Counterstrike2is aphenomenally popular first-person shooterand one of the few that remains exclusive to PC. While the name alludes to it being the second game in the series,Counterstrikehas hadplenty of famous iterations, including1.6,Global Offensive, andSource.
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The gameplay is furiously competitive, and with the zero price tag, it’s one of the best ways to enjoy a hardcore shooterwithout even opening your wallet.
That said, if you get bored withCounterstrike 2, what games offer a similar experience? Surprisingly, few games provide a ‘no gimmicks’ competitive platform, much less with an active player base. Still, here are a few games anyCS2refugeeshould check out.
8Call Of Duty: Black Ops 6
It’s The Mode That Matters
Call of Duty: Black Ops 6
I totally understand why anyCS2player would laugh at the suggestion that they playCall of Duty, but hear me out.
One of the most famousCall of Dutymodes has always beenSearch and Destroy. It’s a mode that’s clearly inspired byCounterstrikeandremoves a lot of random ‘fluff’typically associated withCoD.
If you’ve never played before, there areno respawnsin S&D, and teams are much smaller. The lower player count lends itself to tactical gameplay, andkillstreaks are much less commonunless one team is steamrolling ahead.
The economy and buy phase fromCS2is absent inCall of Duty, but it’s adelightfully sweaty modeand offers an environment anyCounterstrikesavant will enjoy.
7Fortnite Ballistic
They Thought Of Everything
Fortnite Ballistic
Fortniteis a hub forcountless unique gamesat this point, including racing andrhythm modes. The title is traditionally third person, but there’s now afirst-person round-based gametype called Ballistic.
Fortnite Ballisticwears itsCS2inspirations on its sleeve, offering anaccessible take on competitive FPS. There’s a buying phase before each round, and maps are full of strategic choke points to battle over.
The mode was pretty barebones at launch, but a couple ofnew maps were added just days agoat the time of writing. If Epic continues to support the mode, it will remain a viable alternative, and you canrock your own skinsas a bonus.
6Halo: The Master Chief Collection
The Console Classics
Halo: The Master Chief Collection
I don’t think it’s unfair to say thatHaloisn’t the series it once was. At one point, PC hadCounterstrike 1.6andSource, while Xbox hadHalo 2and3. Both cater to acompetitive audiencebut on different platforms.
Halo: The Master Chief Collectionis arguably the best way to enjoythe iconic sci-fi shooter series. Sure, the campaigns are legendary, but the old-school arena-based is as fun as ever.CounterstrikeandHaloare fundamentally different. For example, you can respawn in the latter.
That said, Halo rewardsteamwork, map knowledge, and a sharp aimlike few other shooters can. The best players know to fight for map control, which is a familiar concept to anyCS2player.
5Escape From Tarkov: Arena
Extraction Shooter Royalty
Escape from Tarkov: Arena
No other game in the shooter genre is as intense for me asEscape From Tarkov. It’s anextraction shooter, so it’s entirely different fromCS2, but its Arena mode is much closer.
EFT: Arenatakes the solid combat of the main game and strips away thesurvival mechanics, leaving animpressively brutal arena-style shooter. LikeCS2, matches are played across multiple rounds on compact maps, and a snappy headshot is all it takes to clutch a win.
EFT: Arenaisas unforgiving as the main gameand a great segue into one of the most hardcore shooters on the market. It’s a little light on content, so I wouldn’t recommend purchasingEscape from Tarkovspecifically for it, but it’sa great selling pointif you’re already interested.
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4The Finals
Get Rich Quick
The Finals
The Finalsis asuperb objective-based shooterthat’s survived the test of time while so many other promising FPS games have failed.
Embark Studio’sThe Finalshas thrived thanks to itsunique brand of multiplayer gameplay. Your team of three is part of a gameshow that mustfind a vaultand secure it at a Cashout Station.
Naturally, the other teams won’t let you do this without a fight, and there arecountless strategiesas you fight to adapt on the fly. Precision aim is rewarded, and there’s plenty of teamwork, even if the game is less grounded thanCS2.
Thanks to the expansive maps,The Finalsis arguably the most ‘out there’ recommendation on the list. Still, it’s ahyper-competitive shooter that’s free-to-playand has retained players since its inception. Most games in the genre sadly can’t say the same.
3Insurgency: Sandstorm
Boots On The Ground
Insurgency: Sandstorm
Insurgency: Sandstormis a superb first-person shooter with small maps,contemporary weapons, and several locations that look like Dust 2.
While the game may look likeCS2, it hasenough selling points to stand on its own. For example, Insurgency has classes with unique equipment, and you may kit out weapons with attachments. There are alsoseveral decent PvE modesif you want a break from sweaty competitive matches.
Honestly, I’ve not playedInsurgency: Sandstormfor a few years, but it seems to retain asmall but dedicated player base, according to Steam Charts. If you’re reading this list years into the future, you may want to do some research before diving in.
2Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
The Tactician’s Choice
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
Counterstrike 2is beloved for its gameplay loop, which is simple on the surface butdeep as an oceanonce you start to learn the maps and choke points.
Rainbow Six Siegeoffers a similar experience, and anintimate knowledge of the maps and sight-linesseparates the scrubs from the pros. There’s a ‘setup’ phase before each round where the defending team can bolster their defenses, sono two matches are the same.
Naturally,teamwork is king, and the best players can knock your head off before you even know where they are. It’s a punishing game, particularly in ranked, but it remainsone of the best uses of the Rainbow Six IP.
You Saw This Coming
Valorantmay not be the most inspired suggestion, but it makes sense as it’s adirect competitortoCounterstrike 2.
Valorantis similar toCS2in many ways. It’s a hardcore first-person shooter thatdemands solid aim and map knowledge. There’s a buy phase for equipment before rounds, and if you die, you must wait for the round to finish before you may play again.
The most significant difference between the titles isValorant’scharacter abilities. They don’t overtake the game the same way they do in a Hero Shooter likeMarvel Rivals, butthey influence the flow of matchesjust enough that you must respect them.
Valorantis also incredibly successful with abooming player base. If you want to try aCS2alternative but want a game guaranteed to stay supported,Valorantis a safe choice.
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