History Main / CameraPerspectiveSwitch

* Games running on ''VideoGame/{{Unreal}}'' [[GameEngine Engine 2]] usually have a key (F4 by default) bound as a third-person key, letting the player change perspective when on-foot or in a vehicle (which otherwise default to first- and third-person, respectively). However, some games consider it a cheat (''VideoGame/KillingFloor'', for example, only allows you to use it in singleplayer and prevents you from leveling perks or unlocking Achievements until you restart the match if you do).

* The 2008 ''AloneInTheDark'' game had the ability to switch between first person and third person. Generally speaking its easier to notice things in third person but easier to control in first.

* ''Franchise/{{Metroid}}''

* The first ''{{Halo}}'' game was noted for this when it first came out. Normally you see in first-person perspective, through Master Chief's eyes, but whenever you climb into a vehicle the game switches to third person to give you a better view. The game also switches to a third person camera when the player dies.
* ''VideoGame/DeusExHumanRevolution'' features first-person gameplay that occasionally switches into third person, such as when taking cover.
* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 3}}'' and ''VideoGame/FalloutNewVegas'' allow the player to voluntarily switch between first and third person perspective, though the game will automatically switch to third person during a character's death animation.
** Also, if the player is using V.A.T.S. the camera will occasionally switch to a dramatatic third-person shot whenever an enemy dies, showing their death in slow motion.
* ''{{Albion}}'' has a first-person 3D perspective for dungeons and a third-person isometric perspective for most other places.
* ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' also allows the same 1st/3rd person camera system as ''Fallout 3'' and ''New Vegas'', as does its direct sequel ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', although the former was considered largely unplayable in third person.
* In the ''MetroidPrime'' series, the camera switches to the third person while in Morph Ball mode.
** ''OtherM'' is mostly played in third person, aside from firing missiles or the grapple beam, where you must tilt the wiimote towards the screen to go into first person mode. The problem here, of course, is that you can't move while in first person.
* In the 3D ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games, your view switches from third to first person when using the bow or other items that can be aimed anywhere (Except the boomerang, where the camera hangs over Link's shoulder).
* Franchise/MetalGear games switch between 1st & 3rd person depending on the actions the player is performing. If you are crawling through tunnels, guiding Nikita missiles or aiming with certain weapons, the view is 1st person. Otherwise, it is 3rd person. Certain versions of the game allowed the player to voluntarily change to first-person, and from the second game onwards the player can aim weapons in first-person.
* In ''VideoGame/GodOfWar III'', the perspective temporarily shifts from third-person to ''second''-person as Kratos delivers a beatdown on [[spoiler:Poseidon]].
* {{Minecraft}} allows the player to toggle into 3rd person view.
* The 2008 ''AloneInTheDark'' game had the ability to switch between first person and third person. Generally speaking its easier to notice things in third person but easier to control in first.
* The CallOfDuty series, in it's multiplayer iterations, will switch a player's view to third person as they die, and then will rewind and switch to the ''opposing player's view'' (second-person perspective) to show how they were killed (known as the "killcam").
* LegoRockRaiders: The game gave you the option of playing things from a Rock Raider's perspective. What makes this a somewhat unique example is that this game is an RTS. You can actually take direct control over a Rock Raider and move him around. While not very practical, it was mostly useful for the fun of it in a low-pressure mission.
* A battle in ''RatchetAndClankUpYourArsenal'' goes into second person perspective as a monster chases you down a halll - that is, the camera is from the monster's perspective.
* ''VideoGame/{{Portal 2}}'''s co-op mode will switch the player's perspective from 1st to 3rd when performing a taunt/dance.

* Likewise, ''VideoGame/VampireTheMasqueradeBloodlines'' switches between first-person and third-person views in certain contexts, such as conversations, and the player can switch between the two at any time. Interestingly, the game will automatically switch to a first-person perspective whenever the player equips a firearm, although it is possible to fire a gun in third-person - it's merely incredibly awkward.
* ''VideoGame/{{Hitman}}'' games from the second one onwards allow switching to first-person view (though some animations, such as lockpicking, still force a third person view).

* VideoGame/TeamFortress2 switches to third person when you perform a taunt. This can also be useful for looking round corners to see if there's an enemy player or a sentry ahead (or taking them by surprise with a taunt kill).
* VideoGame/BatmanArkhamAsylum had an involuntary one in the Joker TV room near the Penitentiary. You come into the room, everything is in first-person (unlike the rest of the third-person game) and the Joker comes on the TV and delivers a chilling BreakingLecture.

* ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsIVOblivion Oblivion]]'' also allows the same 1st/3rd person camera system as ''Fallout 3'' and ''New Vegas'', as will its direct sequel ''[[VideoGame/TheElderScrollsVSkyrim Skyrim]]'', although the former was considered unplayable in third person.

* MetalGearSolid games switch between 1st & 3rd person depending on the actions the player is performing. If you are crawling through tunnels, guiding Nikita missiles or aiming with certain weapons, the view is 1st person. Otherwise, it is 3rd person. Certain versions of the game allowed the player to voluntarily change to first-person, and from the second game onwards the player can aim weapons in first-person.

* ''{{Oblivion}}'' also allows the same 1st/3rd person camera system as ''Fallout 3'' and ''New Vegas'', as will its direct sequal ''{{Skyrim}}'', although the former was considered unplayable in third person.

* Games running on {{Unreal}} [[GameEngine Engine 2]] usually have a key (F4 by default) bound as a third-person key, letting the player change perspective when on-foot or in a vehicle (which otherwise default to first- and third-person, respectively). However, some games consider it a cheat (''VideoGame/KillingFloor'', for example, only allows you to use it in singleplayer and prevents you from leveling perks or unlocking Achievements until you restart the match if you do).

* ''{{Hitman}}'' games from the second one onwards allow switching to first-person view (though some animations, such as lockpicking, still force a third person view).

* Likewise, ''VideoGame/VampireTheMasqueradeBloodlines'' switches between first-person and third-person views in certain contexts, such as conversations. Interestingly, the game will automatically switch to a first-person perspective whenever the player equips a firearm, although it is possible to fire a gun in third-person - it's merely incredibly awkward.

* TeamFortress2 switches to third person when you perform a taunt. This can also be useful for looking round corners to see if there's an enemy player or a sentry ahead (or taking them by surprise with a taunt kill).

* Likewise, ''VampireBloodlines'' switches between first-person and third-person views in certain contexts, such as conversations. Interestingly, the game will automatically switch to a first-person perspective whenever the player equips a firearm, although it is possible to fire a gun in third-person - it's merely incredibly awkward.

* ''CommandAndConquer: Renegade'' is a FPS that switches to third person when riding a vehicle or climbing a ladder. It also allows you to switch to third-person when on foot.

* ''{{Fallout 3}}'' and ''FalloutNewVegas'' allow the player to voluntarily switch between first and third person perspective, though the game will automatically switch to third person during a character's death animation.

* In the 3D ''Franchise/TheLegendOfZelda'' games, you view switches from third to first person when using the bow or other items that can be aimed anywhere (Except the boomerang, where the camera hangs over Link's shoulder).

* In the 3D ''TheLegendOfZelda'' games, you view switches from third to first person when using the bow or other items that can be aimed anywhere (Except the boomerang, where the camera hangs over Link's shoulder).

* MetalGearSolid games switch between 1st & 3rd person depending on the actions the player is performing. If you are crawling through tunnels, guiding Nikita missiles or aiming with certain weapons, the view is 1st person. Otherwise, it is 3rd person.

* In GodOfWar III, the perspective temporarily shifts from third-person to ''second''-person as Kratos delivers a beatdown on [[spoiler:Poseidon]].

* Games running on {{Unreal}} [[GameEngine Engine 2]] usually have a key (F4 by default) bound as a third-person key, letting the player change perspective when on-foot or in a vehicle (which otherwise default to first- and third-person, respectively). However, some games consider it a cheat (''KillingFloor'', for example, only allows you to use it in singleplayer and prevents you from leveling perks or unlocking Achievements until you restart the match if you do).

* {{Portal}} 2's co-op mode will switch the player's perspective from 1st to 3rd when performing a taunt/dance.
* Left4Dead will switch to third person mode during some actions, such as when your character is applying a first aid kit, or when you've been knocked off an edge and are holding on for dear life.
* The ''JediKnight'' series automatically switches between first-person and third-person view, when you switch to a ranged weapon or lightsaber, respectively. You can manually switch to third-person with a ranged weapon, but after ''Jedi Outcast'', not to first-person with a saber.

* ''[[DeusExHumanRevolution Deus Ex: Human Revolution]]'' features first-person gameplay that occasionally switches into third person, such as when taking cover.

!Examples:

* Likewise, ''VampireBloodlines'' switches between first-person and third-person views depending on whether you equip a ranged or melee weapon.

* The ''JediKnight'' series automatically switches between first-person and third-person view, when you switch to a ranged weapon or lightsaber, respectively. You can manually switch to third-person with a ranged weapon, but not to first-person with a saber.

* ''CommandAndConquer: Renegade'' is a FPS that switches to third person when riding a vehicle or climbing a ladder.

Also This is specifically about the camera switching perspective ''in-game''. Cut-scenes depicting the action from a different perspective don't count, since this is specifically done for the story, not the gameplay.

* ''{{Hitman}}'' games from the second one onwards allow switching to first-person view (though some animations, such as lockpicking, still force a third person view).

* Left4Dead will switch to third person mode during some actions, such as when your character is applying a first aid kit, or when you've been knocked off an edge and are holding on for dear life.