Valorant review

Valorant is the closest rival to Counter-Strike 2 and the better fit for players who want abilities on top of aim. Riot's site describes a 5v5 tactical shooter in which you have 13 rounds to attack and defend your side with sharp gunplay and tactical abilities, and only one life per round. Each Agent brings a kit of abilities meant to set up plays for your gunfire, so two players on the same map can approach it very differently. Beyond Competitive, the site lists Unranked, Deathmatch and Spike Rush for shorter or looser sessions. It is free to play, with optional purchases for cosmetics. The drawbacks are that it runs through Riot's own client rather than Steam, the home page does not publish PC requirements, and one-life rounds take time to learn. It ranks just behind Battlefield 6 on capabilities, but its free price keeps it close.

Who it is for

Competitive players who want a free round-based shooter with character abilities.

Price

Free to play; optional in-game purchases for cosmetics.

Play For Free
Quoted from the vendor pricing page on November 10, 2026.

Key features

• 13 rounds to attack and defend your side
• One life per round
• Agents with adaptive, swift and lethal abilities
• Competitive, Unranked, Deathmatch and Spike Rush modes
• Maps built for team strategies

Strengths and weaknesses

• Strength: Free to play from Riot's own site
• Strength: Abilities give more variety than a pure gun shooter
• Strength: Several casual modes alongside ranked play
• Weakness: Not sold on Steam, so it needs Riot's own client
• Weakness: Riot does not list system requirements on the home page
• Weakness: One-life rounds are unforgiving for new players

Key facts

• Developer: Riot Games
• Price: Free to play
• Team size: 5v5
• Round format: 13 rounds per side, one life per round
• Modes: Competitive, Unranked, Deathmatch, Spike Rush

Where it ranks

Valorant is No. 4 in our Best First-Person Shooters verdict and No. 5 in Best Free Games for Adults and No. 2 in Best Free Online Games.