Games To Play If You Love Valorant

Key Takeaways

• Deep Rock Galactic offers a unique co-op experience for fans of tactical shooters with its space-dwarven miners and scintillating combat.
• Remnant 2 takes the challenging co-op shooter gameplay of its predecessor to new heights with expanded roguelike elements and stunning art design.
• Quake Champions may not be the most popular game, but it still delivers a blast of arena shooter action with modern enhancements, making it different from most other multiplayer shooters.

It’s been incredible to witness how much the free-to-play multiplayer scene has exploded with online games. Every company is trying to get a piece of this craze and while many titles can bleed together and seem derivative of each other, it’s also pushed some developers to challenge the genre and come up with something fun and different. Valorant made a strong impression on audiences during its beta phase, but it’s recently put out its full release and allowed players to see what it’s all about.

It’s a satisfying tactical first-person shooter, but there are many games out there that conjure a similar vibe. Valorant may have a gameplay loop that can be pretty unique in its own right, but that doesn’t mean that other titles can’t scratch that itch, either. There are several titles in the same vein if players love the gameplay loop of this title, hitting the same notes in some way or the other and letting players enjoy some truly pulse-pounding gameplay that is incredibly tense yet satisfying.

Updated on November 17, 2024, by Mehrdad Khayyat: Valorant is one of the fastest-growing shooters in the industry, and players have not only lost interest in playing it, but the community has become even bigger and bigger day after day. And that’s because Riot Games always knows what it’s doing!

Finding competitive games at the same level as Valorant might not result in more than a few options, but by loosening the strict filters and focusing on each strength point of Valorant solely, there are many great games out there that can give players a satisfying experience.

This list is not limited to competitive games, but rather it focuses on games that feature gameplay aspects similar to that of Valorant.

Battleborn

One Of The First Hero Shooters That Has Become Relevant Once Again With A Fan Project

Battleborn was one of the first live-service shooter games to come out that was perfectly serviceable but didn’t do anything too major to help it stand out from the rest of the pack. As a result, the player base of this title dwindled to the point where it eventually stopped receiving any support and was quietly taken off the market.

It’s a shame since the lack of developments in this genre has made it clear that Battleborn did many good things that were pretty underappreciated at the time. Fans have given this game a revival of sorts with Battleborn Reborn, a fan-led project that lets players check out the single-player campaign in its entirety.

Halo Series

The Beloved Sci-Fi FPS Franchise

Aside from its captivating settings and narrative, Halo is also known for its skill-based gunplay, which enables competitive PvP action. The multiplayer mode in Halo evolved with each new entry, even though the campaign had its shortcomings some time. Even Halo 5: Guardians, with all the campaign criticisms, excelled in delivering a competitive multiplayer experience.

With Halo Infinite leading the series now, the multiplayer experience has evolved even more. Although the game experienced a rough launch in the beginning, 343 Industries did not give up and the support from Halo Infinite continued to make a top-notch competitive shooter. The game still receives new content and it has a decent player base.

The Finals

A Destructive Class-Based Online FPS With Shades Of The Battlefield Series And Mirror’s Edge

Veterans from DICE banded together to create a live-service shooter that would help the series evolve in a new direction, and The Finals doesn’t disappoint. The focus on parkour movement coupled with destructive maps makes for a cathartic multiplayer experience that fans can’t get enough of.

Sure, the game has some kinks that need to be ironed out, but this is the case for every live-service shooter in its early goings. The Finals has settled upon a brilliant formula, and it’s up to Embark Studios to ensure that they maintain this hype instead of turning the game into a bloated experience with later updates.

Deep Rock Galactic

An Excellent Co-op Shooter Full Of Character And Style

The idea of playing as space-dwarven miners in extraterrestrial worlds and taking out a wealth of unique enemies sounds like a great time, and this is just one of the many reasons why Deep Rock Galactic has become such a massive hit. Fans of Left 4 Dead who want a different take on this zombie co-op shooter’s gameplay will love this title for its great visuals, scintillating combat, and roguelike nature.

No playthrough feels the same, allowing players to have a great time with their friends as they engage in multiple playthroughs to try and complete missions in the most efficient manner possible. There’s a fair bit of tactical planning involved in this game that will feel right at home for fans of Valorant, but the focus on PvE gameplay means that most players can enjoy the catharsis of violence instead of having to second-guess everything from their movements to the target they’re trying to take down.

Remnant 2

An Excellent Evolution Of The First Game And The Best Soulslike Co-op Shooter On The Market

Remnant: From the Ashes was a brilliant mix of Soulslike gameplay and third-person shooting that could be incredibly challenging at times. Players had to be very careful about engaging enemies, and playing in co-op was always a plus for players who appreciated the help as they took down enemies and bosses together. So, while fans of the first game were excited to see what Remnant 2 had to offer, no one expected the sequel to be such a huge step up from its predecessor.

The roguelike elements from the first game were expanded upon considerably, with the art design and gameplay being simply spectacular. Players couldn’t be faulted for just taking a break and appreciating the scenery… that is until a horde of enemies decided to ambush them in the hopes of taking the heroes out in no time flat. Remnant 2 is an excellent game that fans will have a great time with, especially if they love challenging co-op shooters.

Bodycam

An Ultra Realistic PvP Shooter Experience

For those looking for a fresh, never-before-seen competitive shooter, Bodycam is probably a must-play. The game’s primary selling point is its realistic visuals, which make it feel like the player is actually walking and shooting in a real environment.

When playing Bodycam, it is quite difficult to set boundaries between the game and the real world, and that’s one of the main challenges in this game because players will have to control recoil, hear defeating gunshots, and keep their aim at their targets while excessive muzzle flash blocks their sight.

Quake Champions

A Fun Arena Shooter With Frenetic And Fast-Paced Shooting

Quake Champions was a valiant attempt by id Software to bring back the age of the arena shooter with some modern enhancements as well. While the title isn’t the most popular game around, Quake Champions is still a blast to play through, especially if players manage to round up some friends for a great time.

The free-to-play nature of this title means that players can easily get into this title without any monetary investment, although progression does slow to a crawl as a result. It’s a shame that Quake Champions didn’t attain the long-running popularity it deserved, since it’s genuinely quite different from most other multiplayer shooters out there.

Splitgate

Combines FPS Gameplay With Portals To Make For An Unforgettable Multiplayer Experience

Splitgate combines the hectic action of first-person shooters with the ingenious use of portals to make for an FPS that has immense depth when it comes to its gameplay. There’s nothing more satisfying than setting up a portal to target an opportune place and take out multiple enemies without too many issues.

Splitgate‘s gameplay can take a while to get used to, especially for players who are used to regular FPS action and forget to use the immensely helpful portals in this game. However, with a bit of practice, players will be deftly setting up portals and taking out enemies without a care in the world.

Destiny 2

MMO Shooter With Satisfying Gunplay And Loads Of Weapons

While Destiny 2 is far bigger than a competitive shooter, it does feature a multitude of PvP game modes. Most gamers know Destiny 2 for its incredible raids and dungeons, as well as the story-based missions, but the game does give value to those who have mastered gunplay.

Aside from the classic PvP game modes, Destiny 2 also delivers some special competitive events during each season such as Trials of Osiris and Iron Banner. These events remain active for a limited time, but players who manage to level up and get the objectives done are rewarded with higher-tier PvP weapons.

Insurgency: Sandstorm

A Tactical Shooter Where Players Need To Function As A Team To Attain Victory

Players who love the tactical side of Valorant‘s gameplay will get a ton of mileage out of Insurgency: Sandstorm. This game is unlike most other popular squad-based FPS shooters out there, with tactics being key to attaining success. Any player who decides to take matters into their own hands will be shot down faster than they can blink, which speaks volumes when it comes to how tough this game is.

Players need to use every tool in their arsenal to get an edge over their opposition, with everything from tactical grenades to flanking maneuvers being key to attaining success. It can take some time to get used to the brutal gameplay of Insurgency: Sandstorm, but players who understand the depth of this game and its tactics can form great strategies to win against their opponents time and time again.

League Of Legends

A Legendary MOBA Where An Optimal Team Of Heroes And Teamwork Is Necessary To Attain Victory

League of Legends is a game that everybody loves to parody and criticize now and then. This title, along with DOTA 2, started the wave of MOBA gameplay that has slowly bled into other genres as well.

Regardless of one’s personal opinion when it comes to League of Legends, there’s no denying that the game is mechanically sound and brilliant at creating engaging scenarios for the player to participate. Each multiplayer session takes a long while but is pretty satisfying when players manage to beat a tough team.

Call Of Duty Series

Fast-Paced Multiplayer Shooter With A Variety Of Game Modes

Call of Duty is probably one of the easiest competitive shooters to enter to. Unlike Valorant or other hero shooters that require the player to know how each hero works and how they can counter their abilities, Call of Duty delivers a simple shooter experience.

Of course, there are still a few things to master in Call of Duty too, such as learning how to move around the map faster, or how to aim better. However, these are just the basics of every competitive shooter. So, at the very least, there is nothing extra to lengthen the learning curve in Call of Duty.

Borderlands 3

The Borderlands series is still trucking along and blowing people’s minds with its exaggerated take on the end of the world and the dissolution of society. Borderlands 3 doesn’t mess with its pre-established formula, but it leans into its strong foundation and eccentric characters.

There’s chaotic energy in Borderlands 3 that complements the apocalyptic story and decision-making that the characters must work through. Borderlands 3 features the same polished art style and dark sense of humor as its predecessors and is the perfect title for gamers who want something a little more absurd than Valorant.

Fortnite: Save The World

An Online Third-Person Shooter That Is Nothing Short Of A Worldwide Phenomenon

Before the battle royale version of Fortnite sucks all the bullets out of a player’s virtual gun, bear in mind, this isn’t the only way to play this popular FPS. Fans of a methodical and planned approach that sets Valorant apart will appreciate this mode of gameplay in Fortnite.

Teams of four have to cooperate to survive a post-apocalyptic world overrun by “husks,” which are zombie-like creatures. In addition to fighting the zombies, players have to work together to defend their base, rescue survivors, and gather resources.

Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2

A Light-Hearted Hero Shooter Based On A Beloved Franchise

While Valorant is a competitive game, it also has unranked and other chill modes to just have fun with no need to worry about ranks. For those who are in love with this aspect of Valorant, games like Plants Vs Zombies: Garden Warfare 2 could deliver great fun moments.

The game takes the beloved characters from the Plants Vs Zombies franchise and translates their abilities into a first-person shooter. It’s more of a fun and chill game that doesn’t take itself seriously, but that doesn’t mean players won’t enjoy the game. It does come with a variety of unique heroes, each one fitting a different playstyle.

Blindfire

Shooting In The Dark Without Night-Vision Goggles

• Developer: Double Eleven
• Platform: Xbox Series X|S and PC
• Release Date: 17 October, 2024 (Early Access)

Many shooter games take players to dark environments and give them night-vision goggles to deliver an immersive experience, but Blindfire does the same in a very different way. The game is a competitive, team-based PvP shooter set in dark arenas. Players don’t have night-vision goggles, but they have access to a scanner that can reveal the position of enemies for a brief period.

As a result, players will lean more on the sound cues, and they really need to shoot when they are sure about sporting the target, otherwise the shot burst will just expose their position to the other enemies.

Team Fortress 2

A Multiplayer FPS Brimming With Charm

Team Fortress 2 came out over a decade ago and even though the team-based multiplayer shooter community had grown exponentially in that time, Team Fortress 2 helped set the mold and continuously received updates that kept the game feeling vibrant and alive.

Admittedly, the game’s community is smaller now, but it’s a testament to how gameplay doesn’t have to be overly complicated to connect. Valorant is an evolution of Team Fortress 2, but for people who want a bit of a retro touch to the game then this is the right alternative.

Tom Clancy’s The Division 2

A Fun Looter-Shooter Set In A Desolate World That Features Both PvP And PvE Elements

For the longest time, Tom Clancy titles like Rainbow Six focused on grounded espionage and tactical shooters. The list of games has greatly expanded, and the more recent The Division series posits a futuristic setting that’s in the throes of a pandemic.

The Division 2 improves upon the original and makes sure that its powerful story and tactical gameplay work together. The Division 2 is a game where nihilism just works, and it’s the ideal choice for those who want a more depressing and gritty experience.

Escape From Tarkov Arena

A Gritty, Realistic FPS Where Tactics Are Critical To Attain Victory

Escape from Tarkov‘s setting and story are fictional but intended to mimic real life. Two private paramilitary organizations are using the fictional region of Nork as their battleground, and the main objective of the game is revealed in the title.

In Arena, the developers take the same gunplay but add a more competitive flavor to it. So, instead of exploring the brutal maps and scavenging for valuable loot, players are only tasked with killing each other in Escape From Tarkov Arena on small, close-quarter maps. The good thing about Escape From Tarkov arena is the fact that it uses hero-style characters, and players can unlock them by making progress. Each character comes with a fixed loadout, which makes the entire experience a bit more challenging.

Apex Legends

A Legendary Hero Shooter That Needs No Introduction

Apex Legends is one of the most popular free-to-play first-person shooters of the last decade, and although it doesn’t stray too far from the basics of the battle royale genre, it executes these fundamentals better than most of its competitors.

The game works due to its varied and engaging combat, as well as its seasonal approach that progressively feeds players new content. The battle royale fad isn’t in any danger of dying down, but as certain titles fade out of the spotlight, it seems like Apex Legends will remain a major contender with a huge fanbase.