The vast majority of the shooters currently available on consoles all stick to the same basic formula: you move through some sort of trigger, enemies arrive, you (hopefully) dispatch them, and then move on to the next trigger. I understand that may be a bit of an oversimplification, but that appears to be the basic game design. I am not completely apposed to that design, I understand that in most cases it comes out of technological necessity, however, I am apposed to it when the trigger-based design it is blatantly obvious to me as the player. I think part of the solution to an more engaging single player campaign may have been elucidated by Metal Gear Solid 4. During a recent play-through of MGS4 I purposely engaged heavily in the various paramilitary vs. rebel battles presented. Although there are some obviously scripted elements in those battles, I didn't get the same trigger-design feeling that I have grown accustomed to in traditional shooters.
The best example of what I am talking about occurs as you are working your way up to save Naomi in South America. When you near the paramilitary base you find yourself in the midst of a massive battle between rebel and paramilitary forces. Unlike a typical shooter battle the end-objective does not hinge upon annihilation of your enemy (because it is a Metal Gear Solid game the objective is covert oriented - which may end up in another blog post); I can fight as much or as little as I want. The freedom that a more open ended battle provides, from my point of view, is much appreciated. Once I understand my objective, I can decide the best way to proceed to meet that goal. If that means taking-on all enemies, so be it, however, it may be equally as effective to focus on a few specific targets. For me, having options of how you can proceed through a game is more enjoyable than facing wave after wave of enemies, only changing in number, location, and/or intensity as you progress.
I want to stress that I am only speaking about the single player shooter campaign. The multiplayer component of shooters is, of course, different. There are generally no triggers or scripted events, which is part of the lasting appeal of the multiplayer mode.
What are your thoughts on the shooter genre? Do you agree/disagree? Do you have suggestions of games that I should look to (besides COD4 and Battlefield: Bad Company - those are on my list)?
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