Esports, or electronic sports, have become a global phenomenon, attracting millions of players and viewers alike. The competitive nature, strategic depth, and adrenaline-pumping action of esports have turned video games into a legitimate and highly entertaining form of competition. With a plethora of esports titles available, choosing the right game to invest your time and skill into can be challenging. In this article, we’ll explore the top 12 best esports games that you can play, each offering a unique gaming experience and a thriving competitive scene.
1. Apex Legends
After creating two outstanding yet underappreciated Titanfall games, Respawn, the game developer, finally attained well-deserved success with the widely popular battle royale shooter, Apex Legends.
Set within the Titanfall universe, Apex Legends shifts from controlling massive robots to nimble mercenaries. These vibrant characters boast various unique abilities, such as Wraith’s ability to traverse dimensions or Mirage’s skill to cloak and generate holograms. Moreover, effective communication tools ensure seamless coordination among teams.
The remarkable success of Apex Legends persists through its ongoing tournaments, known as The Apex Legends Global Series. Explore the schedule for upcoming events to discover the substantial prize pools awaiting participants.
2. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive
Released in 2012 as the successor to Counter-Strike and Counter-Strike: Condition Zero, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, commonly known as CS: GO, quickly gained global acclaim as one of the most renowned first-person shooter (FPS) esports games. By August 2020, the official website reported a staggering player base exceeding 20 million worldwide.
The prestigious Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major Championships (Majors), initiated in 2013 and sponsored by Valve, the American game developer, has become a significant international tournament in the gaming community.
Genre: FPS
Platforms: Windows, Mac, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Linux
3. Call of Duty: Warzone 2.0
The initial Warzone demonstrated that Call of Duty continued to captivate shooter enthusiasts within the bustling battle royale landscape. Warzone 2.0, a comprehensive sequel released in conjunction with Modern Warfare II, introduces an exciting array of updates, including a fresh map (Building 21) and mode (DMZ).
While the original Warzone remains accessible, a franchise of this magnitude wouldn’t abandon a significant player base without notice. Nevertheless, for elite players seeking to challenge themselves in premier tournaments, the latest version, Warzone 2.0, stands as the preferred and cutting-edge choice.
4. Fortnite
Fortnite, a third-person shooter esports game developed by Epic Games in 2017, has become one of the most popular titles in the survival and battle royale genres. The game features three distinct modes: Save the World, Battle Royale, and Creative.
In Fortnite Battle Royale, a free player-versus-player game, you can engage in battles with up to 100 players, including yourself. What sets Fortnite apart is its unique blend of traditional shooting mechanics and the ability for players to construct walls, stairs, and other fortifications using various materials.
The pinnacle of competitive Fortnite is the Fortnite World Cup, an event sponsored with a staggering $100 million by Epic Games, which has been held annually since 2019. This tournament showcases the best players from around the world competing for glory and significant cash prizes.
Genre: Third-Person Shooter (TPS)
Platforms: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X
5. Dota 2
“Accessible to newcomers yet challenging for seasoned players.” This expression commonly characterizes various activities, particularly within the realm of gaming. Few games embody this principle as strongly as Defense of the Ancients 2 (Dota 2), a highly popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game.
In this free-to-play MOBA, players are tasked with choosing from a roster of over 100 playable Heroes to engage in intense battles. Success hinges on leveraging each character’s distinct abilities, play style, and attributes to contribute to your team’s triumph.
While the mechanics of the MOBA genre may seem perplexing to those unfamiliar, the annual Dota 2 International boasts staggering prize pools (exceeding $30 million!) and fierce competition. These factors make the game a compelling esport, providing a spectacle worth watching for those willing to delve into its intricacies.
6. Splatoon 2
Released in 2017 during the Nintendo Switch’s initial release, Splatoon 2 stands as one of the most renowned third-person shooter games from the esteemed Japanese game developer Nintendo. Serving as the sequel to the 2015 Wii U title Splatoon, this game puts players in control of Inkling, a humanoid-squid hybrid, engaging in battles with others through shooting, ground covering, and swimming using vibrant ink.
Featuring 5 distinct battle modes, Splatoon 2 pits groups of four players against another group. With an extensive arsenal of over 100 weapons and more than 40 battlefields, the game provides a diverse and dynamic experience. The Splatoon 2 international championships took place at the renowned ES 2018 and 2019 gaming expos. Anticipation is high among fans for the release of the next installment in the series.
Genre: Third-Person Shooter (TPS)
Platform: Nintendo Switch
7. Dragon Ball FighterZ
Apart from Fist of the North Star and JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, few anime franchises lend themselves as naturally to the world of fighting games as the Dragon Ball series. With its extensive narrative spanning multiple series, movies, and generations of characters, Akira Toriyama’s manga-to-anime-to-game adaptation revolves around muscular warriors, humans, aliens, androids engaging in earth-shaking battles.
The most recent video game iteration of the series, Dragon Ball FighterZ, departs from the arena-brawling model seen in the Xenoverse games, opting instead for a 3 vs. 3 tag-team fighting format on a 2D plane. This gameplay evolution is just one of the many factors propelling Dragon Ball FighterZ into the spotlight as one of the most captivating titles in the esports realm. Its stunning visuals, intense combat sequences, and user-friendly control scheme combine to create a game that welcomes players of all levels for an exhilarating Super Saiyan experience.
Beyond its presence at Evo, this anime-inspired fighter boasts an expanded competitive scene, thanks to Bandai Namco’s Dragon Ball FighterZ World Tour.
8. League of Legends
LoL, or League of Legends, is a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) esports title created by the American video game developer Riot Games in 2009. In this game, teams of 5 players engage in battles, controlling unique characters known as “champions,” with the ultimate goal of attacking and defeating the opposing team’s base.
The esports scene for League of Legends is vibrant and includes both international and domestic tournaments held globally. Esports enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the annual League of Legends World Championship, where players vie for a prize pool exceeding 2 million dollars.
Genre: MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena)
Platform: Windows, Mac
9. The King of Fighters XV
SNK’s most recent installment in the enduring The King of Fighters series stands out as one of the premier competitive fighting games available. It marks a significant improvement over its predecessor, earning it a spotlight as a main event at Evo 2023.
The game, KOFXV, introduces an innovative combat system, boasts an impressive aesthetic with vibrant stages and ray tracing, and delivers the diverse and extensive roster characteristic of the franchise. While matchmaking may occasionally be inconsistent, the inclusion of excellent rollback netcodes significantly enhances the online gaming experience.
10. Mortal Kombat 1
Mortal Kombat 1 liberates itself from its notorious rigid gameplay mechanics, introducing high-flying air combos and inventive tag-team Kameo fighters. The game is now a joy for players and a spectacle for onlookers, offering a more dynamic experience. Managing two characters simultaneously provides skilled combatants with additional strategic choices in competitive scenarios. The game’s diverse single-player modes provide ample opportunities for practice before engaging live opponents.
NetherRealm Studios actively backs Mortal Kombat 1 through its Mortal Kombat Pro Kompetition esports initiative.
11. Valorant
Released in 2020 by the renowned American game developer Riot Games, Valorant is a contemporary online first-person shooter designed for the Windows platform. Riot Games, widely recognized for the popular MOBA esports title League of Legends, ventured into the realm of FPS with Valorant.
In Valorant, two teams, each comprising five players, engage in fierce battles. The objective is clear: the attacking team aims to set and activate a bomb known as Spike, while the defending team strives to thwart their plans. Notably, the inaugural international championship for Valorant players took place in Hanoi in June 2020.
Genre: FPS
Platform: Windows
12. Overwatch 2
Not all shooters need to embrace a dark, gritty, or realistic tone; there’s a place for cartoony fun in gun-centric PC games. Valve’s Team Fortress 2 held that spot for almost a decade, but now, Blizzard has taken the reins with Overwatch. Drawing inspiration from Team Fortress 2, Overwatch incorporates colorful levels, diverse game modes emphasizing team-based attack and defense, and unique characters with distinct play styles. The game also introduces MOBA-like elements to enhance the experience.
Overwatch 2 completely replaces its predecessor, making the original game inaccessible. Nonetheless, the sequel stands as a thoroughly enjoyable first-person shooter, boasting mechanical diversity through its numerous heroes and classes. As expected, it has cultivated a thriving esports scene, supported by Blizzard through various initiatives, including the Overwatch World Cup.
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