Best Games To Play If You Love Counter-Strike

Counter-Strike is considered the definitive FPS (first-person shooter) series because of its tactical gameplay. Putting Counter-Strike's nostalgic value aside, the game is genuinely fun, and little has changed since its early days. It's a game that proves graphics aren't everything, and that timeless gameplay trumps everything. Its appeal boils down to its weapon variety, maps, and friendly community.

After hundreds of hours, and then some, into this game, more than one player has reported carpal tunnel syndrome. It might take the jaws of life to pry fans from this game, but seriously, there are legitimate alternative games for those who love Counter-Strike. Nobody's telling anyone to quit, but a break to try something new is a wise idea.

Updated on March 16, 2024, by Ritwik Mitra: Counter-Strike 2 has taken a while to get the ball rolling. Players haven't appreciated how this game has regressed in some aspects when compared to the peak of Global Offensive. Still, Valve has been hard at work bringing Counter-Strike 2 back to the standards that fans expect from this title. Cheaters are ruining a lot of people's fun, so fans can always check out other games in the meantime like this tactical shooter until Valve takes strict action against these players.

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By  Mark Sammut

28 The Finals

A Destructive Shooter With Unique Abilities

Live-service games are a dime a dozen, to the point that most people are wary of any game carrying this moniker. It takes something special for such games to captivate audiences, and The Finals is a great example of one that does.

Made by many ex-DICE developers, shades of Battlefield's destruction mechanics and dynamic gameplay can be seen in The Finals. The parkour mechanics from Mirror's Edge have also influenced the gameplay, making for a one-of-a-kind live-shooter experience that fans can't get enough of right now.

27 Black Mesa

A Remake Of A Legendary Shooter

It would be impossible to talk about the Counter-Strike series without the game that helped it come into existence in the first place. Half-Life is one of the most influential video games ever made, but there are some who find this title a bit too dated for their liking.

For these FPS nuts, Black Mesa is the way to go. This remake of Half-Life expands on levels and adds more depth and gameplay variety to the title. It's a reimagining of the first game that Valve themselves gave the green light to, which is saying something given the studio's high standards.

26 Destiny 2

A Multiplayer Looter-Shooter With Challenging Raids

Destiny 2 learned from its predecessor, making for a smoother launch as the game was critically lauded across the board. It's considered by many to be one of the best looter-shooters around, turning Bungie into an expert in this department.

The game's many expansions continue to add quality content to the experience. Most live service games may be frowned upon, but Destiny 2 shows how things play out when done properly.

25 Payday 3

Heist Gameplay And Team Coordination Feels Great

The Payday series has allowed players to enjoy some truly great heists as people team up to carry out objectives in an enjoyable manner. The release of Payday 3 was hotly anticipated... And it's a shame that the game faced so many issues upon launch.

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The results of being rushed to stores are clear for everyone to see in Payday 3's many technical issues, which is made even worse by the fact that this game actually features some much-needed improvements that are on full display when everything clicks. Hopefully, it won't take too long for this game to reach the heights of greatness it should rightfully aspire for.

24 Hunt: Showdown

One Of The Best PvE Experiences Around

Hunt: Showdown is a great co-op shooter where players team up with other human players or bots to take out nightmarish monsters in the Bayou. The game sells itself with its atmosphere. The simple act of exploration feels incredibly sinister, even when players are experiencing this title with their friends.

When players finally find a monster and try taking it on, they realize how challenging this game can be. Hunt: Showdown pulls no punches, and players will be downed in record time if they don't use every tool in their arsenal and employ effective teamwork to take out their opponents without sustaining too much damage.

23 Deep Rock Galactic

Team Up With Other Players To Take Out Extraterrestrial Threats

Co-op shooters need something special to stand out in a saturated market. Thankfully, the unique premise, well-balanced gameplay, and endless replayability of Deep Rock Galactic make it a great candidate. After all, who wouldn't want to roleplay as space dwarves who face off against hordes of alien monsters over and over again?

It helps that the visuals are bright and dazzling. Players never get bored with the caves they traverse as they deal with numerous monstrosities while having a great time with their friends. Featuring numerous classes and excellent shooter gameplay, Deep Rock Galactic is an excellent title in which a group of friends can have a great time.

22 Hell Let Loose

A Brutal, Unforgiving Look At The Horrors Of War

Players who want a realistic, hardcore shooter that takes no prisoners should check out what Hell Let Loose brings to the table. This game offers a brutal and realistic depiction of war and how fragile human life is in such a situation. Players drop like flies if they try to be heroes.

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While some fans aren't happy with the direction that the game is taking following the takeover by Team17, many people still feel Hell Let Loose is a magical game, and the achievements of Black Matter shouldn't be overshadowed by their recent missteps. Without proper communication and teamwork, players will be overwhelmed by the opposition over and over again, making this game almost feel like a large-scale version of Counter-Strike.

21 Left 4 Dead 2

A Group Of Survivors Battle Waves Of Zombies

Left 4 Dead 2 is one of the most popular FPS titles of all time, made by none other than Valve themselves. So, it's easy to see why this is such an easy recommendation for fans of nerve-wracking shooter. The simple act of surviving becomes extremely challenging.

This game becomes even tougher when players have to deal with special zombies controlled by other players. It becomes a tight and restrictive experience, where the survivors can be isolated and chomped to bits if they aren't careful enough.

20 Splitgate

Portals And Multiplayer FPS Action

Splitgate is a unique FPS game that more people need to check out. Not only is it a decent arena shooter, but it also adds the mechanic of portals that were popularized by one of Valve's most popular franchises.

Forming portals and using them for clever trick shots or quick navigation turned the game into a blast. With more and more content coming for the game, it's easy to see why so many people love Splitgate and its unique take on a competitive multiplayer FPS.

19 Rust

One Of The Best Multiplayer Survival Games Of All Time

Rust is one of the most difficult games that has multiplayer PvP combat. This survival game is brutal and genuinely gives players nothing to start out with, forcing them to scrounge up the most basic items around to live in this harsh world.

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Over time, Rust has grown in popularity and is a blast to play through. Its engrossing gameplay loop makes players feel like they're struggling to survive every second. Once players come to grips with the core facets of the gameplay, they'll find Rush to be an addicting experience.