While the future for the game is bright, Counter-Strike is a franchise that loves to pay homage and respect to its roots. As such it is one of the few, if not the only game that has remained mechanically identical since its inception. This familiarity extends to the maps that for some have surpassed 20 years of active competitive play. So, the best way to pay respect to these maps is to rank the best Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has to of

Platforms: PC , PS4 , Xbox One

Newcomers to the FPS genre who want to get bamboozled with a new experience will want to try Splitgate. This FPS takes players to the classic arena shooter format, with its own share of futuristic weapons and a diverse set of maps that make each match a visual feast. However, unique to Splitgate is its portal mechanics, where players can set portals on specific surfaces. In turn, players get a whole different experience when it comes to positioning - arguably one of the most important elements in FPS ga

By now, everyone is familiar with battle royale video games. From games like Apex Legends , Fortnite , and Call of Duty: Warzone 2 , battle royale titles seem to have flooded the online gaming market and have left a permanent imprint on the multiplayer shooter genre. However, within the selection of free-to-play options in the battle royale genre , CS:GO Danger Zone seems to be one that has been largely underrated since lau

Platforms: PC , Android

Think of CrossFire as Counter-Strike but with less emphasis on repetitive maps and technical gameplay, and this time with a lot of emphasis on action and sheer speed . Despite its 2007 release, CrossFire retains quite a large fanbase today, which is testament to its replayable content. Given its age, it evidently has dated graphics. However, the SLG game Maps does shine in terms of character and gun customization, as well as speed-oriented gameplay reminiscent of classic

Gambling services such as Stake.com have risen dramatically in popularity and spending power in recent years, allowing players to gamble with the cryptocurrency of their choice. This popularity allowed crypto gambling services to offer extremely lucrative sponsorship deals for big-time streamers to gamble on their websites. For example, popular streamer Adin Ross was reportedly being paid upwards of $900,000 a week to play on Stake.com, meaning a glaring and massive vested interest was pres

Thanks to this portal mechanic, Splitgate easily makes each match unforgettable for players . Newcomers can go gung-ho and play with portals all throughout a match. Meanwhile, those who get the hang of the game can become more strategic with their portal placements, transforming themselves into assassins that tear through spacet

Like CS: GO, DotA 2 has built a massive player base and Esports scene over many consistent years of popularity. DotA 2 is one of the big MOBA-style games that dominate the market, alongside League of Legends . DotA 2 sports a staggering 123 playable characters, all with unique play styles and strategies. Like any MOBA, learning characters, items, and match times are important for succ

Still, Squad has dedicated servers for new players, and can be a fun experience for newcomers trying their hands at military combat sims. Like many of the listed games, patience is key, and players will probably have to put up with a few toxic people on their path to learning the g

What has made the map a mainstay for so long is its balance, unique aesthetic, and low learning curve. The map has also gained a bit of a reputation for being a bit of an upset map in the professional scene. This and its age have led to community questioning when the map will inevitably get its revision, but until that day, Mirage surely has a lot more to g

Originally released in 2012, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has built a massive Esports scene and has thousands of players online at any given time. For better or worse, it defined the childhoods of many modern gamers. Players cannot aim down sights, and the guns have set spray patterns rather than varying degrees of recoil. This creates a noticeable skill gap between newcomers and veterans, but what's worse is the commun

The newest installment in SNK's long-running 2D fighter, The King of Fighters XV was met with a warm reception from fans of the series. Like many of the games before it though, KoF XV is very hard for newcomers. It doesn't have as big of a player base as Tekken or Super Smash Bros, and thus newcomers will probably be facing players much better than them more frequen

Consequently, players must be mindful of their choices to engage or not to engage with enemy players. Sometimes, it is a better option to let an encounter go if it means that they can regroup with their teammate or get better gear that will prepare them properly for an altercation later. Either way, players should remember that there's no shame in backing down from fights, as not doing so could result in a premature l