Most Shooter Games Have Abandoned a Tactic That Goes Back to the 1990s

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I’ve always enjoyed playing shooter games, even though I’m not a particularly skilled player. I used to find success, especially in Halo: Reach, by focusing on close-range weapons – things like melee attacks, shotguns, and grenades. Since I wasn’t great at aiming, these weapons were reliable because they didn’t require pinpoint accuracy. However, newer shooter games have changed in a way that’s forced me to adapt my usual strategy.

I really enjoyed a feature in older games like Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II that’s now missing from most shooters. It was all about ‘cooking’ grenades – timing them perfectly so they exploded right when you threw them. Mastering this skill let you get creative kills, but modern games don’t allow for that timing anymore.

The Lost Art of Cooking Grenades

Knowing how to properly use a grenade – specifically, priming it and throwing it after a short delay – was a valuable skill that’s largely forgotten today. This technique allowed soldiers to quickly eliminate opponents before they could escape. However, it was tricky to master; holding the grenade for too long could result in a wasted throw, or even accidentally injuring yourself.

Most game series have stopped letting players cook grenades – that is, hold onto them to delay the explosion. Even Battlefield 6, which is similar to Call of Duty, no longer includes this feature. Now, grenades simply let you aim better before throwing, and they always explode after a set amount of time. While grenades are still useful for clearing out enemies, they aren’t as thrilling or risky as they used to be in older games.

I used to love a risky tactic: running full speed at the enemy team with a lit grenade, especially if I knew several of them were grouped together. I didn’t mind sacrificing myself if it meant taking out multiple opponents, and there was nothing better than clearing a room so my team could secure the objective. Throwing the grenade wasn’t enough, because they could potentially move away in time. But by holding onto it until the last second, I could guarantee it exploded right where they were.

Modern Games Focus On Aim Rather Than Timing

Popular shooting games like Apex Legends, Valorant, Fortnite, and Battlefield 6 all focus heavily on aiming, moving, and using abilities effectively. A good example of skillful gameplay used to be “cooking” grenades – timing the fuse perfectly to throw them at just the right moment. This allowed players to force enemies out of hiding spots, push through narrow areas, or punish those who stayed in one place for too long. It was a risky but rewarding technique that felt great to pull off. Now, this feature is gone from most games, and with it, a unique skill and some of the unpredictability it created.

What really changes things up in shooter games is the grenades. Each game handles the timers differently depending on the type you toss. I’ve noticed Arc Raiders does a great job with this. Some, like Blaze Grenades, blow up the second they hit something, which is awesome. Others, like Heavy Fuse Grenades, give enemies a few seconds to panic before they explode. And then you’ve got the ones you can detonate whenever you want, giving you total control over the timing – that’s my favorite!

A skill that’s becoming rare in many games is the ability to softly toss or lob grenades. Counter-Strike used to be the best at this, letting players skillfully bounce flashbangs off walls, roll smoke grenades onto objectives, or gently arc grenades over obstacles. It felt less like throwing and more like carefully placing them. Now, Call of Duty is one of the few games that still offers this feature, and many players hope it makes a comeback.

Do Grenades Even in Belong in the Shooter Kitchen?

This leads to the core issue: What caused grenades to change over time, and should they keep changing, or go back to how they used to be? Many game designers now seem focused on making grenades easier to use, prioritizing accessibility in the fast-paced world of competitive multiplayer games. The complex process of ‘cooking’ a grenade can lead to mistakes, accidental self-injury, and unreliable throws – all of which can be discouraging for new players. A simple, direct throw keeps the game flowing smoothly and predictably.

Predictability isn’t always ideal in shooting games. If all grenades travel at the same speed and follow the same path, they become less distinct. Different types of grenades – like frag, EMP, and flashbang – begin to feel like simple tools rather than strategic choices. Older games allowed for more variety in how grenades were thrown – like soft tosses or letting the pin cook – giving each one a unique feel. Removing these options simplifies the moment-to-moment gameplay. Furthermore, modern shooters often prioritize fast-paced action, and the act of ‘cooking’ a grenade can slow things down, even if it adds a new layer of strategy.

I think we can bring back the tactic of ‘cooking’ grenades, and it could actually make shooters more accessible. Instead of needing to master complex character abilities, players could use simple grenade techniques to create exciting moments. For example, gently tossing a grenade over cover built suspense, rolling one into a room forced enemies to react, and bouncing it strategically could open up new team plays. Reintroducing these options would add a lot more strategy and meaningful choices to the game.

Bringing back classic grenade features wouldn’t be a radical change for most games. Grenades don’t need to be a central focus, but they could be much more useful and interesting than they currently are.

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2025-12-05 19:44