There was a time when games revolved around single-player adventures, whilemultiplayer modes were seen as additional bonus content. Gaming has changed since then, though. Nowadays, many of the biggest games are multiplayer-focused titles.
That said, some of the most significant games still provide single-player story modes or campaigns, even if they often feel like bonuses more than main selling points. Therefore, you may consider skipping them altogether. You shouldn’t do that in the following games, though, as their single-player modes are definitely worth playing.
The legacy of the Mario Kart series has been built on the back of throwing shells at your friends and having them slip on banana peels. Yet, you can enjoy these games alone with the Grand Prix mode. This mode is at its best in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe.
In this mode, you race against a bunch of AI drivers in various cups. Each one contains a collection of unique tracks. Even without other human players, the races are fast-paced and competitive.
The original Titanfall game didn’t have a dedicated story mode. However, one was added for Titanfall 2. Since it’s a sequel to a multiplayer-only game, you’d be forgiven for expecting Titanfall 2’s campaign to feel tacked on. That is not the case, though. The campaign is actually really entertaining.
The story follows rifleman Jack Cooper and a Titan named BT-7274 as they’re stranded on a planet. It’s a bit like a buddy cop movie with the two having great chemistry and sharing fun banter together. As the duo, you make your way through plenty of exciting and well-designed levels, in which you experience some fun FPS action.
For a long time, Call of Duty has been primarily known as a PVP multiplayer series. The games still provide single-player campaigns, too, though.One of the best in recent memoryfeatures in Black Ops 6. The game revolves around a group of rogue agents that are working in the shadows to hunt down a dangerous paramilitary group.
The narrative gets a bit wild and perhaps overly complex at times. However, the missions are very well-designed and contain a great variety. There are stealth sections, horror elements, a heist, and more throughout the campaign. It means things stay fresh and never get repetitive.
The story campaign in Battlefront 2 may be short, but it’s engaging nonetheless. Much of the intrigue it creates comes from the narrative. You’re in the shoes of an Imperial Officer, meaning you work for the evil Galactic Empire, fighting against the Rebels. This isn’t a role you always get to play in Star Wars games. However, there is more to your character that just being evil. She wrestles with her morality throughout the game.
As for the gameplay, it offers satisfying first and third-person gunplay like in the multiplayer portion of the game. Plus, there are some nice environments and solid mission design.
Super Smash Bros. Melee was released on the GameCube back in 2001, so it isn’t a game that offers online multiplayer. Yet, local multiplayer has always been the main selling point of this platform fighter. You and a bunch of friends putting beatings on each other is what this game is all about. That said, it also includes a single-player adventure mode.
In this game mode, you select a character and work your way through different levels that combine platforming with fighting. So, you jump across obstacles and punch enemies in the face. There isn’t a story to follow, but there is a nice mix of levels, and it’s enjoyable to play.
Fighting games aren’t historically known for their story modes. Instead, the most appealing thing about these games is the chance they give you to beat up a friend or stranger online.
That is also the main appeal of Street Fighter 6, but the game also has an enjoyable story mode called World Tour. In this mode, you create a fighter and head around the world battling in tournaments. Along the way, you receive training from classic Street Fighter characters and get mixed up in an underground conspiracy. The narrative isn’t anything special, but it’s engaging, and the fights are fun.
While theHalo games have always had good single-player campaigns, it’s fair to say that a lot of the player base puts more focus on the multiplayer aspects of these titles. The story mode in Halo Infinite should not be ignored, though. It offers some fantastic missions, great FPS gun fights, exciting vehicles, and a nice open world to explore.
That open world is a Halo ring that you’re on, and while there, the iconic Master Chief is attempting to stop a group known as the Banished. The narrative is decent, and it includes some well-written emotional scenes, along with a bit of humor.
Like most Battlefield games, Battlefield 1 offers some great multiplayer action. Yet, its single-player campaign shouldn’t be overlooked. It contains a series of separate small campaigns, also known as War Stories.
They allow you to see a range of perspectives on World War 1, as you play as different soldiers in differing situations. So, you may be flying a plane in one campaign, while driving a tank in the next. This adds a lot of variety to the experience. Plus, most of them are very well-designed and entertaining to play.
