For this “deserted island” list, I strongly debated with myself as to whether or not to distinguish between first-person shooters and first-person games. Only then I remembered that I’ve hardly played any FPS’s, strictly speaking, so I opened up the floor to games that only feature the first-person viewpoint, whether or not shooting at things is a primary feature. Having learned to play FPS games on PC in ye olden days, it took me quite a bit of time around to come around to playing them on console…motion sickness and all that. But once I did, my library opened up considerably. Nowadays, in games that allow for switching between third- and first-person, I prefer the latter because it’s more immersive. And if there’s one thing that’s going to come in real handy on my deserted island gaming paradise, it’s pure distraction from the fact that I’m on a deserted island. Let’s roll with the countdown!

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Dishonored

Speaking of immersion, Dishonored is a stand-out title in that regard. It’s a first-person game that’s celebrated for its freedom of choice and atmospheric world-building. In it, you take to the shadows of the plague-ridden, steampunky city of Dunwall as assassin Corvo. Using his supernatural abilities, players can choose to ghost their ways through the entire game, unleash complete chaos on enemies, or work out some combination of both. The game respects whatever path players take, and it’s not afraid to call out the “death dealers”…like me. Boy, I really tried to be stealthy at the start, but I was simply too impatient!

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Metroid Prime

I’ve not made a secret about the fact that I’ve never completed Metroid Prime; would I finally beat the actual Metroid Prime while on my island?? Weeeellll…maybe. I mean, I can’t think of a first-person game that blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and atmospheric storytelling quite like Metroid Prime. It’s not your typical shooter either, as combat takes a backseat to discovery made in isolation, and the game’s generally eerie ambiance is so perfectly, well…Metroid-y.

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Borderlands 2

As an FPS, Borderlands 2 sits somewhere between pure chaos and reckless abandon. Maybe it’s the seemingly never-ending cache of oddball weapons from which to choose, or the cast of unforgettable characters (love me some Claptrap, oh yes I do), or its over-the-top style, but it all comes together in a package that’s endlessly replayable and genuinely hilarious. If there’s one reason that I’ve not played any other Borderlands games, it’s because I honestly don’t think any of them can top Borderlands 2. I know, I know, I should be more open-minded and willing to accept that not all games are perfect, but hey, my island, my rules!

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Doom II

Could it be said that Doom II is the epitome of old-school, first-person shooters? I guess it could, because I just did! The original Doom is iconic, and there’s no arguing that. But with Doom II, id Software refined its formula and made a game that was bigger, badder, and more metal than the first. Try to run and hide all you want, but there’s little between you, your shotgun, and the demon army that’s ready to rip you to shreds. Simply put, Doom II is a killer FPS that I simply cannot do without.

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BioShock

Talk about unforgettable, BioShock is so much more than a first-person experience, shooter or otherwise. It’s a philosophical deep dive into questions surrounding individualism, utopianism, and the limits of ambition. The setting, the underwater city of Rapture, is perfectly bizarre in some ways, serene in others, and blatantly mad all around. The game twists and turns in ways unexpected, and its story masterfully unfolds to showcase one of, quite possibly, the most compelling and memorable revelations in a game ever. Playing BioShock over and over again on my island would be akin to me reading my favorite book – though the ending is known, the journey to is always worth it.

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Lede image © Nintendo.