The diversity of gameplay perspectives has increased throughout the years in gaming, but there's no denying that the classic top-down view has seemingly faded from most AAA games. Instead, many focus on either first-person or third-person. Both perspectives have their advantages, and depending on playstyle, some people might favor one over the other.
However, there are also those games that have decided to break the mold and offer access to both options. The nice thing about this is that it includes the best of both worlds, with first-person providing an immersive experience for activities like driving or shooting, while third-person allows for greater situational awareness during combat or exploration. It adds an extra layer of depth to the game, providing players with more control over their experience.
8 The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrim
The Elder Scrolls 5: Skyrimcontinues the long-running tradition of this series of allowing players to switch seamlessly between first-person and third-person perspectives. The first-person perspective arguably makes battles more engaging, which is a boon since even the most ardent fans of Skyrim would agree that combat in the game is pretty floaty and unsatisfying at times, especially in third-person.
Meanwhile, the third-person perspective grants a broader view of the game world and lets players see their character's looks in a more dynamic manner.
7 Red Dead Redemption 2
Considered by many to be Rockstar's magnum opus, Red Dead Redemption 2 employs an impressive engine that switches between first and third-person gameplay seamlessly. For the most part, fans will experience RDR2 in third-person as most people would expect from a classic Rockstar game.
That being said, players should still try the first-person perspective if they want to spice up the gameplay. It increases the degree of control during shooting, riding, and hunting, among many other actions.
6 Fallout: New Vegas
Fallout: New Vegas uses the Gamebyro engine, which supports both first-person and third-person viewpoints. It's possible for fans to switch between the two modes at any given time.
Considering how many people prefer shooting their way through the game's countless conundrums, it's easy to see why first-person is the way to go more often than not. However, those who want some gameplay variety can definitely go through a chunk of this title in third-person, even if it may not be the most optimal way to enjoy this experience.
5 Grand Theft Auto 5
Grand Theft Auto 5 initially launched with only a solitary viewpoint, which was to be expected from a developer that was known for its third-person open-world experiences. However, after the advent of the next generation of consoles, Rockstar revealed the true potential of their game engine.
In a first for the series, players could now go through the entirety of Grand Theft Auto 5 in first-person, which was incredibly revolutionary for its time. Never had a perspective change been executed with such polish, and Rockstar's reputation reached new heights after displaying its technical prowess.
4 PUBG: Battlegrounds
A battle royale title that took over the world by storm, PUBG: Battlegrounds continues to be quite popular to this very day despite the over-saturation of its genre. The first-mover advantage clearly worked for PUBG, with its lengthy matches and tactical gameplay being lauded by fans across the board.
The game features both first-person and third-person perspectives, with the latter considered to be superior given how it gives a better view of the surroundings and any incoming threats. That being said, first-person perspective is there as an option for those who prefer it.
3 Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines
Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines is an amazing blend of immersive sim and RPG gameplay, and it's a shame that this title was completely swept under the rug upon launch. The title allowed players to go through the game in both third-person and first-person, barring a few exceptions.
Melee weapons could only be used in third-person, and players could only wield firearms and converse in first-person. Aside from these restrictions, the game could be played in whatever way players saw fit, making Vampire: The Masquerade - Bloodlines even more accessible and alluring for fans of great western RPGs.
2 Chivalry 2
Chivalry: Medieval Warfare was a massive success across the board, becoming a surprise hit thanks to its tight combat controls and chaotic multiplayer. The hack-and-slash gameplay was further refined for the second game, which served as a great sequel that became praised across the board.
Another new addition that was lauded in Chivalry 2 was a camera that could switch between first and third-person regardless of whether players were on foot or on horseback. It was a much-welcome update that could either let players focus on their attacks or witness the grand scale of the sheer brutality present in every multiplayer session.
1 Thief: Deadly Shadows
After the first two Thief games defined what a proper stealth title could be like, it was clear that the third game had big shoes to fill. While the end result may have many mixed opinions, many players liked the suite of changes brought about in Thief: Deadly Shadows.
The game allowed players to move around in either first or third-person, which was a first for the series. Regardless of what fans may think about this game, there's one opinion that is almost universally agreed upon — this game, even with its flaws, is still miles better than the sequel in every way.