Because I have spent most of my video game life as a casual gamer, I always had the tendency to look for titles with a short learning curve. In other words, I preferred games with which I could have fun without needing to train in advance. Needless to say that puzzles and some fighting games were my favorites by far. I enjoyed myself a lot with them. Since the launch of the Xbox 360 though, an increasing curiosity made me change the course of my gaming experience.

I was one of the lucky people who got their console at launch and had the chance to get a one-month trial of the Xbox Live Gold for free. Not that I had major plans for it, but since it was there, why not using it?

The key point was: I had to play online if I really wanted to take full advantage of my Gold membership. For the rest, there are no differences between the two services.So, I decided to go Live. The first thing I had to do was finding people to play with. I had never been on Xbox Live before and I knew no one who could lend me a hand and show me around. Then, joining a couple of Internet forums proved to be a good solution. Some were formed by older gamers, others had members from all ages, but there was one thing they all had in common. By asking people what they were playing at the moment, I learned that the most popular genre among participants was the same everywhere. The First Person Shooters, or FPS's, were the hit no matter with whom I talked to. 

Suddenly, I started feeling an urge to join those people as well. The only problem was the fact that I had to overcome the barrier of not being an expert in that kind of game.I had been playing for quite a while, but I never really cogitated being more serious about shooters, even though I didn't have an explanation for that. I began to wonder what the secret to the success of the genre was. What was it that made games like Halo 2 so popular? What had I been missing for all those years? I believe that when you want to learn about something, the easiest way to gather information on it is by digging in. So I did it.There was this copy of Perfect Dark Zero at home and I decided to face it. And, to make it memorable, I went straight online. 

I was completely lost during the few moments I managed to survive, but I was impressed.It was not only my first time playing online against other gamers, but it was the very first time I was trying a shooter seriously. All my previous experiences had never lasted more than a round or two and they served merely to prove myself that it was not something for me.This time, it was completely different though and a seed was planted. Despite having to spend some time away from the 360 console, the will to improve my shooting skills didn't allow me to go back to Tetris Worlds just like that.One day, I just got all the shooters for the Xbox original I discovered at home and started trying them, one by one, until I found the title that could help me "get there".

And, to make it memorable, I went straight online. 

It was TimeSplitters Future Perfect. Nothing against the single player mode, but I only had eyes for the multiplayer. I was getting close to understanding the passion arose by the genre. When I put my hands back on the 360, the habit became almost an addiction. The schedule I had been following was not enough anymore. I didn't simply want to play, but I was eager to become good on it. So, every day there was a warm-up session with TimeSplitters, followed by training with PDZ. By this time, I also started asking about hints and stuff all around the Internet. No one escaped my interrogations. I wanted to know everything about game settings, weapons and so on.Looking back at my old button-smashing days makes me wonder how I could spend so much time without FPSs. I was getting close to understanding the passion arose by the genre.

Still, there was one game I needed to try and it was Halo 2. Even though some shooters had already been released for the 360, I couldn't help asking myself why such an "old" title was still the most played online. In general, I am not into the Run and Gun idea. I am much more into sneaking behind my enemies and catching them by surprise. The idea that I had to get accustomed to it was not that pleasant to me. Besides, I had to play against people who knew all the maps by heart when I was still learning the controls.In spite of the cons, I had to give it a shot.  Unfortunately, after some team kills and a lot of frustation, I gave it a break. It took me quite some time before I decided trying it again. I guess it happened mainly because I didn't need to depend on a certain game to proceed.

I could take detour and move on without causing any damage to my aspirations. Back to my routine, I began to see the matches from a totally different perspective.It is true that the 360 offers amazing graphics and features, but the variety of the gameplay started to interest me as well. With PDZ, I had the choice of using ultra-modern weapons in environments that went from rooftops to forests and ruins. The sci-fi elements were present both in the single player with its fantastic quests and in the multiplayer's virtual reality where bodies simply desintegrated in front of my eyes.

Call of Duty 2, on the other hand, used the World War II as base for telling its story. Instead of high-tech scenarios, I was introduced to battlefields that made part of mankind's history and had the chance to "defend" different nations in the course of the action. Staying alive gained a more realistic meaning. Another representative of the next-gen shooters was Quake 4 with its fictional creatures who seemed to have as main hobby the annihilation of humans. The dark environment of the game, inhabited by all sorts of disfigured monsters, challenged me and the fans of the serie off and online. All the games fascinated me. However, the title that has especially caught my attention so far is without a doubt Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter.

Working as a team is the key in Tactical Shooters

It has so many new elements added to the already famous serie that it is impossible not to like it. Whether one is fighting rebels in Mexico City (single player) or in Nicaragua (multiplayer), it is hard not to be impressed by the game's diversity and intensity. Cutscenes like the explosion of the American Embassy and the helicopter flights between levels are amazing to say the least. I know this is just the beginning of my affair with shooters. My collection still awaits Battlefield 2: Modern Combat, Far Cry Instintic Predator and the future releases. The thing is that now that I know this brand-new world of possibilities better, I can't help wanting more. Shooters are not only about violence as an outsider might first think. With the aid of the online services, there is a lot of socialization going on.

Working as a team is the key in Tactical Shooters, for example. Besides, one gets to know a lot of other gamers since the genre is so popular. It is not a biased experience either. Even those who believed it was a man-only universe are forced to surrender to the female invasion on their matches. And they do great! Whatever your personal preferences may be, and if you haven't played any FPS yet, don't wait for too long to give it a try.

Join the group of those who, like me, have recently come aboard this adventure. Whether playing Stealth-based, Action/Adventure or First Person Adventure games, there is always room for some fragging, sniping and great time.Enjoy this fantastic experience and free the Rambo asleep inside of you!

Article by BM2 Love Angel

Be first to comment this article

Write Comment
Please keep the topic of messages relevant to the subject of the article. Personal verbal attacks will be deleted. Please don't use comments to plug your web site. Such material will be removed. Just ensure to *Refresh* your browser for a new security code to be displayed prior to clicking on the 'Send' button. Keep in mind that the above process only applies if you simply entered the wrong security code.
Name:
E-mail
Homepage
Title:
BBCode:
Comment:
	I wish to be contacted by email regarding additional comments
	MathGuard security question, please solve: PH5 1NH T M 4 W KLE W 9E3 XYL 2 I L T5X 6 8TX

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
Modified by Rhyze with MathGuard for Xbox Users Group :)