Are sci-fi military shooters a trend, this console generation? Am I the only one concerned?

Has anyone else noticed that most of the big AAA shooters that came out last year were sci-fi (aka military sci-fi)? And have any of you found it troubling? I mean two of these were for Microsoft platforms, but I'm talking about games like Titanfall, Halo,
and Destiny, and now even Call of Duty has gotten on the "sci-fi bandwagon".

It seems like when it comes to shooters, every console generation for the last three or so has had a focus on a particular time period. In the sixth generation (Xbox, PS2, etc), aside from Halo I suppose, many of the big military shooters like Battlefiled
and Call of Duty prioritized with World War 2. In the seventh generation, up until 2011/12 , many of these titles were in the present or in the very-near future (the Modern Warfare series being the most obvious example). It seems to me that late in last-gen,
shooters were gradually going further into the future, and by 2014, that peaked with the release of previously stated titles.

Could this be the generation for sci-fi shooters? I kinda hope not.

The problem I have with science fiction is that even though I like it, when it comes to a military setting I prefer it to be grounded in reality, where it's believable and not questionable because of highly-advanced technology and/or a very strange social
order/conflict (looking at you, cyberpunk genre). That to me was the magic of World War 2, Cold War , and Modern war games. That you could (generally) relate to the story because the setting/technology/culture isn't completely out of reach since it
has already happened or it is currently happening. With sci-fi shooter games, the phrases "it could have likely happened" or "it could be happening as we speak" are replaced with "that future is so mind-bending, who knows if it could happen?" (particularly
if it's in the distant future).

I brought this up because even though [military] science fiction gives more flexibility as far as who and what can exist, and gives the writers a better chance to innovate with concepts that don't exist in reality (outside of alternate history), in shooter
games the lack of realism can make it all the more difficult to relate to a story, a character, or a conflict. It can take away from the ability to understand, comprehend, or sympathize - and I personally think in a story involving a war, guns and flying vehicles
(as opposed to a straight-up fantasy non-military game like The Elder Scrolls), if the devs make a promise for a good story, the story and characters should be relatable, and that should be an expectation; something many sci-fi shooter games fall short on
in my opinion (almost always because they're too busy showcasing their tacti-cool guns and tech and mind-blowing locales to focus on character growth or key plot points).

I think Halo is an exception when it comes to the story. It manages to be relatable despite taking place 500 years in the future (and Halo 4 built on the Master Chief's story significantly), but most sci-fi shooters don't achieve that. I would like to see
some variety in time periods and technology this generation, for the sake of better story-telling (something Destiny and Titanfall really dropped the ball on). I'm hoping to see more shooters in the World War 2, Cold War, or Modern era, and soon,
or else by the end of this console generation's run, many shooter games may end up just being another sci-fi game.

And as a side note, I'd be a lot more emotionally compelled to fight back against the enemy if the squad I'd been with most of the campaign was quickly gunned down or even slowly executed by one of the most evil empires of the 20th century
than if I just had to reclaim all that was lost on vaguely-defined terms after a couple of generic-named alien species wiped out all of humanity and it's colonies except for an unlucky lone city that should be ashamed to be given the most generic of generic
city names in one of the most generic of generic sci-fi stories ever told by mankind...
And no, collectible cards only accessible by a website doesn't justify the means. (Sorry... I hate Destiny) Something I fear I'll never experience on my Xbox One. :/

Thoughts?

:)

 

What is there to look forward to next fall?

More shooters... First person, third person, military, squad-based, tacticile, sci-fi, franchises that formerly weren't shooters but now are, etc, etc.





...Oh, did I mention shooters?





And Kinect.

 

Agree/Disagree: Halo is no longer important ?

Only my personal opinion and do not speak for anyone else but Halo did many things right in the FPS genre, but any day of the week I would take a military shooter over a sci-fi shooter. Sci-fi shooters are just too ''imaginary'' for me, they are fun to
play but to mow someone down with a weapon that actually exists is win.

 

Sci-fi shooters have always been around, and besides trends come and go. There becoming more popular because there easy to write, you can just make up technology/weapons.

Oh and Destiny's story sucks because the lead writer left halfway through the project, hence why it just stops dead after the first mission. "watch out for those trip mines!" that never appear in the game again...

 

I do understand were your coming from with the whole "reality" thing though, WW2 games had some really gritty/bloody moments you just don't get from sci-fi. I also agree with you on Halo, i'm currently hoping Halo 5 doesn't ruin one of my favorite franchises,
the multiplayer beta doesn't fill me with confidence

 

I'm more worried about jet packs. Jet packs in every thing.

 

I hope that not everything turns to fast futuristic gameplay and settings. I like all of the halo's and titanfall( not enough content but it's still good) but I would like a few games stay in the past or current.

 

One thing that definitely seems to be a trend at the moment is boosting/double jumping etc, advanced movement is popular this generation.

 

Personally, I strongly prefer historic shooters, be it WWII, Vietnam, and especially the Old West of RDR and Call of Juarez. But I didn't start gaming in any serious way till I got my 360, and my impression from several guys and gals who I have gamed with
is that many who have been at it a while suffered from WWII saturation, which I can understand. Maybe after modern/near-future/sci-fi warfare gets a little old, developers will start looking back in time again.

It is refreshing to play a game without a jet pack or even a red-dot laser. I honestly think at least one of the reasons I enjoy World of Tanks so much is that tanks do not - nor will they ever, I hope - Halo-hop like a jumping bean.

 

I would love a shooter with limited ammo. Youd have to make everyshot count. Few ammo dumps and taking ammo from a body you have to search which takes time and leaves you vulnerable. That'll make you think twice about running over that guy you just killed
to get his bullets.

 

I think I actually like a mixture, so like an old time period setting with futuristic gadgets. Bioshock springs to mind.

 

Battlefield is doing something new with the cops and crooks theme. I honestly think there's a huge market for 'next gen' WWII shooters. Just cos gamers want to see and feel the beach landings with crazy graphics and the like.

Personally I'd love to see some good studio or other pick up something like that old Vietcong IP and do something interesting with it. The hardcore mode in SP and PvE multiplayer was hella fun on PC... I loved the difficulty and atmosphere of that crude-ah
ss-looking game. They went ahead and spoiled it with a meh sequel though.

But yeah, if games like Hardline do really well I don't think you have anything to worry about. I can't see Modern Warfare going anywhere as a 'sub' IP. It's huge. Dumping it would be like 2K/Rockstar dumping GTA.

But if the sci-fi stuff keeps sucking up cash, big publishers are gonna want more of those, until gamers can't take any more, and are bloatedly pointing chubby sci-fi sticky fingers at WWII themed games and belching happily at the prospect of devouring something
different and old... new... something... new again... y'know... err...

Reboot city.

An honest to god 'new' game simply titled Medal of Honor. Marketed to you with no subtitle and a straight face. =)

 

I'd hate that JPep. Imagine getting three quarters of the way through the game only to be blocked from progression because there is no way to get ammunition.

 

I just think people want more futuristic shooters, and sci-fi screams futuristic.

 

@Vaynel

Stealth kills. Melee. Sure you might die a few times but it would force you to analyze the enemies position and plan your attack. I think that concept worked pretty well in escape from butcher bay (ridick).