When Riot Games first announced Valorant, the gaming community went wild with excitement. The prospect of a new tactical shooter from the League of Legends developers was enough to pique the interest of gamers worldwide. However, as more details about the game emerged, many began to draw comparisons between Valorant and Blizzard’s popular hero shooter, Overwatch.
Let’s just say that the similarities were hard to ignore. From the colorful cast of characters to each agent’s unique abilities, Valorant seemed to be borrowing heavily from Overwatch‘s playbook. This led to a barrage of criticism, with many accusing Riot of creating nothing more than an Overwatch knockoff.
Now, with Valorant gearing up for its highly anticipated console debut, the comparisons between the two games have once again become a hot topic of discussion among their respective fanbases.
The Overwatch Parallels: A Closer Look
As someone who has sunk countless hours into both Overwatch (plus its so-called “sequel”) and Valorant, it’s impossible to deny some of the striking likeliness between the two games.
Let’s take a look at some of the most glaring examples:
- Sova and Hanzo: Both heroes are skilled archers with the ability to reveal enemy locations. Sova’s Recon Bolt is nearly identical to Hanzo’s Sonic Arrow, while his Ultimate, Hunter’s Fury, shares Hanzo’s Dragonstrike’s wall-penetrating and high-damage nature.
- Sage and Mei: These two agents are the epitome of “defense is the best offense.” Sage’s Barrier Orb is reminiscent of Mei’s Ice Wall, while her Slow Orb’s effect is similar to Mei’s primary fire. Additionally, Sage’s Ultimate, Resurrection, is similar to Mercy’s Resurrect in Overwatch, as both abilities bring fallen allies back to life.
- Omen and Reaper: The visual similarities between Omen and Reaper are uncanny. Both agents are clad in dark, hooded outfits, with masks that obscure their faces. Even sharing the same naming pattern, Omen’s Shrouded Step and Reaper’s Shadow Step both allow them to quickly teleport to a short distance by aiming where they want to go, making them highly mobile and unpredictable on the battlefield.
- Raze and Junkrat: The explosive gurus of their respective games, they are both the bane of the enemy team’s existence. Raze’s Blast Pack and Paint Shells are reminiscent of Junkrat’s Concussion Mine and Frag Launcher, while her Ultimate, Showstopper, is a rocket launcher that deals massive damage, similar to Junkrat’s RIP-Tire.
We could go on, but you get the point: Valorant and Overwatch share many similarities when it comes to character design and agent/hero abilities.
Valorant‘s Defense: It’s All About the Gameplay
Despite the numerous comparisons to Overwatch, Valorant‘s developers have maintained that their game is a different beast entirely. In an interview with Inven Global from back when the game was first announced, Valorant‘s then-game director, Joe Ziegler, had this to say:
In Valorant, we wanted to allow players to create drastic turnarounds through individual skills even if the teamwork didn’t work out. So that they can feel the biggest thrill and catharsis.
This emphasis on individual skill and the ability to carry games through sheer mechanical prowess is what sets Valorant apart from hero shooters like Overwatch, according to Ziegler. While Overwatch relies heavily on teamwork and coordination, Valorant allows for more “solo-carry” potential.
The Verdict: Is Valorant Just an Overwatch Clone?
After spending a significant amount of time with both games, it’s clear that, while Valorant may share some superficial similarities with Overwatch, the two games are fundamentally different. Inspired? Absolutely. Knock-off? Not at all!
Yes, some of Valorant‘s agents may bear a resemblance to certain Overwatch heroes, but the way they play out within the context of the game is entirely different. Valorant‘s focus on precise gunplay, economy management, and round-based gameplay sets it apart from Overwatch‘s more chaotic, objective-based matches.
That being said, it’s hard, very hard, to ignore the fact that Valorant does draw inspiration from Overwatch‘s aesthetic and character design. While this may be a turnoff for some players, it’s important to remember that no game exists in a vacuum. Every title is influenced by the games that came before it, and Valorant is no exception.
Valorant is available on PC via Riot’s official website and the Epic Games Store, with a limited beta for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S set to begin on June 14, 2024.
Overwatch 2 is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
