Valorant by Riot Games is a new highly competitive game that has taken Twitch by storm with its popularity. From its game mechanics to its strategic variety, the game has a lot of what players look for in online gaming.
Unfortunately, the game is currently in its closed beta and can only be accessed with beta key drops. The chances of receiving one is slim, meaning many gamers interested in playing Valorant may have to wait till the game is fully released sometime this Summer. If you're one of these people who have yet to receive access, here are some games that may help satiate that craving for Valorant.
League of Legends
The first game Riot Games ever developed is over ten years old, but League of Legends is still the company's bread and butter with never ending patches based on community feedback that constantly make changes and improvements to the game. This popular game is still growing, and (while not a shooter) it has a lot in common with Valorant. League of Legends is a highly competitive and demanding game that requires plenty of skill, demands huge amounts of teamwork and has a lot of variation in terms of strategy.
The game allows players to choose from a massive pool of champions, is free to play with purchasable cosmetics, has an infinite amount of combinations in terms of item builds and even features an amazing universe full of well-written lore. In fact, there are even some League of Legends Easter eggs that can be found within Valorant, proving just how much Riot Games cares about the game that led to their current success.
Overwatch
A popular game developed by Blizzard, Overwatch is a lot like Valorant. Overwatch is also a highly competitive and skill demanding first-person shooter that requires team cooperation and features a large pool of characters that come with their own abilities and strategies. The characters of Overwatch have different weapons, stats and cosmetics unique to their playstyles.
From Tracer being an incredibly mobile mid ranged assassin to Mercy being a valuable team support, there is a character for everyone. The game also features some in-depth lore and character stories, as well as representation of different ethnicities and sexualities.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
There are a lot of similarities between Valorant and Valve's Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, leading some Twitch viewers to even nickname Valorant "Counter-Watch" or "Over-Strike." Counter-Strike features two sides and two kits players can choose weapons and gear from: Terrorist or Counter Terrorist. Each side is pitted against each other in a game setting that is tactical and strategic. Taking place in a more realistic setting, game strategies are limited to the weapons bought by players at the beginning of each round and the players' teamwork. While these weapons do not cost real money, there are some cosmetic items you can buy, with prices ranging anywhere from one cent to twenty grand.
There are no magical abilities or futuristic sci-fi weapons in this game. Because of this, CS:GO will feel more like Valorant than other games. Riot Games and Valorant players stress the importance of aiming and positioning above all much like CS:GO does, so this could be a good opportunity to prepare yourself for this Summer. The game is free to play and requires a massive amount of skill, lighting fast reflexes, knowledge on the game's guns and encourages the use of its voice chat for strategic call outs.
Fortnite
Epic Games' Fortnite is incredibly popular, demands players to work on their skills and shares a similar aesthetics to Valorant. As a Battle Royale, Fortnite is not a lot like Valorant in terms of genre, but it has become a beast of a game when it comes to lightning fast reflexes, precise aim and teamwork. While there is some strategic variation, it can be argued that, due to randomly generated gun spawns, the game stresses skill over strategy. Fortnite also does not have unique characters with kits or abilities, and players instead rely solely on the gear they pick up along the way, be it a shield to help protect from damage or a shopping cart to travel the arena in style.
Still, much like Valorant, the game requires sharp reflexes and precise aim. It requires gun knowledge like Counter-Strike, where players learn spray patterns, ranges, damages and fire rates. It also encourages the use of the voice chat within player parties for important call outs or strategies. The game is free to play with purchasable cosmetics and a Battle Pass.
Call of Duty: Warzone
Another Battle Royale, Call of Duty: Warzone may be closer to Fortnite in many aspects, but it also shares quite a bit with games like Valorant and Counter-Strike. The game also requires huge amounts of team cooperation and aim. It is a first-person shooter that is fast paced like Fortnite, but which takes place in a more realistic setting like Counter-Strike.
Positioning is also a big key factor, as straying too far from teammates or being too far out of cover can spell the end for an entire team. Learning about the game's guns, how to aim them and having a strong awareness of the map really separates the good players from the rest, much like in Valorant. Call of Duty: Warzone is also free to play.