8 Games Where You Can Switch Between First And Third-Person Gameplay
Summary
- Many games offer the ability to switch between first and third-person camera views, which can impact gameplay.
- Titles like Metal Gear Solid 4 and Fallout 3 utilize different viewpoints for stealth, combat, and exploration.
- Games like Minecraft and Red Dead Redemption 2 provide players with camera freedom to adjust their experience.
These days, games often allow you to manipulate the camera to your liking. For the most part, this means having the freedom to spin it around your character, which allows you to look around and see things from a different angle.
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PostsHowever, games don’t often give you complete camera freedom as that would likely be bothersome to control while you’re trying to play the game. That said, some games do allow you to switch between first and third-person viewpoints. This can change the experience of a game rapidly. Here are some titles that allow you to do that.
8 Metal Gear Solid 4: Guns Of The Patriots
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LikeMetal Gear Solid 4: Guns of the Patriots
Stealth Systems Released June 12, 2008 ESRB M For Mature 17+ due to Blood, Crude Humor, Strong Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence Developer(s) Kojima Productions Publisher(s) Konami Engine Havok Prequel(s) Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty, Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater (2004) Sequel(s) Metal Gear Solid 5 The Phantom Pain Franchise Metal GearWHERE TO PLAY
PHYSICALMetal Gear Solid 4 is more known for having some of the longest cutscenes in gaming than it is for excellent stealth gameplay. However, it actually offers both. Part of what makes the gameplay so great is its use of both first and third-person camera views.
For the most part, you play in the third person. You walk around, crouch, and crawl all in third person. You can also aim in third person and use the reticle on screen to aim. Alternatively, you can press a button and aim in first-person. This makes use of the sight on your gun and allows you to get more precise shots. Since MGS4 is a stealth game, precision is key, as one bullet to the brain can take someone out quickly, while a bunch of shots will more likely alert people.
7 Minecraft
Minecraft
Sandbox Survival Systems 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 90/100 Critics Rec: 84% Released November 18, 2011 ESRB E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence Developer(s) Mojang Publisher(s) Mojang Engine LWJGL, PROPRIETARY ENGINEWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALMinecraft is all about giving you freedom and allowing you to experience the game as you see fit. So, it makes sense that it also allows you to select your own camera view. At any point during the game, you can cycle between different cameras.
By default, you're in first-person, but you can switch to third-person. There is also another viewpoint where your character is directly facing the camera. It's unclear how you would play like this. But the traditional first and third-person options work well. That said, the game does feel more designed for first-person play.
6 Fallout 3
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Like Follow FollowedFallout 3
Action RPG Systems Released October 28, 2008 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs Developer(s) Bethesda Game Studios Publisher(s) Bethesda Softworks Engine Gamebryo Franchise FalloutWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONBethesda RPGs are known for allowing you to switch between first and third person freely. So, of course, this is a feature in Fallout 3. In the action RPG, you can click a single button to change your camera angle instantly. Therefore, whether you're exploring the large open world or fighting the monsters within it, you can select your camera view.
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PostsFirst-person does feel a bit more natural in combat, but third-person does allow you to be more aware of what's around you. Plus, you create a character at the start of the game and can equip different clothing during the adventure, but you can't see any of it in first-person, so that is another benefit of switching to third-person at times.
5 Ark: Survival Evolved
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Like Follow FollowedARK: Survival Evolved
Survival Systems 1.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 61/100 Critics Rec: 13% Released August 29, 2017 ESRB T for Teen: Blood, Crude Humor, Use of Alcohol, Violence Developer(s) Studio Wildcard Publisher(s) Studio Wildcard Engine Unreal Engine 4WHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONArk: Survival Evolved is a survival game that's set in a world filled with dinosaurs. You wander around this dangerous place in first-person, but you can switch to third-person if you want to see more of your surroundings.
On PC, you do this by hitting a single key. The process is more involved on other systems, but you can still do it in-game. The game is a bit easier in third-person, which is likely why many multiplayer servers don't allow you to switch to the viewpoint. Still, it's a nice option to have on other servers.
4 Red Dead Redemption 2
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Like Follow FollowedRed Dead Redemption 2
Action Adventure Systems 5.0/5 10.0/10 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 95/100 Critics Rec: 94% Released October 26, 2018 ESRB M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol Developer(s) Rockstar Games Publisher(s) Rockstar Games Engine RAGEWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALRockstar has generally been a developer of third-person games, but it has started to include first-person features in its titles. One example is Red Dead Redemption 2, which is among the studio's best games. By default, the game is played in third-person, but you can cycle between different cameras with the press of a button. One of the options is a first-person view.
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PostsGunplay feels a bit more satisfying in first-person, and the viewpoint gives you a closer look at the game's small details. However, moving around can take some getting used to if you're used to playing Red Dead in third-person. Riding around on a horse can also be tricky, as it's easy to lose a feel for which way the animal is facing.
3 Star Wars Battlefront
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LikeStar Wars Battlefront (2015)
First-Person Shooter Third-Person Shooter Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 71/100 Critics Rec: 33% Released November 17, 2015 ESRB T For Teen Developer(s) DICE Publisher(s) Electronic Arts Engine Frostbite Multiplayer Local Co-Op, Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONThe game does force you to play in third person when you're controlling one of the special hero characters, such as Luke Skywalker.
When it comes to multiplayer shooters, there are first-person ones and third-person ones. Yet, Battlefront combines the two. With the click of a button, you can instantly change between the two viewpoints.
As this is a PvP game, the natural instinct would be to select a viewpoint that gives you the biggest advantage in battle. However, neither really has a significant advantage over the other. In third-person, you can see what's around you better, but it's easier to be more accurate in first-person. Plus, both forms of gameplay feel smooth and intuitive.
2 Forza Motorsport
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Like Follow FollowedForza Motorsport (2023)
Racing Systems 4.0/5 OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 84/100 Critics Rec: 89% Released October 10, 2023 ESRB t Developer(s) Turn 10 Studios Publisher(s) Xbox Game Studios Engine Forza TechWHERE TO PLAY
SUBSCRIPTIONThe ability to change between first and third-person camera views isn't a new concept for the racing genre. These types of games have had the feature for years. Forza Motorsport doesn't just give you the basic options of either first or third-person camera. The game also offers different versions of each.
Admittedly, for third-person views, you just get different levels of zoom. The first-person options are deeper. You can get the driver's POV, the cockpit's POV, the hood's POV, and the bumper's POV. The driver's POV would technically be the first-person one, as you're seeing from the driver's eyes, but they all provide first-person-like views. And you can switch between each one on the fly during a race.
1 PUBG: Battlegrounds
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Like Follow FollowedPUBG: Battlegrounds
Battle Royale Systems OpenCritic Reviews Top Critic Avg: 77/100 Critics Rec: 57% Released March 23, 2017 ESRB T for Teen: Blood, Violence Developer(s) PUBG Corporation Publisher(s) PUBG Corporation Engine Unreal Engine 4 Multiplayer Online MultiplayerWHERE TO PLAY
DIGITALPUBG is one of the best battle royale games ever. Like the others, it's all about outliving all of the other players on the map. Fighting or hiding are two perfectly fine methods of accomplishing this. Whichever method you prefer may also impact what camera view is best for you.
After all, with one button, you can quickly switch between first and third-person perspectives. In third-person, it's easier to see nearby enemies, making it perfect for those trying to hide. In first-person, it's harder to see what's around you, but it does allow you to aim better. So, you may be best flicking back and forth during a match.
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