The Order: 1886: Sony's Soulless Answer to Gears of War - IB Times

[Fusioncode]

greenmedic88 said:

Fusioncode said:
Threads like this always remind me that Gears of War invented the TPS genre.

The TPS genre was invented a little earlier than 2005.

Fade to Black from 1995; one of the first polygon graphic based, over the shoulder shooters for the PS1. 

The original Tomb Raider in 1996 is considered by many to be a TPS even though the game utilizes adventure/exploration and puzzle solving as a large part of the overall experience. But if Uncharted is a TPS, TR is by the same standards.

Syphon Filter 1999; moving towards a tactical, military themed TPS, still maintaining TR's auto aim mechanics.

Max Payne 2001 adds thumbstick aiming to the TPS genre.

SOCOM 2002; military tactical TPS.

 

Even the "pop and drop" play mechanics of Gears of War (Cliff B. was the first to use the phrase) weren't new to the genre, for those who define TPS games by this feature.  

WinBack 1999 was possibly the first TPS game to use a cover system. 

Metal Gear Solid 2 (2001) further developed the play mechanic. 

Kill Switch (2003) was the first TPS to make the cover system a primary part of the play mechanics, complete with a blindfire option. 

Gears of War (2006) was heavily influenced by Kill Switch and used Resident Evil 4's over the shoulder POV. 

Woosh.