Counter-Strike: Global Offensive launched in 2012, yet it still consistently ranks as one of the most-played games on Steam. Its dedicated community has only grown stronger over the years, as Valve continues to pump new content into the ever-popular shooter.

The game switched to a free-to-play model in 2018, introducing legions of new players to the nuances of this high-stakes FPS. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive pits two teams against each other. One side is tasked with either planting a bomb or rescuing hostages. The other is tasked with preventing that from happening. It's a simple concept, but one that's executed flawlessly: Tight gunplay, incredible map design, and balanced weapons have allowed the game to flourish for a decade.

Adding to the thrill is the lack of respawns for most game modes. Once your health reaches zero, you become a spectator until the next round begins. It might seem punishing to newcomers, but it adds a level of tension that you won't find in other games. Valve has since introduced new modes that allow respawns, but the heart and soul of Counter-Strike will always revolve around these standard competitive matches.

While Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has been entertaining hardcore gamers for years, there are plenty of great alternatives on the market. Some offer a similar approach (such as Rainbow Six Siege, which grants no respawns), while others feature tight controls and well-balanced gameplay that any Counter-Strike fan will appreciate.

Here are 10 games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive to play next, ranked by Metascore.

Team Fortress 2 (PC)

Metascore: 92
Best for: Fans of quirky, over-the-top action
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Team Fortress 2 is a much more colorful game than Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, but it's every bit as tactical. Before heading to the battlefield, you'll pick one of nine classes to play, each with their own unique stats and abilities. You can play as a Spy to disguise yourself as an enemy player. You can run around as a Medic healing people. Or you can play as a Demoman and throw down explosive traps. A variety of game modes keeps things interesting, and its engaging gunplay will immediately appeal to fans of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

"When the biggest flaw of the game is that it gets a bit repetitive after the first hundred or so hours of play, you know you have something special." — YouGamers

Overwatch (PC)

Metascore: 91
Best for: Fans of highly competitive shooters
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Overwatch marks Blizzard's first foray into the world of FPS games, and it was a resounding success. This highly competitive game pits two teams of six against each other in a variety of fast-paced game modes. The most exciting part of Overwatch is its roster of characters, which currently sits at 34 and shows no signs of slowing down. While each one offers unique skills, they all slot into one of four roles (Defense, Offense, Support, and Tank), and learning how to properly play each one will give you thousands of hours of fun.

"An intelligent cascade of disparate ideas, supporting one another, pouring into one another, and coiling around themselves as they flow into the brilliant shooter underneath." — GameSpot

Apex Legends (PS4)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of fluid movement systems
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Apex Legends is one of the most popular battle royales on the market. It plays like others in the genre, with small groups of players vying to be the last ones standing as the battlefield rapidly shrinks. The big difference with Apex Legends is its stellar gunplay and dynamic movement system. You can easily run up walls, slide down hills, or hook onto a zipline to speed towards your next target. A well-balanced roster of characters, an innovative ping system that eases team communication, and a constantly changing map have only allowed the game to grow more popular, and the ability to dive into both ranked and casual matches has made it a hit with all types of players.

"Squad-based battle royale done right, complete with cool heroes, a superb communication system, and polished mechanics." — IGN

Halo Infinite (XBX)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Fans of free-to-play multiplayer games
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Not only is Halo Infinite a stellar multiplayer game, but its single-player campaign breathed new life into what was becoming a stale formula. You'll set foot in an open world map and tackle challenges as you see fit — whether that's charging in with a Warthog or sniping foes from afar. The freedom given to you in Infinite is unlike any of its predecessors, making it one of the best games of 2021. Coupled with its free multiplayer mode (which offers a standard Halo affair plus some new weapons, power-ups, and maps), Halo Infinite offers a wealth of content. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players will find a lot to love about its multiplayer mode, and since it's free, there's no reason not to check it out.

"It's hard not to love Halo Infinite, which is easily the most complete game in a franchise that's long set the bar for gaming." — New York Daily News

PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds (PC)

Metascore: 86
Best for: Fans of battle royales
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PlayerUnknown's Battleground recently rebranded to PUBG: Battlegrounds, but its core gameplay remains largely intact. The game pits you against up to 99 other players as you attempt to outwit and survive the competition. That means scavenging for powerful weapons, gear, vehicles, and anything else that'll give you the upper hand. You'll even unlock a bunch of cosmetics as you play that can be used to personalize your player. It might be overshadowed by other battle royales, but its gritty atmosphere helps it stand out in an otherwise crowded market.

"The most immersive, intense, adrenaline-pumping, winner-take-all shooter of its time." — App Trigger

Destiny 2 (PS4)

Metascore: 85
Best for: Fans of massively multiplayer shooters
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Destiny 2 is best played with a few friends, as some its best content requires a few companions. However, even solo players can check out most of its cooperative and competitive action, along with plenty of side content that helps flesh out its intricate lore. If you're the competitive type, consider diving into the Crucible, which offers the usual suite of multiplayer game modes. Or, you can check out Gambit, a hybrid mode that sees you facing off against both NPCs and other real players. Whatever you decide to check out, you'll be treated to some of the smoothest FPS controls on the market and a long-winded story to go with it.

"A massive and rewarding game that offers the potential for hundreds of hours of fun and discovery with friends." — Game Informer

Valorant (PC)

Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans of character-based FPS games
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Take the tense firefights of Counter-Strike, throw in a roster of quirky characters, and you're pretty close to concept of Valorant. Developed by Riot Games (the same folks behind League of Legends), it should come as no surprise that there's a ridiculous amount of nuance behind each playable Agent. Viper, for example, is best at slowing chipping away at HP bars, while Sova is best for pinpointing enemy positions. Solo players can queue for matchmaking with strangers, but your best bet for enjoying Valorant is teaming up with a few reliable friends.

"Valorant transforms the best of CS:GO with agents and abilities, resulting in an exceptional FPS that everyone should try." — PC Gamer

Insurgency: Sandstorm (PC)

Metascore: 78
Best for: Fans of ultra-realistic shooters
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Insurgency: Sandstorm is an unforgiving team-based shooter. You'll be peeking around corners, breaching doorways, and communicating with your teammates to cover your back as you trek through its deadly war zones. Up to 13 other players can join your team, making its matches a bit larger in scale than others on this list. There's also a cooperative mode, which pits you and seven allies against hordes of AI-controlled enemies. When you're not sneaking around its dusty battlefields, Insurgency: Sandstorm lets you personalize your character and weapons with different gear and color palettes.

"Somehow in this most well-travelled of multiplayer FPS paths, Insurgency: Sandstorm feels fresh and innovative at every turn." — PC Gamer

Rainbow Six Siege (PS4)

Metascore: 73
Best for: Fans of tactical, team-based shooters
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Rainbow Six Siege might raise your heart rate more than Counter-Strike. After picking from one of more than 60 Operators, you'll set out with a small team to defuse bombs, rescue hostages, or secure a given area of the map. The other team, meanwhile, is doing everything they can to prevent your success. Gunplay is just as visceral as Counter-Strike, but the addition of Operator skills, security cameras, and the ability for the defending team to fortify their location before the start of a match gives Siege a ridiculously high skill ceiling.

"If you have an abundance of patience, fortitude, and maybe a few gamer friends you can wrangle up, Siege could be just the tactical shooter experience you're looking for." — GameCrate

Splitgate (PC)

Metascore: 71
Best for: Fans of nostalgic shooters
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Splitgate plays like a game from another era. Its simplistic mechanics make it easy for anyone to enjoy, but mastering its systems will take a lifetime. The big draw is the ability to place portals on the battlefield, giving you an easy way to quickly traverse the map or take shots at unsuspecting players. It's a unique mechanic, and one that you won't find in many other games. A new leveling system was implemented in 2022, which gives you a constant sense of progression and a reason to keep playing.

"Splitgate's portal gun makes it one of the smartest multiplayer shooters around." — IGN