League of Legends has pulled in more than 180 million players since launching in 2009, making it one of the most popular games of all time. The frenetic MOBA isn't easy to learn, but those willing to invest their time are rewarded with an intense gaming experience few titles can replicate.

Like most MOBAs, League of Legends tasks you and a few teammates with taking out your rival's base (located on the opposite side of the map). In order to get there, you'll fight through lanes filled with NPCs and other computer-controlled threats, periodically stumbling upon enemy players. To succeed, you'll need to have careful communication with your team and know the intricacies of your character by heart. It also doesn't hurt to have fast reflexes, allowing you to activate a deadly skill before your enemy has time to retreat.

A big reason League continues to thrive is due to its ever-growing roster of playable characters. Whether you're dominating your lane solo as Darius or wading through the jungle as Morgana, every character offers a unique playstyle and stunning visuals to go with it. Riot Games also went the extra mile to add detailed bios for each Champion, giving you a chance to learn more about their backstory and what makes them tick.

While League of Legends is at the top of its class, there are plenty of other MOBA games to check out if you need a break. And if you don't mind checking out other genres, you'll find plenty of highly competitive games that offer the same adrenaline rush as League.

Here are 10 games like League of Legends to play next, listed by Metascore.

Team Fortress 2 (PC)

Metascore: 92
Best for: Anyone seeking an over-the-top competitive shooter
Where to buy:

Team Fortress 2 is a curious game. It offers a bright and vibrant art style that immediately pulls you into its world, but hiding underneath that friendly exterior is an ultra-violent (and competitive) shooter. Before heading onto the battlefield, you'll choose from one of nine classes, including Engineer, Spy, Sniper, and Medic. Each class comes with its own customizable skillset that can help swing the fight in your favor. For example, the Medic can temporarily turn themselves and a teammate invincible, while the Engineer can throw down a Sentry to attack nearby enemies. The game also has an unhealthy obsession with hats, which only adds to its quirky charm.

"The marriage of highly stylized retro-spy presentation, fresh, high octane action, deep and varied classes… make Team Fortress 2 far more than just your average fragfest." — AceGamez

Overwatch (PC)

Metascore: 91
Best for: Fans of well-balanced, class-based shooters
Where to buy:

Blizzard knows how to craft a well-balanced game, and its first attempt at an FPS is further proof of that expertise. The team-based shooter requires more communication than your average round of Call of Duty, and its incredible attention to detail makes it a great game for League of Legends fans. Its roster of 30-plus characters is a far cry from League's 150-plus lineup, but each one has been meticulous balanced to meet Blizzard's high quality standards. A sequel, Overwatch 2, is expected to arrive later this year, offering an expanded look at its universe along with plenty of new content.

"Overwatch may well be the best new multiplayer shooter to come along since Modern Warfare and Team Fortress 2 took 2007 by storm." — USgamer

Dota 2 (PC)

Metascore: 90
Best for: MOBA fans looking for a new challenge
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: N/A

Dota 2 is the most obvious alternative for League of Legends. There are a lot of obvious similarities (after all, they're both MOBAs), but several key differences result in a very distinct player experience. For one, there's the art style: Dota 2 is much more detailed and a bit darker than its competitor. Gameplay is also a bit more complex than League and matches can last nearly twice as long. Because of this complexity, Dota 2 can be difficult to learn. But if you're already a League expert, figuring out the nuances of the game should pose a fun challenge.

"There's a steep, daunting learning curve, but Dota 2 offers one of the most rewarding game experiences you can find on PC today." — PC PowerPlay

League of Legends: Wild Rift (iOS)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Those who want to play League of Legends on the road
Where to buy: App Store
Also available on: N/A

If you like League of Legends, it's all but guaranteed you'll like its mobile spin-off, Wild Rift. In order to bring the game to the small screen, a couple changes had to be made. For one, aiming skills is essentially handled by an auto-lock system. Maps are also smaller to facilitate faster matches, making Wild Rift ideal for bite-sized gaming. A shortened match length means you get to the action faster, and you'll still have access to a robust roster of characters to take into the heat of battle. Rounding out the package is a reworked art style better suited to mobile play, although it's just as eye-catching as its older sibling.

"Riot Games somehow managed to make its flagship game streamlined and accessible all while maintaining the depth and nuance that keeps League of Legends matches interesting." — 148Apps

Diablo III (PC)

Metascore: 88
Best for: Fans of cooperative dungeon crawlers
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Diablo III shares the top-down perspective of League of Legends, along with the need for fast-reflexes and a carefully planned character build. Instead of having you run through lanes towards the enemy's base, however, you're sent on an epic adventure that spans dozens of unique biomes. After choosing one of several classes, you'll slay wave after wave of demonic creatures, earning experience points and discovering new gear. Playing solo is a blast, but Diablo III really shines when you team up with a few other players to take down its most challenging bosses. Diablo IV is also right around the corner, making now a great time to dive in.

"At its core, Diablo III is a series of combat encounters and, when you realize just how carefully it's put together, Blizzard's expertise is staggering." — Joystiq

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (PC)

Metascore: 83
Best for: Fans of high-stakes FPS games
Where to buy: Steam
Also available on: PS3, XB360

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is one of the most popular games on Steam, and for good reason: The title is the latest in the long-running Counter-Strike series, offering a refined take on the high-stakes shooter. One team is given the objective of planting a bomb or rescuing hostages, while the other does everything in their power to prevent that from happening. There's no respawning either, giving each round an added sense of importance and a real weight to all of your actions. Constant updates and a free-to-play monetization model have kept the community thriving, and its not uncommon to find more than 500,000 players enjoying the action on any given day.

"CS: GO stands as a glowing reminder that quality game design is rewarded in longevity and variety." — games™

Lost Ark (PC)

Metascore: 81
Best for: Fans of stylish ARPGs
Where to buy: 

Lost Ark is an interesting mash-up of ARPG and MMO. Played from a top-down perspective, Lost Ark lets you pick one of several classes, dive into a 40-plus hour campaign, and then settle in for an even lengthier endgame experience. When you're not mowing down hordes of enemies that fill up your screen, you can sail the high seas or craft items to sell on the player-driven marketplace. The game is a rather new arrival in North America, but since it was released years ago in select regions, Lost Ark is filled with enough content to keep you playing for hundreds of hours.

"An absolute blast thanks to its perfect blend of visceral ARPG combat and steady MMO progression." — Digital Trends

Smite (XB1)

Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans seeking a complex MOBA for consoles
Where to buy: 

Few MOBAs have been released on consoles, and even fewer have pulled in positive reviews. Smite stands alone as the best choice for Xbox, PlayStation, and Switch players looking for a deep MOBA experience. The action takes a different perspective, however, as the camera is pulled back behind your character for a traditional third-person view, which helps make the action seem more frantic than others in the genre. Aside from the camera, the usual MOBA tropes are intact. You'll have a huge roster of characters to choose from, a need for careful communication with your team, and constant updates to keep the community coming back for more.

"Hi-Rez has been able to do what no other company has done and that is being a true MOBA experience, filled with depth, strategy and challenge to the consoles." — Gaming Nexus

Valorant (PC)

Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans of team-based shooters
Where to buy: 

Valorant is another competitive title from Riot Games. It takes aspects of Overwatch and Counter-Strike and combines them into something new — and something that League of Legends fans are bound to enjoy. You'll first choose from one of more than a dozen characters, outfit them with gear, then dive into a methodical shootout that will put your reflexes (and teamwork) to the test. It's not quite as popular as some other FPS games, but with more than 16 million active players, fans of highly competitive should have more than enough to sink their teeth into with Valorant.

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

Pokémon Unite (Switch)

Metascore: 70
Best for: Those looking for family-friendly action with plenty of nuance
Where to buy: Switch eShop
Also available on: iOS

Pokémon Unite is a highly accessible MOBA for all skill levels. Not only does it offer approachable gameplay mechanics, but you'll have the chance to roam the battlefield as one of a dozen iconic characters, including Snorlax, Charizard, Dragonite, and Blastoise. Instead of trying to destroy your enemies base, you'll need to score points by defeating enemies and cashing in your points at a nearby Goal Zone. It's a fun twist on the formula, and one that makes it feel like you're always contributing to the leaderboard.

"Pokémon Unite busts out the gate as a very solid, very easy to pick up and play MOBA game." — App Trigger