Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)
Release: 08/21/2016 | Platform: PC, PS3, Xbox One | Genre: Tactical Shooter | Developer: Valve | Download for the game: Visit CS:GO on Steam
What is CS:GO? Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (short CS:GO) is a modernized version of the shooter classic Counter-Strike. The gameplay principle hasn’t changed much. Terrorists and special forces fight for control of a map and a bomb that needs to be planted or defused.
Here we include a trailer for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive for you:
CS:GO is a tactical shooter where you must proceed as a team and precisely coordinate the strengths and weaknesses of your weapons and equipment. If you die, you are out until the end of the round. Between rounds, you buy new weapons and items with money earned in the game.
More expensive weapons are often superior to the cheaper ones, but some weapons are just absolutely useless, while others seem almost overpowered.
Who should play it? CS:GO is clearly aimed at players who want to score through skill and teamwork. Here you only have your weapon and your skill. But if your team messes up, even perfect aim won’t help you very much.
So if you’re looking for a straightforward tactical shooter without frills like skills, heroes, and other stuff, and instead prefer a realistic, refined setting, you are in the right place.
Overwatch 2
Release: October 4, 2022 | Platform: PC, PS5, Xbox Series S / X, Nintendo Switch | Genre: Hero Shooter | Developer: Blizzard Entertainment | Download for the game: Visit the official Overwatch 2 website.
What is Overwatch 2? As the name suggests, Overwatch 2 (OW2) is the sequel to Blizzard’s popular hero shooter. The major advantage of OW2 over its predecessor is the transition to the F2P model. The title retains the advantages of Overwatch 1 and stays true to the gameplay.
The biggest innovation is the reduction of the number of players: Instead of 6v6, OW2 is played with 5v5. Teams must now make do with one less player, which has made the gameplay faster and more action-packed. The importance of individual heroes has also increased due to this change.
We embed the official trailer for Overwatch 2 Season 2 here:
In general, the gameplay offers you a fast-paced, action-packed shooter for in-between, whose new seasons promise fresh content.
Who should play Overwatch 2? Overwatch 2 is aimed at players who were already fans of Overwatch 1, as well as those who may become fans in the future.
If you’re looking for a hero shooter that offers intense rounds, has a faster gameplay than OW1, and will be supplied with content updates over the next few years, you should check out OW2.
However, if you prefer shooters with a low time-to-kill or one-shot headshot mechanic, then OW2 may not be the right choice for you.
Halo Infinite
Release: December 8, 2021 | Platform: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series S / X | Genre: PvP Shooter | Developer: 343 Industries and SkyBox Labs | Download for the game: Visit the official Halo Infinite website
What is Halo Infinite? The latest entry in the legendary Halo series relies on old strengths and brings the multiplayer mode completely free-to-play to PC and Xbox consoles.
We embed the gameplay trailer for Season 2 of the “Halo Infinite” multiplayer here:
Halo relies on a more classic shooter gameplay without special abilities or specific heroes, but it does feature vehicles and various types of equipment. The weapons are also quite special and give Halo that certain something. The movement also has more depth than one might initially think.
An important feature of the Halo games is the shield mechanics. As long as your opponent still has a shield, headshots do not do more damage than body shots. However, once the shield is broken, aim for the head, as in the most tactical shooters, to finish off with a final shot. This results in a highly strategic and dynamic gameplay that is truly unique in the market.
Who should play it? If you enjoy classic shooter gameplay with plenty of movement, crazy weapons, and the typical Halo flair, then you will surely enjoy Halo Infinite.
PUBG: Battlegrounds (PUBG)
Release: 03/23/2017 | Platform: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Stadia | Genre: Battle Royale | Developer: Bluehole Studios | Download for the game: Visit the official PUBG website
What is PUBG? PUBG: Battlegrounds (previously known as PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds), or PUBG, is one of the creators of the battle royale hype. Many features that are now hardly imaginable in the genre were introduced to a large player base by PUBG.
Including the concept of landing alone on a large map, gearing up, and fighting until you are the last player (or team) standing.
As of January 12, 2022, the previously buy-to-play game became a free-to-play title. Here we include a video that explains PUBG in 2 minutes.
PUBG represents a classic version of the BR genre. The game avoids hectic jumping around and acrobatics. You won’t find crazy weapons here either. Instead, you can expect classic firearms such as assault rifles, shotguns, and snipers. Only with the iconic frying pan as a melee weapon does PUBG allow for a bit of silliness – it also serves as protection when carried on your back.
The gameplay of PUBG is rather calm and tactical. You carefully creep forward and gradually optimize your equipment. However, there are also vehicles to quickly change locations. Occasionally, special crates with loot are dropped, and the maps (of which there are a proud 8) continuously shrink to drive the remaining players closer together.
Who should play it? PUBG is clearly aimed at purists who just want to enjoy battle royale. Because the game avoids too fast gameplay elements that you would find in games like Apex Legends or Hyperscape. Here you don’t run along walls, and you don’t have to be a parkour master to rock the game.
Rather, it’s about landing unarmed on a map and desperately searching for any weapon, even if it’s just a rusty frying pan.
The search for upgrades and the cat-and-mouse game with the other players then determines the rest of the round. Just classic battle royale without a lot of frills. So if you want to play a bit more calmly and appreciate tactical gaming over hectic action, you should definitely give PUBG a try.
However, note that the free-to-play version does not allow for ranked matches and custom games. A one-time payment of 13 euros is required to upgrade to PUBG Plus.
If you are mostly on your smartphone and want to compete with other players, you can find another list here: The 7 best free PvP games for iOS and Android
