The Best Competitive FPS Games in 2023
The never-dying urge of gamers to play FPS (first person shooter) games and dominate their enemies has led to the creation of thousands of first-person shooters. Back in the day, games like MOHAA and IGI ignited a spark in the hearts of gamers, and ever since, many FPS games have hit the market, Sadly, only a handful of games have the staying power required to become a competitive game that’s worth playing and mastering, and in this article we’re looking at the best competitive FPS games in 2023.
There are so many FPS games on the market that it’s getting hard to keep track of all of them. Thus, we’ve prepared a brief guide of the best competitive FPS games on the market that are trendy, populated with tons of players, and will really allow you to get sweaty while learning the mechanics and trying to get closer to the skill ceiling.
Best Competitive FPS Games in 2023
Major game development studios seem to be at each other’s throats with their own FPS games, each one offering a slightly different experience. However, only a select few have been able to strike the right chord with gamers. In this article, we will take a look at them in our round-up of the best competitive FPS games in 2023.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive / CS2 – Tactical Shooter
More than a decade after its release, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (also referred to as CS: GO) remains the most popular competitive FPS on the market. Whether you’re competing in deathmatches or going on a solo ride, CS: GO will present a challenge, regardless of your existing shooter skills.
Over the years, the game has matured significantly and was constantly improved with regular updates, leading to a game with an extremely healthy pro/competitive scene. And unlike many of its rivals, pay-to-win has never been a factor in this game, which is another major factor in its success.
The game’s highly competitive nature has spurred the creation of numerous international tournaments, which have played a significant role in the game’s overall success, and there are absolutely no signs of slowing down. CS:GO was posting record concurrent player counts just a couple of weeks ago, and that’s extremely impressive for a game this old. The fact that it’s got a sequel underway means that we might see unprecedented levels of hype when CS2 finally gets released.
If you’d like to test your skills against the might of the most skilled shooter players and you are someone with a tactical brain who likes to outplay and outmaneuver opponents , CS: GO is the place to do it.
Call of Duty: Warzone – Battle Royale
Introducing Battle Royale on a massive scale, Call of Duty: Warzone played a major role in mainstreaming the battle royale games on PC and consoles. Warzone’s Battle Royale mode is one of the most competitive and toughest modes to compete in. In this mode, up to 150 players are pitted against each other on a massive map, but only one remains to claim victory.
COD Warzone allows you to either play solo or with a team of other players. If you truly want to test your might, going solo against a group of skilled players is the finest way to experience the competitive nature of the game.
Warzone 2, a sequel to the original, is also available to play right now and it features improved mechanics. There are also fewer hackers in the sequel, which might be enough to top the scales for some. For the last couple of years, Call of Duty: Warzone has managed to stay on the top charts of the best competitive FPS games, all thanks to its enthralling mixture of battle royale gameplay sprinkled with that CoD seasoning that everyone loves.
VALORANT – Tactical Shooter with Abilities
A modern take on shooters such as CS:GO, Valorant is another tactical shooter that has struck the right chord with FPS gamers thanks to the unique experience that it offers. Building on the framework and mechanics of CS: GO (Riot, the developers of VALORANT, make no secret of the fact that they’ve heavily been influenced by CS:GO) VALORANT adds special characters, referred to as agents. Each agent has special abilities that can completely change the course of the battle.
VALORANT is extremely competitive and a single bullet to the head to enough to take care of you. But, if you manage to hone your skills and get a grip on the special abilities of your agents, leading the pack and dominating the opponents isn’t impossible, even if your aim isn’t the greatest.
Multiple modes of gaming are included and it is up to you to decide which one you fancy the most. Everything from TDM to FFA is there, so there’s plenty to love for everyone.
Apex Legends – Battle Royale with Abilities
Apex Legends has seen a bit of a resurgence in recent times. It was never a game that lacked players, but it seems to be absolutely soaring in comparison to a year or two ago, and that’s always nice to see for fans of competitive shooter games. Featuring battle royales in gigantic settings, this FPS game requires precision and a conscious mind to excel and be crowned the winner.
The fast-paced nature of the game is quite unforgiving if you don’t have the right skills, making it one of the most fierce and competitive FPS games on the planet. Each player plays as a legend that relies on its unique ability to help get through the carnage, and that’s one of Apex Legends’ defining features.
Fortunately, you won’t be playing alone as you’re accompanied by two other players during the whole match, unless they die and you can’t bring them to a respawn beacon in time.
Apex Legends is a game that rewards teamwork and strategy, and the super fast-paced movement along with the legend-based teamplay gives you a unique take on the battle royale genre.
Overwatch 2 – FPS/MOBA Mixture with Abilities
Overwatch 2 is one of the newest entries in the competitive gaming world, and the successor to the well-liked Overwatch 1 has already made it to the charts of the best competitive FPS games in 2023. Improving on the original installment, Overwatch 2 further emphasizes teamwork, flawless aim, and the use of strong tactics against a lineup of enemy players who are (just as you and your teammates) all using characters with unique abilities and ultimates.
Each team consists of five players, and those players are divided into different roles. There is one tank, two damage dealers, and two support players who provide healing and, well… support. There are other roles where this gets shuffled up, but the main competitive mode pits two teams of players against each other in this configuration. With so many heroes to choose from, your team comp is extremely important, and this makes Overwatch 2 a game that can get very tactical at the higher levels.
With new modes, improved graphics, and a faster update schedule, Overwatch 2 is a popular FPS among enthusiasts. And surprisingly, in just six months, Overwatch 2 has managed to achieve a peak of 1.7 million concurrent players. This accomplishment, without a doubt, represents a major milestone for the franchise.
When compared to other fast-paced games, Overwatch 2 requires a significant investment of time to hone your skills and get to grips with all the different characters. If you’re not familiar with the mechanics inside out, finding your feet in competitive modes would be a near-impossible task.
Conclusion
When it comes to competitive FPS games, we’re truly living in a golden age. There are tons of options to choose from, and any option in this list stands for a game that offers a ton of depth and a load of options for you to dive deep into the game and hone your skills. You can always become a multi-game player, but if you truly want to grind the ranks and compete with the best we recommend you to choose one game to specialize in, so choose carefully!
