Highlights

• Overwatch 2 has had a mixed reception among fans, with some disappointed in the changes and developments in the sequel.
• Fans of Overwatch 2 can explore other games like Rainbow Six Siege, Warframe, and Destiny 2 for similar team-based multiplayer experiences.
• While there are alternative games to Overwatch 2, none can completely replicate the unique hero-based gameplay of the original.

Overwatch 2 was released to mixed fanfare, bringing three new heroes to master, a new 'Push' game mode, and some balancing changes like swapping to a 5v5 format with one Tank hero to protect the team. Overwatch already had legions of fans, but long-time veterans of the game may be left feeling slightly disappointed by how the sequel has developed.

That being said, there are still some people who can enjoy a few rounds of Overwatch 2, especially people who have yet to check out this hero shooter for themselves. Thankfully, there are more than enough games like Overwatch 2 that fans can check out if they miss the glory days of this hero shooter.

Updated on February 17, 2024 by Mark Sammut: Overwatch 2 has just launched into season 9, which has felt like a refresh for Blizzard's polarizing free-to-play project. However, if someone would prefer to spend their time elsewhere, they can always check out some games similar to OV2.

Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege

Tactical Warfare

Ubisoft is a company with a pretty mixed reputation in the gaming industry, so fans of Blizzard's games will know what to expect. That said, the studio has developed some truly great games that deserve to be called the best titles of all time, with Rainbow Six Siege continuing to be one of the best squad-based shooters ever made.

The game's popularity is truly massive, with the regular stream of updates ensuring that players can always come back to a game that feels fresh and exciting. Every round of Siege is a tactical battle where players engage in teamwork, positioning, and efficiency to win rounds in a scintillating and engaging fashion.

Warframe

Third-Person Action With Extensive Lore

It's still hard to believe that Warframe is free. The combat and traversal system is amazing and allows players to go all out as they try to look as cool as possible while completing missions and killing enemies in the most stylish manner possible. While it's true that Warframe can get a bit grindy at times, the core of the experience is strong enough to keep players engaged during the slower moments.

The loot that players can find in this game is very rewarding, and there are little to no pay-to-win schemes happening here. This makes for a great time as players perfect their skills in combat and become masters of a live-service game done right.

Destiny 2

Tight Gunplay, But Mostly For PvE

Looter shooters have become all the rage in modern times, with Destiny 2 being perhaps the most popular game in this genre. Bungie has perfected this formula to a T, with industry giants like Sony consulting them regarding their live-service offerings. The first game started out on a rather rough note, with a dearth of content and Peter Dinklage's infamous vocal performance making for a very poor impression.

However, over time, Destiny turned into a great game that was worth checking out for fans of frenetic first-person shooters, with Destiny 2 taking over the mantle and making things grander and more exciting than ever before. The game is absolutely jam-packed with content that will keep players busy for hours on end as they either team up or fight against other players in this incredible FPS title.

Unreal Tournament: Game Of The Year Edition

A Classic That Holds Up

Unreal Tournament is a game that fans of classic arena shooters will instantly recognize. Each and every title in the series pushes forth the notion of pulse-pounding action as players spawn into unique and memorable maps as they get their hands on a wealth of weapons and blast opponents to smithereens while fulfilling the objectives of a particular game mode.

The Game of the Year Edition of 1999's Unreal Tournament is touted by many as one of the greatest multiplayer shooters ever made, and it's easy to see why this is the case. The fast-paced carnage present in each multiplayer session coupled with a memorable single-player mode and a wealth of maps, game modes, and modifiers makes this title infinitely playable to this day.

Halo Infinite

Multiplayer Shooter That, Like OV2, Also Has Had Its Ups And Downs

Halo Infinite is a game that has many parallels to Overwatch. Both series started off with fresh and bold titles that introduced innovative mechanics to the FPS genre while forever changing the landscape of multiplayer gaming, only for later iterations to showcase a lack of creativity in this department while transitioning to a free-to-play structure.

Halo Infinite arguably had a worse launch than Overwatch 2, with the lack of maps and a slow, painful progression structure causing many players to drop the game despite the decent quality of its single-player campaign. The failure of this title's multiplayer caused Microsoft to initiate a huge clearout in 343 Industries, and fans can only wait and see what the future has in store for the Halo series.

Splatoon 3

Accessible Nintendo Multiplayer Fun

Splatoon 3 continues the long-running excellence of the newest Nintendo IP that has churned out hit after hit. Featuring a unique spin on multiplayer shooting gameplay, the idea of covering entire surfaces with ink as opposed to fragging opponents makes for a great gameplay loop that players won't get bored of no matter what.

It helps that Splatoon 3 has a great community and fun single-player modes that add even more game time to a title that is already jampacked with content. Any person owning a Nintendo console who wants to play a unique multiplayer shooter will be more than happy with what Splatoon 3 brings to the table.

The Finals

Team-Based Arena Destruction

The Finals had a very successful launch toward the end of 2023, but it quickly became old news thanks to the debuts of Palworld and Enshrouded. Still, Embark's The Finals is maintaining a respectable playerbase for the moment, even if it has fallen quite a bit in Steam's most-played ranks.

Now, this title is not a 100% unrestricted recommendation to Overwatch fans since it lacks the "hero" element that defines Blizzard's game. However, if someone is looking for a fun free-to-play shooter that focuses on team-based action and features an addictive arena-destruction system, they can do much worse than The Finals. Embark is, naturally, still supporting the project with frequent patches and updates, so this is a good time to jump into this ecosystem.

Team Fortress 2

Valve's "Hero" Shooter Arguably Set The Standard

Team Fortress 2 is one of the most popular games on Steam, and it's no wonder why, with its quirky cast of characters and unique cartoon-like art style. Team Fortress 2, as the game's title suggests, is a team-based FPS that requires players to work together to tackle objectives like gathering enemy intel or racking up kills.

Like Overwatch 2, teamwork, effective communication, and coordination are the keys to success. There is a character to suit every playstyle, whether that be Medic, Scour, Spy, or Heavy, so players can transfer their Overwatch 2 knowledge straight to Team Fortress 2 and get stuck in.

Apex Legends

Battle Royale With Personality

Apex Legends is a unique addition to the gaming scene, combining the Battle Royale formula with team coordination and synergies. There are 60 characters, named Legends, for players to choose from. Similar to Overwatch 2, there are certain roles to fill as each character has unique abilities to aid their team... or themselves.

Players can play in trios and duos or ride solo and plunge into a large, sprawling map that can hold up to 60 players. They land on an island and must immediately scrounge for guns and other supplies to fight against their opponents. The play area in Apex Legends also continues to shrink as players battle to be the last man standing.

Valorant

Popular FPS

Valorant is like the free-to-play love child between traditional FPS Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and hero-based Overwatch 2. Unlike Overwatch 2, however, is that players get to upgrade their weapons using an in-game economic system with the currency they are awarded based on their performance in the last round.

Players get to choose from a list of playable agents, each with unique skills and Ultimates, and play with four other teammates in fast-paced 5v5 battles. Valorant's core game mode offers no respawns; if they die, they will end up as spectators for the remainder of the round. This adds an element of strategy as players will have to communicate with each other and play cautiously to secure the win.

Smite (& The Upcoming Smite 2)

God Moba Instead Of Hero Shooter

Due to the impending debut of Smite 2, its predecessor feels like somewhat old news by this point, which might discourage players from taking the plunge. Also, Hi-Rez's MOBA has been around for roughly a decade, and this genre is not exactly known for being beginner-friendly.

That said, this project is a great alternative to Overwatch 2, and it delivers a massive selection of Gods taken from different mythologies, all of which slot into Smite's class archetypes. Similar to OV, Hi-Rez nails its presentation and combat, with the latter offering a wide assortment of variants to ensure most players find something that suits their preferences.

Paladins

Unique Hero Shooter

Paladins is probably the closest game on the market right now, with gameplay tropes similar to Overwatch 2. There are over 60 playable characters, each organized into four different classes: Front Line, Damage, Support, and Flank. Each character also has an Ultimate ability that charges up while in combat. Overwatch 2 players will feel right at home with a slight learning curve.

Players will face off in traditional team battles with a slight twist, as they can customize their playstyle further with its deck-building system, buffing their heroes. Players can also purchase burn cards, which add extra utility, like reducing the enemy's ability to heal, increasing movement speed, etc. These can be bought using the credits they accumulate while playing. Paladins is a unique hero shooter that is not to be slept on.