Are you a fan of the hit game Team Fortress 2 but are looking for something fresh and new to play? While the game continues to be popular, it's always good to broaden your gaming horizons and explore similar games that cater to the same tastes. In this article, we will showcase the top 5 alternative games to Team Fortress 2, each providing a unique spin on the popular multiplayer FPS genre. Read on to learn about the gameplay, story, and setting of these exciting alternatives.
1. Overwatch
When discussing alternative games to Team Fortress 2, Overwatch, developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment, undoubtedly comes to mind. This vibrant, team-based first-person shooter has been a massive success, attracting millions of players worldwide since its release in May 2016.
Gameplay
Overwatch consists of two teams of six players each, battling against each other in various game modes such as Escort, Assault, Control, and Hybrid. The game emphasizes teamwork and coordination, as players must collaborate to achieve objectives and push back opposing forces.
Story and Setting
Set in a futuristic, highly-stylized world, Overwatch follows a diverse cast of heroes, each with their unique abilities and personalities. Players can choose from a roster of 32 heroes, ranging from fierce frontline warriors to damage-dealers and support specialists. Each hero caters to different playstyles and offers strategic depth, ensuring that Overwatch remains fresh and engaging in every match.
2. Paladins: Champions of the Realm
Paladins, developed by Hi-Rez Studios, is another team-based, first-person shooter that brings its unique charm and mechanics to the table. It combines hero shooter elements with collectible cards, offering players a highly customizable and engaging multiplayer experience.
Gameplay
Similar to Overwatch, Paladins is a 6v6 objective-based game, where players select from a pool of champions, divided into four classes: Front Line, Damage, Support, and Flank. The use of a card system allows players to customize their champions' strengths and abilities, permitting adaptability and versatility during matches.
Story and Setting
Set in a vibrant, fantasy world at war, Paladins has a wide variety of champions with rich backstories and personalities, coming together to fight for their convictions. Each champion boasts unique abilities and playstyles, ensuring a diverse and immersive multiplayer experience.
3. Dirty Bomb
Dirty Bomb, developed by Splash Damage, is a squad-based, objective-focused first-person shooter. Set in the ruins of a post-apocalyptic London, Dirty Bomb is also free-to-play and is known for its fast-paced, intense matches.
Gameplay
Players are divided into two teams, dubbed Jackals and CDA (Central Disaster Authority), and must complete various objectives dependent on the game mode. These modes include Stopwatch, Objective, and Execution. Players can choose from a roster of 23 mercenaries, each with their distinctive abilities and weapons. Dirty Bomb emphasizes coordination and teamwork, rewarding players who adapt and strategize as a team.
Story and Setting
In a post-apocalyptic London ravaged by mysterious attacks and quarantines, players take on the role of hired mercenaries, fighting for the highest bidder. The gritty, war-torn setting provides an intense backdrop for thrilling firefights and brutal aesthetics.
4. Warframe
With its sci-fi setting and cooperative gameplay, Warframe, developed by Digital Extremes, offers players an immersive journey through a universe in conflict. With both PvP and PvE modes, Warframe's expansive lore, deep progression system, and dynamic combat make it a worthy alternative to Team Fortress 2.
Gameplay
Played from a third-person perspective, Warframe thrusts players into the shoes of the Tenno, an ancient warrior race awakened from slumber to defend the galaxy from various threats. Equipped with customizable exoskeletons called Warframes, players can customize their abilities, weapons, and playstyles. The game offers a vast array of missions and game modes that cater to both solo and co-op experiences, including Survival, Defense, Interception, and Spy missions. There is also a PvP component called the Conclave, offering competitive play in game modes such as Team Annihilation, Capture the Cephalon, and Lunaro.
Story and Setting
Warframe's lore is rich and detailed, set in a far-flung future where ancient civilizations and futuristic technology collide. Players embark on a journey through various planets and solar systems, engaging with diverse factions and uncovering the secrets behind the Tenno's origin and purpose. The cinematic storytelling and immersive atmosphere make Warframe a thrilling and rewarding experience for those willing to invest time into this expansive universe.
5. Apex Legends
Joining the ranks of modern team-based shooters is Apex Legends, a free-to-play battle royale game developed by Respawn Entertainment. With its unique blend of first-person shooter mechanics and the tense survival aspect of battle royale games, Apex Legends provides a refreshing and distinctive experience within the genre.
Gameplay
At its core, Apex Legends offers an intense survival experience, where teams of three players must navigate a steadily shrinking map while eliminating opposing squads. Players can choose from a pool of 18 Legends, colorful characters with unique abilities and roles in the team composition. The fast-paced gunplay and agile movement system create exhilarating encounters that reward quick thinking and teamwork. Adding to the game's depth is the use of a 'ping' system, which allows seamless communication between teammates without voice chat. This innovative feature greatly enhances coordination and planning between players, ensuring that even teammates who do not speak the same language can work toward victory.
Story and Setting
Set in the same universe as Respawn's Titanfall series, Apex Legends takes place in a sci-fi world called the Outlands. The game's backstory reveals an intricate blend of political intrigue, personal motivations, and a colorful cast of characters, all vying for the title of 'Apex Champion' in the Apex Games. Seasonal events and updates continually unravel the game's rich lore while introducing new Legends, weapons, and map changes to keep players engaged.
Bottom Line
The five alternative games to Team Fortress 2 discussed above cater to players who enjoy team-based, first-person shooters with diverse rosters of unique characters. Whether you prefer the fast-paced action of Overwatch, the strategic depth offered by Paladins, or the intense survival experience of Apex Legends, these games each provide a different spin on the multiplayer FPS genre. As you explore these alternative games, take the time to appreciate the unique gameplay mechanics, stories, and settings that each title offers. By doing so, you might just discover the next gaming gem that will become your new favorite pastime. Happy gaming!