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.

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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 May 8, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Multiplayer games that focus on tense shooting gameplay need to do something fresh and unique to stand out from the rest of the pack. In Valorant's case, the game combined the tactical goodness of Counter-Strike with the hero shooter genre perfected by Overwatch to make for a sublime combination that came out of nowhere and continues to wow fans to this day. Players who love everything that Valorant brings to the table will be more than pleased to check out other titles in the same vein, of which there are many. These titles may differ in some way or the other, but the competitive goodness of Valorant is something that is common across every title featured here.

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.

Borderlands 2

A Classic Co-op Shooter Full Of Character, Coupled With An Amazing Cel-Shaded Art Style

One of the greatest co-op shooters ever made, players need only clock in a few hours in Borderlands 2 to figure out why this game was such a massive success. The comedic writing, charming art style, and serviceable gameplay all combined to help players enjoy a solid FPS that they could enjoy quite a bit with a group of friends.

A major reason why Borderlands 3 failed to impress fans and viewers was because of the lackluster writing when compared to its predecessor, showing just how effective the writing in this game really is. Even now, people can jump into Borderlands 2 and have a great time, even if the combat can feel a bit dated at times.

Halo Infinite

The Latest Entry In The Beloved Sci-Fi FPS Franchise

It's a shame that a ton of controversies prevented players from looking at Halo Infinite with an objective lens, especially since the improvements made to the single-player mode, coupled with the solid gunplay, made it a worthy entry in the series. Unfortunately, multiplayer is a huge part of the experience, and Halo simply didn't live up to fan expectations in that department.

However, that shouldn't prevent players from giving this game a shot and enjoying the continuation of Master Chief's story. The retconning of certain elements in past Halo games may not have been the best step to take for the franchise, but players still love the solid gameplay of this title that shines in both single-player and multiplayer modes.

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.

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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.

Halo: The Master Chief Collection

A Re-release Of The Greatest Halo Games Ever Made, With The Multiplayer Intact And As Enjoyable As Ever

The launch of Halo: The Master Chief Collection was far from a perfect one, with many players facing issues when it came to the multiplayer side of things. The campaigns were as tight and engaging as ever, but people who wanted to play in the iconic Halo maps with their friends were disappointed at how many technical issues bogged down the entire experience.

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However, 343 Industries realized that these woes were detrimental to the legacy of this remastered collection and worked extremely hard to try and rectify these issues. This was a fruitful endeavor, with many people eventually labeling The Master Chief Collection as one of the greatest remasters of the modern era. The sheer amount of content present in this compilation is massive and allows new players to get into the Halo franchise and experience the overarching story firsthand.

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.

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.

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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.

Genshin Impact

A Gacha Game Where Players Control Numerous Powerful Characters To Utilize A Wealth Of Interesting Powers

Genshin Impact is one of the best gacha games that has turned many players around when it comes to the mechanics of this genre. For a free-to-play game, the sheer amount of content in Genshin Impact places it a cut above the rest of the games in this genre.

Coupled with a slow stream of updates and compelling lore, Genshin Impact has turned into one of the better and more engaging open-world games around. The similarities to Breath of the Wild are welcome, with the game world looking absolutely beautiful at times.

The Outer Worlds

A Fun Sci-Fi RPG With Great Gunplay And A Fun Story

The Outer Worlds is a stunning package where Obsidian Entertainment has put together a sleek and creative action RPG game. The Outer Worlds is a brilliant journey from beginning to end. Players must explore and survive several foreign planets, among other settings, but the narrative is parsed out in an innovative way based on how other characters are encountered.

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The game forces players to consider who they trust and what they believe. It's also set within an engaging, quirky, and unique futuristic setting in which massive corporate entities control most aspects of day-to-day life, which helps make the story just as entertaining as the gameplay.

Counter-Strike 2

The Latest Entry In A Legendary Tactical Shooter Series

The fifth game in the popular series, this installment continues the tradition of a gameplay loop that consists of two teams with opposing objectives. Specifically, Counter-Strike 2 pits a group of terrorists against a team of counter-terrorists. It's available on a variety of platforms and is also free to play.

It is possible to start as a solo player and use the game's matchmaking services to find a team, which will be easy because this is one of the most popular games on the Steam platform. While its launch was met with a somewhat mixed reception, which is understandable considering it updated the most-played game on Steam of the last decade, Counter-Strike 2 is largely a positive experience, and it will be around for a long time.

Borderlands 3

The Third Entry In A Beloved Co-op Looter-Shooter Series That Is Fun, If Somewhat Unremarkable

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.

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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.

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 Rainbow Six Siege

A Genre-Defining Tactical Shooter

This FPS is focused on planning and teamwork, and the objectives include environmental destruction and player cooperation. Each player chooses an Operative with unique skills to bring their strengths to the group, and although each character comes with a unique kit of tools and abilities, each one is either an Attacker or Defender.

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There are several different gameplay modes that teams can use in both PVE and PV formats. Missions include defusing a bomb, rescuing hostages, or taking control of certain locations or objects.

Control

A Destructive Third-Person Shooter With Many Imaginative Powers

Control is a phenomenal spin on the third-person shooter genre, and it features a bunch of the ideas seen in titles like Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order but doesn't bring along with it the baggage of the Star Wars franchise.

Control brings psychic powers and reality-bending abilities into the arsenal of the protagonist, which turns many tired shooter staples into reinvigorated designs. It also builds a fantastic universe that’s full of amazing sci-fi concepts. Control is still a very fresh title and if there's any justice a sequel will eventually be on the way.

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.

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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

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.

The developers intended this game to be gritty, realistic, and hardcore, so death means losing almost every item acquired. That's one of the reasons Escape from Tarkov is only available on Windows and has been in closed beta mode since 2017. However, it has a dedicated following and is a must for those dedicated to playing a more grounded FPS.