Summary
- 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.
Valorant: Best Ultimates, Ranked
Each in-game avatar has an Ultimate that is stronger than their other abilities, but the best Valorant Ultimates are in a league of their own.
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 February 19, 2025, by Mehrdad Khayyat: After Riot Games' massive success with League of Legends, Valorant was a brand-new adventure for this company in a pretty saturated market, but it did end up quite well for the developer, as Valorant is already one of the most populated competitive shooters.
Being a hero shooter and featuring a Counter-Strike-style gameplay loop, makes it a bit difficult to find a perfect replacement for Valorant, but there are many games that can represent certain aspects of the game even better than Valorant itself.
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
- Released
- May 3, 2016
- ESRB
- t
- Developer(s)
- Gearbox Software
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
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.
Rogue Company
A Competitive Experience With Unique Set Of Game Modes
Rogue Company
- Released
- October 1, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- First Watch Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Third-Person Shooter
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
Featuring cross-platform progression, Rogue Company is one of those free-to-play experiences that probably didn't get the attention it deserved. The game comes with a variety of enjoyable game modes and a competitive ranked experience for those looking to prove their skills.
Each Agent in Rogue Company delivers a unique gameplay approach, as some are built to raise chaos while others lean towards a stealth approach. The good news is players can unlock all the agents by progression through the game. There are no pay-to-win elements and the game also receives limited-time modes from time to time.
Halo Series
The Beloved Sci-Fi FPS Franchise
Halo Infinite
- Released
- December 8, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- 343 Industries
- Platform(s)
- PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- First-Person Shooter
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
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
The Finals
- Released
- December 8, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Embark Studios
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
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.
The Finals: Best Medium Weapons, Ranked
The best Medium weapons in The Finals Season 4 meta are well-rounded and heavily dominate competitive play.
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
Deep Rock Galactic
- Released
- May 13, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Ghost Ship Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
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 2
- Released
- July 25, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Gunfire Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Third-Person Shooter
- OpenCritic Rating
- Strong
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
Bodycam
- Released
- June 7, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
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
- Released
- August 22, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- id Software, Saber Interactive
- Franchise
- Quake
- Platform(s)
- PC
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
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
- Released
- September 15, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- 1047 Games
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Fair
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
Destiny 2
- Released
- August 28, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
- Developer(s)
- Bungie
- Franchise
- Destiny
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Stadia
- Genre(s)
- FPS
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
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.