Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) has been the dominant FPS game for decades.

But with the launch of Riot Games’ Valorant, there is a new competitive shooter at the top.

The style and gameplay immediately drew parallels to CS:GO.

Rather than choosing which game is the best, we’ll talk more on their differences, and you can make the choice.

Valorant

Abilties

Valorant attracts an audience used to fantasy elements in their combat games.

Each character has a backstory and a set of awesome unique abilities that they carry.

They are divided into four categories called controller, sentinel, initiator, and duelist. They each have a function within the game.

These abilities range from deploying robots that detonate, gathering intel on enemies with scans, launching smokescreens, and reviving dead teammates.

Valorant abilities have a profound impact on the outcome of the game. When used properly, they will turn the tides of battle even without the need to shoot.

Gameplay Speed

At first glance, when you enter the game, you might think that the two games share a very similar game engine. But Valorant is a new-age FPS that borrows from a wider range of influences.

The game has 24 rounds of highly engaging gameplay, with a team having to win 13 rounds to secure the game.

A CS:GO game has 30 rounds, and therein lies the major difference between the two games. Riot Games have ensured to cut down the length to make the game more accessible.

Playstyle

With the addition of unique abilities, Valorant’s weapon usage changes drastically. While their weapons draw similarities to CS:GO, they are used differently.

Jett, Raze, and Yoru can get in your face in a blink, which makes shotguns more usable. This isn’t possible at all with CS:GO.

Agents like Jett and Raze can also do aerial combat, where weapons that don’t lose accuracy are usable too.

Abilities like Snake Bite or Shock Darts make post-plant situations trickier. Some players have lineups they can use to eliminate defusers from far away.

This changes the style drastically, as CS:GO needs a more traditional approach.

Recoil Mechanics

Spray patterns are a bit randomized in Valorant after the first few shots. This is mostly true for the Phantom and Vandal weapons, which are the most used weapons in the game.

Both weapons are almost the exact copies of the M4A1-S and AK-47 in CS:GO. The only difference is the spray pattern. CS:GO has its own spray pattern to master, which makes spraying a lot controllable even in long-range battles.

In Valorant, you rarely want to spray unless the enemies are really close. Even then, some players even use counter-strafing at short distances and use a tap-and-move strategy.

If you are coming from CS:GO to play Valorant, this is one of the hardest habits to adjust.

CS:GO

Tactical Equipment

While Valorant has abilities, CS:GO has their tactical equipment. There are only a few – smokes, frags, molotovs, incendiaries, and flashbangs.

These equipment are also seen on some agents in Valorant as abilities. In CS:GO, everyone is the same.

The usage of these equipment requires extreme precision and timing compared to Valorant. This is probably the difference that divided the FPS community.

The only difference would be apply roles to the players.

Gameplay Speed

Without any movement abilities, the pace of CS:GO is a lot slower than Valorant. You have to position yourself ‘normally’ since there are no abilities to watch out for.

The rounds are also longer in CS:GO. However, there are faster competitive game modes introduced when Valorant came out.

It helps cater the game to more players with less time to play. There are 30 rounds or a race to 16-round win.

Playstyle

As mentioned before, CS:GO plays more on extreme precision and timing. You’ll designate roles to your teammates as the entry fragger, support, sniper, and others.

Entry fraggers go in first while the support flashes for him. Other supports uses lineups to smoke a specific spot on the map. Everything needs to align, so execution is key to winning games.

While Valorant does require precision and timing, the abilities make it a lot easier to execute. You don’t need lineups to use Omen’s, Brimstone’s, or Astra’s smokes.

Killjoy, Breach, or Fade can freely use their ultimate on site and execute as a team.

In CS:GO, you have nothing but a perfect pop-flash, perfectly-timed smoke lineups, and a good entry fragger to clear a site.

Similarities

In-Game Economy

Both games have a win-to-earn system. The more rounds you secure, the more money you have for a full-buy. Eco rounds play a crucial role in both games, and the weapon and ability purchasing system on Valorant is similar to the weapon buy screen on CS:GO.

Gameplay

Both games are highly tactical and require razor-sharp planning and execution. The five vs five gameplay mode makes both games extremely competitive and addictive online formats.

Along with this, the spike (bomb in CS:GO) and the two bomb sites on the map make for an adrenaline-inducing online gaming experience. 

Weapons 

Weapons in both games are very similar. The weapon response and the tactile nature of the combat make both games a highly intuitive FPS experience. The Vandal plays like the AK-47, and the Phantom is similar to the M4A1 on CS: GO.

The Operator in Valorant serves as the main AWP, and the Ghost has a similar fire rate and damage to the USP.

These weapons will form the top picks for players who are making the switch from CS: GO to Valorant or looking to try a new game. The recoil patterns of the weapons also are comparable, making it a smooth transition for players between the two games. 

In summary, it seems that Valorant derives from its highly successful predecessor but does some things better.

The raging debate on whether it will overtake CS: GO is of little significance as both games offer players a different gaming experience, and it is a matter of personal preferences.

CS: GO is a leader when it comes to online FPS games and will continue to be successful, but Valorant has a lot to offer and targets a slightly different audience which has made it a popular choice too.

In the end, there is little separating the two games regarding gaming experience. It boils down to personal preference.