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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28 The Finals

A Destructive Shooter With Unique Abilities

Cube-the-finals
The Finals

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
December 8, 2023
Developer(s)
Embark Studios
Genre(s)
FPS

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

0_0008_Black Mesa
Black Mesa

Platform(s)
PC
Released
March 6, 2020
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter
Developer
Crowbar Collective

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 Emote Ready For Anything Titan wearing Mask of the Quiet One Exotic Helmet
Destiny 2

Platform(s)
PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One , PC , Stadia
Released
August 28, 2017
Developer(s)
Bungie
Genre(s)
FPS

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

payday-3-masked
Payday 3

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
September 21, 2023
Developer(s)
Overkill Software
Genre(s)
FPS

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

A scene for a hunter to panic
Hunt: Showdown

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
February 22, 2018
Developer(s)
Crytek
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

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

deep rock galactic mining dwarves
Deep Rock Galactic

Platform(s)
PC , PS5 , PS4 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S , Xbox One
Released
May 13, 2020
Developer(s)
Ghost Ship Games
Genre(s)
FPS

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

0_0005_Hell Let Loose
Hell Let Loose

Platform(s)
PS5 , PC , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
July 27, 2021
Developer(s)
Black Matter
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

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 Coach and Ellis
Left 4 Dead 2

Platform(s)
PC , Xbox 360 , Linux , macOS
Released
November 17, 2009
Developer(s)
Valve
Genre(s)
Shooter

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 space screenshot
Splitgate

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S
Released
September 15, 2022
Developer(s)
1047 Games
Genre(s)
FPS

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 first person view of player using bow and arrow
Rust

Platform(s)
macOS , PC , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
February 8, 2018
Developer(s)
Facepunch Studios
Genre(s)
Survival

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.

18 Quake Champions

Channels The Early Days Of Multiplayer FPS Gaming

Quake Champions
Quake Champions

Platform(s)
PC
Released
August 22, 2017
Developer(s)
id Software
Genre(s)
FPS

Most people consider arena shooters to be a thing of the past, now that more realistic variants have become prevalent in the modern landscape of gaming. As a result, most people might find it easy to write Quake Champions off as nothing more than a way to cash in on the nostalgia around this genre, which was easily one of the most popular video game genres at one point.

However, Quake Champions is actually a fun title that can easily grow on players who decide to give this game a shot. The Quake series is legendary as is, and this modern title in the franchise is a blast to play through with its flashy combat and interesting arenas.

17 DayZ

Forces Players To Survive The Zombie Apocalypse

Image from DayZ showing a player sitting down peacefully on a grassy hill.
DayZ

Platform(s)
PC , Xbox One , PS4
Released
December 13, 2018
Developer(s)
Bohemia Interactive
Genre(s)
Survival

Another survival game makes its way on this list in the form of DayZ. This game takes place during a zombie outbreak where players must avoid the infected while salvaging anything useful from their surroundings to survive in this harsh landscape.

While players can certainly band together to take out the infected, there are others who find it easier to shoot other players down so that they can loot their equipment. DayZ is a pretty savage game that doesn't take any prisoners, and players need to be focused every step of the way if they don't want any threat — infected or human — to catch them unawares.

16 PUBG: Battlegrounds

A Legendary Battle Royale

PUBG
PUBG: Battlegrounds

Released
March 23, 2017
Developer(s)
PUBG Corporation
Genre(s)
Battle Royale

Battle royales have become one of the most popular multiplayer modes around, and have players actively queuing up for the opportunity to win these games. PUBG: Battlegrounds is considered to be one of the two games — along with Fortnite — that has been dubbed responsible for sparking this craze.

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PUBG is still one of the most popular games around that fans absolutely adore. The battle royale genre might have been perfected in other games, but there's still some comfort to be enjoyed in a game of PUBG.

15 Battlefield 5

Jaw-Dropping Destruction Mechanics

Battlefield 2042 - Player shoots opponent crawling on sand
battlefield 5

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
November 20, 2018
Developer(s)
DICE
Genre(s)
FPS

There was a time when fans of the Battlefield series considered Battlefield 5 to be an inferior product. It took many years of improvements for fans to warm up to this title once again.

The disastrous release of Battlefield 2042 has shown that fans had a gem lying in Battlefield 5 all along. While this might be indicative of DICE's shoddy work while making 2042, there's still no denying the fact that players who want to enjoy an in-depth squad shooter will have a ton of fun with Battlefield 5.

14 Halo Infinite

Single-Player And Multiplayer Both Have Their Strengths

halo-infinite-master-chief
Halo Infinite

Released
December 8, 2021
Developer(s)
343 Industries
Genre(s)
First-Person Shooter

There was a time when Halo Infinite was already written off after its reveal. It took a long while for 343 Industries to get the trust of fans back and release a brilliant Halo title that is easily the biggest step for the series.

Halo Infinite features open-world gameplay for the first time in a Halo game and is an absolute blast to play through. The fact that it serves as somewhat of a soft reboot for the Halo series makes it a great jumping-into point for new fans of the series too.

13 Titanfall 2

Amazing Mobility And Gameplay Mechanics

titanfall 2 mech
Titanfall 2

Platform(s)
PS4 , Xbox One , PC
Released
October 28, 2016
Developer(s)
Respawn Entertainment
Genre(s)
FPS

Respawn Entertainment is a respected name in the gaming industry, featuring several excellent games under its belt. One such title that is in the good books of several FPS gamers is Titanfall 2.

Players who want games like Counter-Strike but with excellent movement mechanics as well should definitely opt for this title. It helps that the single-player campaign — something that was missing in the first game — is also an excellent bonus.

12 Apex Legends

A Wealth Of Engaging Gameplay Mechanics

Apex Legends Bangalore Missile Surfing
Apex Legends

Released
February 4, 2019
Developer(s)
Respawn Entertainment
Genre(s)
Battle Royale , First-Person Shooter

Out of all the games released by Respawn Entertainment, one has to admit that Apex Legends is easily their most well-known and successful title right now. The free-to-play battle royale title is making waves to this day as one of the best games around.

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Each and every match of Apex Legends is full to the brim with high-octane action and fluid movement, making for one of the most polished battle royale titles around. Players who want an action-packed game like Counter-Strike 2 needn't look any further than this astounding title.

11 Insurgency: Sandstorm

Squad-Based Combat Similar To Counter-Strike's Gameplay Loop

Insurgency Sandstorm
Insurgency: Sandstorm

Platform(s)
PC , PS4 , Xbox One
Released
December 12, 2018
Developer(s)
New World Interactive
Genre(s)
FPS , Tactical

Counter-Strike might be a tactical title that punishes gamers for failing to exhibit proper teamwork. However, its difficulty still doesn't hold a candle to Insurgency: Sandstorm.

The game features a ton of tactical gameplay and is extremely realistic and brutal in this regard. There's no laid-back experience to be enjoyed with Insurgency: Sandstorm, which is why most people love it in the first place.

10 Team Fortress 2

A Charming Multiplayer FPS

Image from Team Fortress 2 showing the Heavy being shot while the Scout runs away.
Team Fortress 2

Platform(s)
PC , PS3 , Xbox 360 , Linux , macOS
Released
October 10, 2007
Developer(s)
Valve
Genre(s)
Shooter

Team Fortress is a series that any fan of multiplayer first-person shooters would be familiar with. This series is full to the brim with Valve's unique charm and is an easy recommendation for any fan seeking out games like Counter-Strike 2.

Team Fortress 2 might not have the tactical nuance present in the Counter-Strike series, but its imaginative and fun gameplay more than makes up for it. Of course, players need to use their brains as much as their skills in order to win most matches.

9 Overwatch 2

A Hero Shooter With Fun Gameplay

Overwatch Cassidy, Mei and Baptiste
Overwatch 2

Platform(s)
PS4 , PS5 , Xbox One , Switch , Xbox One S , Xbox One X , PC
Released
October 4, 2022
Developer(s)
Blizzard
Genre(s)
Shooter

This team-based shooter may not have the realism of Counter-Strike, but it makes up for it in style. Contrasting with games like Counter-Strike 2, where players take on the role of an unnamed player, Overwatch 2 lets players choose between characters. Each character has different attributes and weapons that give the game replayability.

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The obvious comparison is that both games are team-based. Overwatch is also a fun shooter with a dedicated fan base, even if this sequel has alienated its player base quite a bit with its poor balancing, lack of updates, and frustrating matchmaking.