10 Games Like Overwatch: Best Hero-Shooters in 2025
Hero shooter games like Overwatch are a ton of fun, but a craving for something fresh can eventually knock on your door. I played the original Overwatch ever since the open beta in 2016 and instantly fell in love with its diverse cast of heroes and immense freedom of skill expression through their abilities.
But just like even the best dish can get boring after eating it every day, after more than 600 hours of unforgettable memories, I finally started looking for alternatives to Blizzard’s team-based shooter.
Fortunately, thanks to Overwatch, the hero shooter genre exploded after its success, bringing us loads of action-packed titles to choose from. From highly tactical FPS games to chaotic battle royales, all the games in this article offer a different twist of the iconic Overwatch formula.
So whether you’re just taking a break from Overwatch 2 or just want to expand your hero shooter horizons, you’ve got ample options. I’ve personally played each of them throughout the years and I can guarantee you’ll find something to reignite your competitive rush.
Our Top Picks for Games Like Overwatch
Before heading into my in-depth analysis, here’s a quick glance at the absolute best alternatives to Overwatch that definitely deserve your attention:
- Marvel Rivals (2024) – Superhero team shooter with iconic Marvel characters and abilities
- Valorant (2020) – Tactical hero shooter with precise gunplay and unique agent abilities
- Splatoon 3 (2022) – Nintendo’s colorful team-based shooter with ink-splattering mechanics
- Apex Legends (2019) – Lightning-fast battle royale take on the hero shooter genre
- Destiny 2 (2017) – Expansive sci-fi shooter with cooperative PvE and competitive team PvP modes
These titles hit the sweet spot of squad gameplay, fun hero abilities, and competitive thrill that we all loved in Overwatch. Keep reading and find out why you must try these games in 2025.
10 Best Games Like Overwatch for Team-Based Action
What makes a great Overwatch alternative? It’s that perfect mix of team coordination, unique character synergies, and objective-based game modes that’s easy to pick up, but hard to master.
While it’s difficult to top its special optimistic charm, these 10 great games offer an amazing space for character-driven action and strategic teamplay only found in the best hero shooters.
1. Marvel Rivals
| Release Year | Platforms | Developer |
| 2024 | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S | NetEase Games |
Marvel Rivals is by far the closest spiritual successor to the Overwatch formula, introducing iconic Marvel superheroes and villains while maintaining that same 6v6 objective-based gameplay. Characters like Iron Man, Spider-Man, and Doctor Strange bring their signature powers to the battle, creating loads of never-before-seen ability combinations to experiment with.
The environmental destruction mechanics and the third-person camera add a fresh layer that changes how you approach each encounter. What I loved the most is coordinating ultimates with teammates to create those same satisfying “team wipe” moments we all loved in Overwatch.
The Marvel setting also provides built-in character recognition and interesting relationships that add depth to the team dynamics. Just like Overwatch, the ability to switch heroes mid-match keeps battles dynamic and allows for flexible counter-picking.
The game is super easy to pick up for casual Marvel fans with enough depth to satisfy competitive players who already know how to play Marvel Rivals.
While it’s just one of the new free games in the genre, Rivals is already a go-to alternative for Overwatch 2 players seeking a fresh take on the hero shooter genre.
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2. Valorant
| Release Year | Platforms | Developer |
| 2020 | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S | Riot Games |
Valorant combines precision gunplay with unique Agent abilities to create a tactical first-person shooter that rewards both aim and strategy. However, unlike Overwatch‘s chaotic team fights, Valorant‘s gameplay revolves around methodical rounds where your Agent’s abilities support gunplay rather than replace it.
The in-game economic system adds a strategic layer where you must manage resources across rounds, creating space for strategic decisions when to save or spend. I’ve found that while communication is crucial here, high mechanical skill is way more important.
Also, the slower pace and lower time-to-kill create very tense moments where a single well-planned ability can determine the whole round.
By now you can probably see that the learning curve is noticeably steeper, but it’s all about adaptability. The steady additions of new Agents and maps keep the meta evolving in ways that reward continuous learning. So, for any top FPS games enthusiasts looking for a more tactical experience, Valorant is an easy choice.
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3. Splatoon 3
| Release Year | Platforms | Developer |
| 2022 | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo EPD |
Splatoon 3 twists the team shooter format with its distinctive ink-based mechanics that prioritize territory control over eliminations. You also get the ability to switch between humanoid and squid forms to play with a mobility system unlike any other shooter, allowing you to swim through ink for quick repositioning.
So even though it feels like a hero shooter at its core, a few simple changes make it a completely new experience worth checking out.
The biggest selling point of Splatoon lies in its accessibility. Players of all skill levels can contribute by simply painting the map, while the variety of weapons and special abilities creates enough depth for competitive players. This effectively mirrors Overwatch‘s design where different heroes cater to a variety of different playstyles.
Best of all, the colorful aesthetic and non-violent gameplay make this a perfect entry point for younger players or those seeking alternatives to intense TPS games. The core gameplay loop of claiming territory while outsmarting opponents brings a lot of strategic satisfaction, just like all the games similar to Overwatch.
Overall, Splatoon 3 proves that team shooters don’t need violence to create a compelling competitive fun.
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4. Apex Legends
| Release Year | Platforms | Developer |
| 2019 | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, Mobile | Respawn Entertainment |
Apex Legends is still one of the most popular battle royale games that rewards spatial awareness and quick thinking. Each Legend has its own unique abilities that serve specific team roles, from Lifeline’s healing to Bloodhound’s enemy tracker, creating diverse squad compositions.
The three-person team format creates intimate squad dynamics where communication and smart teamwork directly correlate to your survival chances.
What sets Apex apart from other battle royale games is its emphasis on movement and hero synergy. The smooth sliding, climbing, and character-specific mobility options combine into a very fluid movement system for fast repositioning.
Plus, Apex Legends was one of the first battle royales to introduce a ping system for effective teamwork even without voice chat, making it perfect for solo players.
It’s true, that the battle royale format means longer matches with no respawns. However, Apex‘s laser focus on hero abilities and respawn beacons keep the tensions high through every match.
If you’re an Overwatch fan searching for hero-based abilities in a larger-scale first-person shooter format, Apex Legends can definitely give you new thrills to experience.
5. Destiny 2: The Final Shape
| Release Year | Platforms | Developer |
| 2017 | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Bungie |
Destiny 2 expands beyond the arena shooter format with its massive open world game structure that merges PvE and PvP experiences. The three distinct classes – Titan, Warlock, and Hunter – offer dozens of special abilities and supers to choose from and create your own unique hero.
Not to mention Bungie’s renowned gunplay is simply unmatched, so moment-to-moment combat feels like nothing else out there.
At this point, you might be scratching your head why I’m discussing a looter shooter in this list, and that’s a fair question. The reason I play Destiny 2 to this day is the Crucible PvP, including objective-based game modes similar to Overwatch.
Even though Destiny is not about pre-made heroes, the updated class system combined with nearly infinite number of gear builds will make every match feel unique.
And if you want something more relaxing afterwards, you still have one of the best open-world games on your hands. I’ve found the six-player raid experiences to be some of the most rewarding team content in gaming, combining complex mechanics with spectacular boss fights.
So, if you ever found yourself wondering what it would be like to tweak Overwatch hero abilities for a more personalized fun, then Destiny 2 and its PvP modes will feel right at home.
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6. Warframe
| Release Year | Platforms | Developer |
| 2013 | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Digital Extremes |
Warframe offers an impressive collection of biomechanical suits, called Warframes, that each provide distinct abilities and playstyles similar to Overwatch heroes. It’s also one of the best multiplayer games you can start free-to-play, making it an easy entry point for new players.
However, the focus on cooperative PvE missions is a less stressful team experience compared to competitive shooters.
The movement system is very fast, with wall-running, sliding, and aerial maneuvers leveling up Overwatch’s pace. And that speed requires just as quick communication to coordinate Warframe abilities with teammates during challenging missions to pull off those perfect team combos.
By the way, the constant addition of new content over its decade-long lifespan means there’s always something new to master.
The progression system lets you customize both appearance and functionality through extensive modding options. Each Warframe can be built for different roles and playstyles, allowing you to customize your hero for any role you want.
If trying out new things makes you anxious, then a supportive community will also make the learning curve more enjoyable, with veteran players often helping newcomers get comfortable faster.
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7. Team Fortress 2 [The Orange Box]
| Release Year | Platforms | Developer |
| 2007 | PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X | Valve |
Team Fortress 2 is the pioneer of the hero shooter genre with nine distinct classes that created most of the modern archetypes. The always recognisable art style and character designs have stood the test of time, despite the game’s age.
The straightforward objective-based modes like Payload and Control Points focus team effort around clear goals, the logic used by similar games ever since.
The class balance is essentially a rock-paper-scissors dynamic where each character has very clear strengths and counters. Not to mention switching classes mid-match to counter enemy composition feels exactly the same as Overwatch matches.
What takes this game a step above, is all the different customizations, including weapons, which slightly change the playstyle of every character.
Team Fortress 2’s passionate player base has kept the game alive for over 15 years, and you can still find matches in mere moments. On top of that, you can join creative community servers that offer unique game modes beyond what Valve baked into the base experience.
And speaking of Valve, you should definitely check out The Orange Box collection which includes Team Fortress 2 along with absolute legends like Half-Life 2 and Portal.
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8. Rainbow Six Siege
| Release Year | Platforms | Developer |
| 2015 | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | Ubisoft Montreal |
Rainbow Six Siege is a more grounded, tactical, and realistic hero shooter with an emphasis on environmental destruction and precision shooting. Each operator has unique gadgets that fill specific roles within your team, from hard breachers who open reinforced walls to intel gatherers who locate enemies.
The main meat of this game is destructible environments and vertical dimension to combat, allowing creative approaches to objectives and never letting you feel safe.
The learning curve is the steepest on this list, with map knowledge and operator interactions requiring significant investment to master. However, Siege is less about ability combos and more about coordination between teammates, aided with the most complex (even though a little slower) movement systems and requirement for immaculate game sense.
It’s also one of the most fun cross-platform games that allow you to team up with your PC and console friends even for ranked matches.
The seasonal addition of new operators and map reworks has kept the game evolving over its lifespan, now celebrating the 10th anniversary. The competitive scene provides a clear progression path with loads of rewards and space for high-level skill development.
All in all, Rainbow Six Siege is one of my favorite games similar to Overwatch for players who seek deeper first-person shooter mechanics and tighter gunplay.
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9. Star Wars Battlefront II
| Release Year | Platforms | Developer |
| 2017 | PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S | DICE |
The 2017 reimagining of the cult classic introduces the class shooter experience to iconic characters from the Star Wars universe. The game’s multiplayer modes offer an exciting PvP spectacle that lets you use heroes like Luke Skywalker, Darth Vader, and Obi-Wan across multiple era-specific maps.
But most importantly, Battlefront II provides a more relaxed approach to competitive gameplay, even allowing special modes where players battle only with heroes.
The game truly shines in its multiplayer modes, which include the classic Galactic Assault and the most important – Hero Showdown. Each hero comes with unique abilities that capture their cinematic presence – whether you’re force-pushing enemies as a Jedi or deploying tactical strikes as a bounty hunter.
The progression system is a tad grindy, but rewards players with more hero options as you play along.
While the PvP can clock you hundreds of hours on its own, the story campaign offers a nice bonus experience to sink your teeth in. I won’t spoil the fun, but the story explores both unseen and iconic events of the galaxy far, far away, twisting them into a surprisingly good narrative worth an additional 6-8 hours.
For Star Wars fans looking to trade Overwatch for lightsabers and blasters, Battlefront II can be a refreshing alternative with team-based hero action.
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10. Quake Champions
| Release Year | Platforms | Developer |
| 2017 | PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S | id Software |
Quake Champions breathes new life into the classic arena shooter by introducing hero-based mechanics to its legendary lightning-fast gameplay. Each champion brings special abilities and passive traits that add strategic depth to the traditional Quake formula most of us are already familiar with.
The game’s roster of distinctive characters provides a nice pinch of spice that arena shooter connoisseurs will surely appreciate.
As expected for Quake series, the game demands exceptional mechanical skill, rewarding players who master quick movement and precision shooting. Similar to Overwatch‘s hero interactions, Quake Champions hero abilities directly shift the tide of battle and are highly focused along its gunplay elements.
Although, unlike more forgiving team shooters, Quake Champions punishes mistakes with brutal efficiency.
Even with a rocky launch, the regular updates have helped Quake Champions maintain a dedicated community. The game bridges the gap between traditional arena shooters and modern hero-based games without relying too much on either one.
If you’re looking for a more classic, but hardcore alternative with modern hero shooter elements gameplay, Quake Champions should be an easy pick for you.
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FAQs
What game is most similar to Overwatch?
If you’re chasing that Overwatch vibe, Marvel Rivals is where it’s at. It’s got that same fast-paced, 6v6 team combat with a crazy variety of Marvel characters to pick from. The objective-focused gameplay feels familiar, but the hero combos and Marvel universe twist give it a fresh spin.
What are the 4 types of Overwatch heroes?
Overwatch heroes are divided into four different types. We’re looking at Damage (DPS), Tank, Support, and Flex roles, each providing particular team benefits and strategic gameplay possibilities.
What are some popular hero shooters besides Overwatch?
If you’re craving more hero shooter action besides Marvel Rivals, Valorant offers intense tactical play with unique agent abilities, while Apex Legends throws you into battle royale chaos with characters that have powerful skills.
