Over the years, many FPS campaigns have emphasized gameplay over story. This isn't always the case, though, and video game campaigns have evolved so much in the 21st century that a story now feels just as essential as strong gameplay when considering a new game. Of course, sometimes it's fun to just sit back and revel in story-less gameplay, but a touch of emotional investment takes things to the next level.

Some of the best FPS games of this century have let their gameplay do most of the talking, especially when there's a multiplayer component attached. Beloved shooters like DOOM prove that not every game needs a deep story, but there are a few truly standout FPS titles that prove what a great foundation the genre is for building strong narrative campaigns.

This list focuses on both multiplayer and single-player FPS games that excel in gameplay and storytelling.

One of the most important games in the Call of Duty franchise is Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare. It truly started a brand-new era for the military shooter series by leaving historical conflicts behind and putting players in a modern setting that adds a sharper edge to both the gameplay and storytelling. Sure, the campaign's narrative might not be as in-depth as more recent games, but it's still a solid story for a title that turns 20 years old next year.

Missions like "Aftermath", which depicted a nuclear blast, and "All Ghillied Up", which forced players into a sniper stealth sequence set around Pripyat and Chornobyl, turned up the dial on story intensity.

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