What is Overwatch?
Overwatch is the latest game to come from Blizzard Entertainment (the same folks who gave us games like World of Warcraft and Hearthstone) and it is currently the gaming world’s biggest obsession. It was recently announced that the game possesses over ten million active users. Overwatch is a game belonging to a genre that many of us are already familiar with — it’s a team-based, objective-based first-person shooter. Players select from a variety of heroes, with each hero playing a specific role in the team’s overall offensive or defensive scheme. Two teams (consisting of six heroes each) face off against each other in an effort to capture certain objectives and win the match. With a fun artstyle, a diverse cast of characters, and familar yet refreshing gameplay, Overwatch has turned a lot of heads.
They’re not the only game that is able to succeed in the team-based shooter space, however. If you’re looking for a game similar to this, there’s no shortage of options to choose from.
5. Splatoon
Not only that, but Splatoon also boasts a colorful and creative art style that has been met with a tremendous amount of praise. It’s fun to play, fun to look at, and fun to involve yourself with. However, there are a few key factors that keep this game from being a more ideal Overwatch alternative. To begin with, the game is exclusive to the Wii U platform. This limitation makes the less accessible, and it also limits the size of the online community. Although it’s considered one of the “must-haves” of the console, it’s still disappointing that such a fun game will probably be limited (and eventually culled) due to its exclusivity to a platform that a lot of people think is on the verge of death.
4. Lawbreakers
I really wish that I could place this promising title a little higher on this list, but it’s hard to justify it without having played the game myself. However, like I mentioned, I think that this game has a lot of potential. Within the next couple of years, it could become a major player in the team-based shooter space, and I highly recommend that you try to get your foot in the door before it blows up. Because I’m sure it will.
2018 Update: You can now play the lawbreakers alpha by signing up at lawbreakers.com for the Alpha testing which will be taking place throughout the summer!Â
3. Battleborn
Battleborn’s gameplay is a little unusual, in that it’s not entirely a shooter. The game also integrates a lot of mechanics from MOBA-style games, which is a hit-or-miss thing for a lot of people. Personally, I think that Overwatch, with its plethora of characters and abilities, is also kind of MOBA-inspired. However, Battleborn is definitely a little more blatant about it. If you’re looking for a game that isn’t afraid to take risks, I think that you should give this game a try. Ignore all of the negativity that’s surrounding it right now, and just try to enjoy it for what it is — a fun, inoffensive, slightly above-average team-based shooter.
2. Dirty Bomb
The game’s developers make a conscious effort to ensure that the game is as well-balanced and fresh as possible. Frequent updates add new heroes, maps, and events. I think that the death of a lot of these free-to-play shooters is that infrequent (or inconsistent) updates result in a stagnating player community. This fast-paced shooter has no problem avoiding this pitfall, and it has developed a very loyal player base because of it. However, optimization issues have plagued this game for quite some time, and many of its players complain that the game’s finer details (like lag, cheaters, and balance) aren’t paid enough attention to.
1. Team Fortress 2
As arguably the most popular free-to-play shooter on Steam, Team Fortress 2 has an enormous player base that shows no signs of shrinking anytime soon. Semi-regular updates and events keep the community interested, and the game is constantly introducing new gameplay mechanics to give players a certain sense of progression in an otherwise goal-less game. Whether you’re looking to play casually or competitively, there will always be people who are on the same level as you in the game. This is a game that thousands of players have logged thousands of hours into, and that’s with good reason. Team Fortress 2 essentially created a formula that would be effectively used over the course of years of game development, and if you can’t play Overwatch right now for whatever reason, you might as well take a look at where it all started.