You can trust VideoGamer. Our team of gaming experts spend hours testing and reviewing the latest games, to ensure you're reading the most comprehensive guide possible. Rest assured, all imagery and advice is unique and original. Check out how we test and review games here
The original Overwatch was released in 2016 by Blizzard Entertainment, redefining the hero FPS genre. It became one of the most popular games in the world, garnering worldwide acclaim. Several years later, the game was updated and redesigned, becoming Overwatch 2. It switched to a free-to-play model, arrived on Steam, and switched from 6v6 to 5v5. Yet the heroes, maps, abilities, and game modes remained mostly intact. Nowadays, OW2 is still as popular as ever, with many games trying to copy its style and gameplay. However, there are plenty of alternatives to try out, some of which you can find in our list below.
Alternative games like Overwatch 2 include:
- Valorant
- Paladins
- The Finals
- Apex Legends
- Fortnite
- Team Fortress 2
- Gundam Evolution
Valorant
-
Release Date:
June 2, 2020
- – 02 June 2020 (PC)
- Platform(s): PC
- Genre(s): Action, Shooter, Strategy
Would you recommend this game?
Valorant was released in 2020 by Riot Games, known for their MOBA phenomenon, League of Legends. Valorant is their answer to the competitive team shooter genre that marries ability-based heroes with gunplay akin to more traditional FPS games. It’s that roster of heroes, called Agents, that will be the most familiar to Overwatch 2 players, each coming with a set of abilities that can skew any engagement. They also come in a variety of roles, some comparable to OW2, others less so. The abilities in Valorant lean more towards tactical use when compared to Overwatch, but there’s some overlap that will make the adjustment period painless. Plus, the game is free to play through Riot Client, so you can easily try it out.
Paladins is another game in the same hero FPS genre as Overwatch 2. Coming from Hi-Rez Studios, it was released in 2016 – the same year as the original Overwatch. With the meteoric rise of OW, that unfortunate timing has overshadowed Paladins for a long time. Still, the devs kept at it, updating and improving a game that lasts to this day. The game pitches two teams of five against each other, letting players choose from a large variety of heroes. You can customise their builds and cosmetics, even picking up selectable items before each match. As you’d expect, the games are highly competitive and have team compositions as an important factor. Paladins is also free to play, so there’s no risk in giving it a go.
The Finals
-
Release Date:
December 7, 2023
- – 07 December 2023 (PC, Xbox Series S/X, PlayStation 5)
- Platform(s): PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Action, First-Person Shooter, Shooter
Would you recommend this game?
The Finals came out in 2023 from Embark Studios which boasts several former Battlefield devs among their ranks. Just like OW2, the game is fast-paced and anything can change on a dime. Moreover, many abilities and gadgets in The Finals correspond with some found in Overwatch. From the grappling hook like Widowmaker’s, a healing beam like Mercy’s, and a shield like Reinhardt’s, to mention a few. However, The Finals doesn’t have heroes. Instead, you can pick between three different classes called Builds, and then customize them with weapons, abilities, and gadgets to match your gameplay demands. And most importantly, The Finals is free to play across several platforms, just like OW2.
If you’re looking for something similar yet slightly different, then look no further than Apex Legends. Released in 2019, the game can be dubbed a hero-based battle royale. Just like in Overwatch 2, you are able to choose from a roster of various heroes, then join up in squads of three to take on the different game modes and maps. The game is fast and explosive, which should suit OW2 players with ease. Each hero in Apex comes with their own set of abilities, letting you coordinate synergies with your team. Lastly, the game is free to play, which makes it a good one to try if you want to explore the battle royale genre.
Fortnite
-
Release Date:
September 26, 2017
- – 01 January 2018 (iOS, iOS)
- – 25 July 2017 (Xbox One, PC, PlayStation 4)
- – 12 June 2018 (Nintendo Switch)
- Platform(s): Android, iOS, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X
- Genre(s): Action, Massively Multiplayer, Shooter
Would you recommend this game?
Fortnite is a game that needs little to no introduction. Made by Epic Games and released in 2017, it quickly became a global phenomenon. Like our above entry, it’s a battle royale game, with several different game modes to shake up the action. There are no strict characters to choose from, and instead, you’ll customize your avatar with various weapons and flashy skins. The colourful cartoony art style of Fortnite is not dissimilar to Overwatch’s, so you’ll feel right at home if you enjoy that aesthetic. And like many other games on our list, Fortnite is free to play.
Team Fortress 2
-
Release Date:
October 10, 2007
- – 01 January 2007 (PC)
- Platform(s): Linux, macOS, PC
- Genre(s): Action, First Person, Shooter, Tactical
Would you recommend this game?
The oldest game on our list, Valve’s Team Fortress 2 served as a direct inspiration for the original Overwatch. The game took many cues from TF2, especially when it comes to characters, their abilities, art style, and tongue-in-cheek humour. Despite its age, TF2 is kept alive by its community, still available on Steam and played by many players all over the world. The characters in this game come in a variety of specializations, each with their own set of abilities and weapons. Sounds familiar? So if you want to see where it all began, you can jump into the retro shooter action for free on Steam.
Gundam Evolution
- Release Date:
- Platform(s): Unknown
- Genre(s): Unknown
Would you recommend this game?
Gundam Evolution is a unique take on the hero shooter genre. Released by Bandai Namco in 2022, it ties into the wider world of the Gundam franchise. As you’d expect, the game features giant mechs, called mobile suits, duking it out in 6v6 battles. The various mobile suits come with a range of weapons and abilities, not dissimilar to those you can find in Overwatch 2. Similarly, team compositions play a major part in determining your team’s chance of victory. Gundam Evolution is free to play too, and is available on both PlayStation and Xbox, but can no longer be found on Steam, much to PC players’ dismay.
About the Author
Overwatch 2
- Platform(s): Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s): Action, Shooter
