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 all. Its appeal boils down to its weapon variety, maps, and friendly community.
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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 to play designed for those who love Counter-Strike. Nobody's telling anyone to quit, but a break to try something new is a wise idea.
Updated December 5th, 2020 by Hodey Johns: Several of the original games on this list have received sequels since the writing of this article. Additionally, other games have been recommended by Counter-Strike players that seemed more fitting. In light of the new games and the advice of dedicated Counter-Strike gamers, this list has been updated to reflect upon this information in an effort to be more accurate and timely.
Updated August 13th, 2021 by Ritwik Mitra: Counter-Strike is a series beloved by many fans of tactical squad-based first-person shooters. Coordinating a proper assault and watching the other team in disarray is easily one of the best moments a gamer can experience, and Counter-Strike provides this opportunity in droves. So, it's only a given that the people who decide to ride the CS:GO hype train would want to play more titles in the same vein. Keeping this in mind, here are some of the best games like Counter-Strike that fans of this title will cherish.
15 Titanfall 2
- Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
Respawn Entertainment is a respected name in the gaming industry, featuring several excellent games under their 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 in its own right.
14 Apex Legends
- Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Mobile, and PC
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.
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 CS:GO needn't look any further than this astounding title.
13 Payday 2
- Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PS3, Xbox 360, Nintendo Switch, and PC
The Payday series is easily one of the most entertaining first-person shooters around. The idea of participating in a heist and teaming up with other players to accomplish the same is a simple concept that ends up paying off substantially.
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This is mainly due to the entertaining and addictive gameplay loop of Payday 2, allowing players to refine their technique with each heist in order to get acquainted with the title. The teamwork present in this excellent squad-based shooter is precisely why most people consider it to be one of the best games like Counter-Strike.
12 Insurgency: Sandstorm
- Playable on: PC
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!
11 Team Fortress 2
- Playable on: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC
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 CS:GO.
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.
10 Overwatch
- Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC
This team-based shooter may not have the realism of Counter-Strike, but it makes up for it in style. Contrasting from games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, where you play an unnamed player, Overwatch lets you 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 an acclaimed shooter with a dedicated fan base, in part due to Tracer's many inspirational quotes.
9 Arma 3
- Playable on: PC
Anyone who feels that Counter-Strike is a bit too enclosed should really give Arma 3 a shot. Released in 2015, the game has not stopped receiving purchases, downloads, and updates ever since. There is a reason this community feels so fiercely loyal.
Despite the sandbox feel, teams require perfect timing and precision to be successful. And the open-world ensures that this will never be one of the many FPS games that are way too short on content.
8 Call Of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
- Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC
Players that love espionage, hostage situations, and first-person intensity will be right at home with Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War. Most of the current community needs to take tips from others to succeed in the game.
Counter-Strike players, however, will be the ones giving the tips because the game will be so familiar. These gamers know when to attack, when to retreat, and how to avoid bad situations, all of which rounds out a skillset that fits perfectly into this particular installment.
7 Gears 5
- Playable on: Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC
As games with multiplayer modes fought in squads, Gears 5 and Counter-Strike bear similarities. Gears 5 was a significant improvement over its predecessor. The game looks vibrant in 4K HDR, and the gameplay is a masterclass. The companion robot, Jack, was a gamechanger.
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It seems like about time that the Gears of War series received a defuse or search and destroy mode. Many other games are jumping on the Counter-Strike bandwagon, but a vital series like Gears of War is notably absent. Still, the campaign has plenty of this style of play and those who own an Xbox Series X will be surprised at how much the game has been upgraded.
6 Escape From Tarkov
- Playable on: PC
Technically, this game has yet to be released but pre-ordering the game guarantees access to the beta, which is just as good as the finished product of most FPS games. Don't believe it? It's been refined since people have been able to play it since 2017.
Escape from Tarkov has all of the tactics and shooting that Counter-Strike players love and offers a huge addition; as an MMO-inspired game that features quick matches, progress is saved in between games, allowing for a much-needed progression system absent in most FPS games. Just be sure to brush up on some pro tips for the game first.
5 Evolve
- Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC
With one team being the hunters and the other being the monster (hunted), Evolve is a game that relies on teams. Counter-Strike is also dependant on squads, but Evolve characters each have a unique move set that makes the game special.
Players are given the option to play as a medic, trapper, assault, or support class. Regardless of preferred class, Counter-Strike gamers are bound to have fun playing Evolve. As a PvP game, the difficulty level is high, making it one of the few FPS games that are harder than Doom Eternal.
4 Squad
- Playable on: PC
Released in September 2020 after six years of development, Squad has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and fans alike. As a tactical shooter that boats 100 players, 20 maps, and 7 factions, the action is intense and immersive.
What Counter-Strike players will love best about it is the fan base that insists on speaking in the form of quick, military-like commands, turning the game into as much a role-playing experience as it is a tactical shooter. This game is truly the apex of the evolution in shooters since Halo: Combat Evolved first hit stores.
3 Valorant
- Playable on: PC
Players from Overwatch, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, and Call of Duty each saw top ten players leave their respective games for Valorant after it was released. Gamers wondered why they would forfeit all of this prize money to play a fledgling title from Riot Games (of League of Legends fame).
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The game is so much like Counter-Strike that it's eerie. The gunplay is fast and deadly and the graphics are minimalist and simple. But players will notice the addition of special characters with special abilities in addition to the typical weapon selection, which makes it a compelling game for those who are on the fence. Climbing the ladder will take some smart tips, but the climb is rewarding.
2 Paladins: Champions Of The Realm
- Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, and PC
It's been proven time and time again that the free-to-play formula works. Through microtransactions and premium content, developers can earn a return on their investment. Free-to-play can make cross-platform play feasible because it's widely available to more people.
Don't forget that Paladins is a free-to-play game, so there is little incentive not to give it a try. It's like Overwatch except many prefer it over its video game doppelganger.
1 Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege
- Playable on: PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Google Stadia, and PC
No game may be as similar to Counter-Strike as Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege. Both games rely on teamwork and tactics to achieve objectives. Their competitive nature is why so many people gravitate to these instant FPS classics.
Tom Clancy's Rainbow Six Siege came out years after Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, so naturally, the game appears more polished. It seems like they are continually adding content for Counter-Strike and Rainbow Six Siege. Both games have cemented themselves as mainstays of the gaming industry because of their timeless gameplay.