Overwatch 2 is the follow-up to the iconic hero-shooter from 2016, offering new characters to master, new maps to explore, and a sweeping graphical overhaul. It's more of an expansion of Overwatch than a true sequel, but whatever you call it, reviews indicate Blizzard has another hit on its hands.

If you played the original, you already know what to expect with Overwatch 2. There haven't been too many radical changes (beyond the swap to a 5v5 format instead of its old 6v6 format), and fans of team-based shooters will get tons of mileage out of this long-awaited game. Tracer, Mercy Genji, D.Va, and all the other familiar faces are back for round two, and the introduction of such new heroes as Kiriko and Sojourn are welcome additions to the battlefield.

If you haven't played the original, Overwatch 2 will be even more exciting. This FPS has you facing off against another team in objective-based matches: some rounds might have you defending certain locations, while others will have you trying to capture the enemy's flag while protecting your own. There's also a standard death match if you just need to blow off steam. What makes Overwatch 2 so compelling, however, is the high level of polish and well-balanced roster of characters. You'll steadily unlock new characters as you play, and learning how they can impact each match will give you hundreds of hours of fun.

Overwatch 2 is already a great game, but folks who sank thousands of hours into the original might be a bit disappointed by its launch. Tons of new content is expected to arrive in the next year (including a PvE mode), but for now players are left with a game that's eerily similar to the original. If you're on the lookout for another great shooter, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Here are 10 games like Overwatch 2 to play next, listed by Metascore.

Team Fortress 2 (PC)

Metascore: 92
Best for: Fans of team-based shooters
Where to buy:

Team Fortress 2 has been around for over a decade, yet it's still one of the most-played games on Steam. That's largely due to its colorful cast of characters and treasure trove of unlockable content, both of which give you reasons to keep coming back and perfecting your playstyle. The game is a team-based shooter, with each side tackling objectives such as capturing enemy intel or securing positions on the map. Coordination is the key to success, as each character offers unique abilities that can help your team put points on the scoreboard. Whether you're looking to be a long-range sniper, elusive spy, or flamethrowing Pyro, Team Fortress 2 continues to be one of the best FPS games on the market.

"Team Fortress 2 is, at heart, a gloriously simple game that's been created with style, panache, and an undeniable love of gaming." — PALGN

Apex Legends (PS4)

Metascore: 89
Best for: Fans of fast-paced battle royales
Where to buy:

If you don't mind jumping into a battle royale, Overwatch 2 fans will find a lot to love about Apex Legends. You'll get to choose from one of several characters to play as, each with their own set of abilities. For example, Bloodhound can track nearby enemies, while Gibraltar can throw down defensive shields. Once you've selected a character, you and your squad mates will drop into a gigantic map filled with dozens of other players with the goal of being the last crew standing. A fluid movement system and wide assortment of guns make its moment-to-moment gameplay absolutely thrilling, and its constant seasonal updates ensure there's always something new to explore.

"The combination of character-driven powers, streamlined team features, and fantastic gunplay have elevated this unexpected spin-off into my go-to battle royale." — Game Informer

Halo Infinite (XBX)

Metascore: 87
Best for: Fans of open-world adventures
Where to buy:

Halo Infinite offers both a sprawling single-player campaign and competitive online multiplayer. The campaign has you trekking around an open-world environment as you fight the Banished and explore the mysterious Zeta Halo. Along with new weapons, you'll also be introduced to the Grappleshot, a gadget that lets you scale vertical surfaces or pull in distance items. Once you've wrapped up the lengthy campaign, you can head online for intense team-based firefights. Both ranked and casual modes are offered, and there's a robust Battle Pass system that ensures there's always a cool reward around the next corner.

"Master Chief's latest adventure is by far the best game by 343 Industries yet, and gives the series the much needed boost to get back on top of the shooter genre." — BaziCenter

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (PC)

Metascore: 83
Best for: Fans of tactical FPS games
Where to buy: 

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive switched to a free-to-play model in 2018, and its servers have been bursting at the seams with players ever since. In fact, it's not uncommon for it to get close to one million concurrent users. The team-based shooter's primary game mode has two teams facing off to plant or defuse a bomb, and the big selling point is that players can't respawn. This adds a layer of tension not found in other games, as it only takes a few well-placed shots to get knocked out and become a spectator until the end of the round.

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

Splatoon 3 (Switch)

Metascore: 83
Best for: Fans of over-the-top, multiplayer action
Where to buy:

Splatoon 3 is a family-friendly multiplayer game with a surprisingly high skill ceiling. The third-person shooter gives you access to a variety of game modes (including a solo campaign and cooperative PvE mode), but the big draw is the competitive Turf Wars. This has teams competing to cover the map in as much paint as possible, using a motley assortment of tools that double as weapons if an enemy gets too close for comfort. It's radically different from most competitive games, as your goal is to paint the ground instead of shoot enemies, but fans of Overwatch 2's team-based shooting will be right at home with Splatoon 3.

"With a great story, complete game modes, and a lot of great features, this is a stylish game that has left us in love with Splatsville and its inhabitants." — Nintenderos

Knockout City (PS4)

Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans of family-friendly "shooters"
Where to buy: PlayStation Store
Also available on: PC, PS5, Switch, XB1, XBX

Knockout City is a psychological shooter disguised as a dodgeball game. You and your small crew will set out to eliminate the other team by pelleting them with dodgeballs and using fancy power-ups that turn your projectiles into explosives, lock enemies in a cage, or let you snipe players across the map. What makes the game so enjoyable, however, are the number of ways you can change up your average throw. Knockout City lets you perform fake throws, lob throws, or charge up your throws for added speed. Play your cards right, and your enemy will never know when the correct time is to dodge — opening the door for an easy knockout.

"With its easy-to-understand mechanics, along with the complex mind games involved in almost any interaction, it is very satisfying for quick play sessions." — Checkpoint Gaming

Valorant (PC)

Metascore: 80
Best for: Fans of high-stakes hero shooters
Where to buy:

Having launched in 2020, Valorant is one of the newest entries in the world of team-based shooters. It plays a bit like a combination of Overwatch 2 and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, as you'll first choose from a list of more than a dozen playable characters (each with unique skills), then take them into a battle with four other players by your side. The core game mode doesn't offer respawns, so you'll need to be incredibly cautious unless you want to wind up as a spectator for the rest of the match. Valorant is constantly seeing updates and has a thriving competitive scene, making it a great choice for players who want to sink their teeth into an FPS that has plenty of longevity.

"Valorant is deep, complex, and it always pushes you to do your best and become a better player." — Vandal 

Paladins: Champions of the Realm (Switch)

Metascore: 74
Best for: Fans of MOBA-inspired shooters
Where to buy: Switch eShop
Also available on: PC, PS4, XB1

Paladins is a free-to-play shooter that combines standard FPS tropes with a few MOBA-inspired tweaks. You'll face off in traditional matches that require fast-reflexes and careful planning, but you'll also get to customize your playstyle by purchasing items while in-game that can help you gain the edge in combat. These perks run the gamut from increasing your reload speed to enhancing damage dealt to certain enemy types. The game currently offers nearly 60 different playable characters, and learning how they all work is bound to keep you busy for hundreds of hours.

"Paladins has its own unique identity and deserves your attention. Hi-Rez studios has crafted a solid online hero shooter with some fun and unique twists on the genre." — Gameplanet

Rainbow Six Siege (PS4)

Metascore: 73
Best for: Fans of environmental destruction
Where to buy:

Unlike most shooters, which give you a map that doesn't change during your playtime, Rainbow Six Siege lets you manipulate your environment as you see fit. Most walls, floors, and other objects are fully destructible, letting the Attackers team create new vantage points to assail the enemy. If you're on the Defenders team, you can destroy your environment too, but you'll also have the option to reinforce walls, windows, and doors to make them more secure. Toss in dozens of unique playable characters, a constant stream of updates, and a thriving competitive scene, and it's easy to see why Rainbow Six Siege is a great alternative to Overwatch 2.

"Stakes and tensions run high whether playing solo or in a group, but the game truly shines when you're working with a coherent team, so pick this game up and find one." — Cheat Code Central

Warframe (PS4)

Metascore: 64
Best for: Fans of space ninjas
Where to buy: PlayStation Store
Also available on: PC, PS5, Switch, XB1

Overwatch 2 is expected to launch its cooperative PvE mode sometime in 2023. But if you can't wait that long, Warframe is a great alternative. This sci-fi shooter lets you and a few other players run around as space ninjas, slicing and shooting your way through ever stronger groups of enemies and leveling up your skills in the process. Its competitive PvP mode isn't as active as it was at launch, but it's never hard to find a group of players ready to tackle some PvE challenges. Aside from its frantic gameplay, Warframe employs a remarkably complex leveling system that allows you to build your perfect space ninja.

"The core gameplay, including the variety of suits and weapons, is terrific, and it's reason enough to play this sci-fi shooter." — IGN