With so many team-based shooter games vying for players’ attention these days, one particular standout is “Valorant.” Launched in 2020 by Riot Games, this one revolves around teams of five taking on an opposing team in objective-based matches. While the gameplay leans heavily into first-person combat, the game’s growing cast of characters have their own distinct traits and abilities. A hit with players worldwide, “Valorant” has taken great strides to make esports more inclusive while keeping the competitive spirit running hot.
For “Valorant” players who are looking for something similar but a bit fresh, there are plenty of online hero shooters and tactical action games to enjoy. These games also place a strong emphasis on coordinated gameplay, but also are just ridiculously fun to play. We’re taking a look at the games that most capture clear qualities from the Riot Games’ hit title. Here are the five best video games like “Valorant” that fans should consider checking out next.
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
The “Rainbow Six” series has been a major presence in tactical shooters for nearly 30 years, and it’s transitioned to online multiplayer in impressive fashion. 2015’s “Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege” has retained its popularity with fans of the franchise for over a decade, presenting them with an enjoyably intense experience. One team serves as the attackers while the others are the defenders, with objectives ranging from defusing bombs to hostage rescue. This attack-and-defend premise gets an interesting wrinkle thanks to the level of environmental destruction available to gamers, significantly affecting the strategy.
“Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege” has similar objectives as “Valorant” with a more pronounced tactical shooter edge. Like other “Rainbow Six” games, there is a strong emphasis on teamwork and strategic planning, but the action itself is relatively fast-paced, keeping players coming back for another match. Ubisoft has also been supporting the game with fresh content for a long time, without ever changing up the core gameplay and appeal of the title. One of the strongest online Ubisoft games in years, “Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege” magnificently leans into its tactical shooter premise.
Apex Legends
As Blizzard Entertainment popularized the hero shooter genre with the original “Overwatch,” Electronic Arts brought its own distinct title to the genre with “Apex Legends.” Players form small teams with a number of colorful characters, or Legends, as they clash with opposing squads in a battle royale arena. EA has supported the 2019 game for years, increasing the amount of Legends and refining the gameplay steadily. Simply put, “Apex Legends” isn’t the same game it was when it first started, and is largely better for it.
“Apex Legends” is arguably the biggest outlier on this list, featuring a much larger scope than “Valorant” and the other titles here. The main game modes don’t feature the objective-oriented gameplay of the other entries on the list, instead placing small teams in a battle royale frenzy. But the hero shooter elements are certainly here, as is the importance of coordinated teamwork in order to emerge triumphant. Seven years after its launch, “Apex Legends” is still worth playing and provides its own twist to the hero shooter and battle royale genres.
Overwatch (2023)
Originally released as “Overwatch 2” before it was rebranded three years after its full launch, the 2023 iteration of “Overwatch” remains a prominent hero shooter. The game retains the series’ 5v5 team battles, while it has begun incorporating a renewed focus on narrative elements based on its extensive roster of playable characters. There are dozens of characters to choose from, with Blizzard Entertainment regularly adding more, each with their own unique abilities. Combat unfolds primarily from a first-person perspective with different objective modes to choose from, including capture points and tug-of-war.
While there are a lot of differences between “Overwatch” and its sequel, the newer title retains a lot of the charm from its 2016 predecessor. This includes numerous quality of life improvements and a continued wave of post-launch content to keep the experience fresh. As far as hero shooters go, albeit not tactical shooters, “Overwatch” resembles “Valorant” the most with its stylized presentation and broader gameplay elements. A major focus for Blizzard Entertainment for years, “Overwatch” is still worth checking out and has come a long way since its 2023 debut.
Counter-Strike 2
When it comes to tactical shooters, “Counter-Strike” holds the crown as the biggest franchise in the genre. A staple for nearly 30 years, the best “Counter-Strike” games lean into easy pick-and-play action while emphasizing tight teamwork to get the job done. This extends to “Counter-Strike 2,” the latest mainline entry in the Valve Corporation’s long-running first-person shooter series. “Counter-Strike 2” is one of the most feature-rich titles in the franchise, retaining the core gameplay and modes while adding new elements to keep things interesting.
While not a hero shooter, “Counter-Strike 2” has a lot in common with “Valorant” in terms of their gameplay mechanics. Both are team-based first-shooters with the most popular mission objective involving bomb placement or defusal, depending on the team. Players also have a wide selection of weapons to choose from, and the emphasis on tactical action is notably strong. When it comes to online tactical shooters, it’s hard to argue against a classic, and “Counter-Strike 2” delivers.
Marvel Rivals
Though it’s played from a third-person perspective, “Marvel Rivals” is one of the big hero shooter titles of the current era. Launched in 2024, the game lets players choose from the iconic heroes and villains of the Marvel Universe, each with their own unique abilities. Two teams are assembled in each match, going head-to-head over a set of opposing objectives in chaotic action. The game also features 18v18 modes as teams embark on a frenetic deathmatch to see who reigns supreme.
Upon its launch, it quickly became clear that “Marvel Rivals” is far more than an “Overwatch” clone, something its developer, NetEase, has only improved upon since. The game is just pure joy to get into, and a well-coordinated team makes all the difference in accomplishing objectives to secure victory. NetEase has regularly supported the game with additional content, including bringing in new playable characters and even seasonal PvE modes. A remarkable hit that we keep coming back to, “Marvel Rivals” definitely earns all of its hype.
