As a seasoned gamer who has spent countless hours huddled around a keyboard and mouse, I must admit that diving into the world of Valorant on my trusty PlayStation 5 was a breath of fresh air. The game’s performance was smooth as silk, with nary a hiccup to be found – quite a departure from some of the more… let’s say, temperamental PC games I’ve played in the past.
For quite some time now, being a dedicated player of Overwatch (and currently maintaining a year-long clean streak), there’s often a mixed reaction within the community when discussing Riot Games’ Valorant. If you ask a streamer or former esports athlete why they don’t broadcast it, the response is usually, “It feels dull.” However, it also serves as a safe haven for numerous ex-Overwatch pros, either due to its rapidly growing competitive scene or the shifting dynamics of the hitscan role throughout the years. From a broader perspective encompassing competitive first-person shooter gaming, the last Champions Tour attracted approximately 1.8 million peak viewers.
After spending over four years on PC, “Valorant” has now been released for both PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The updated version comes packed with additional content compared to its initial launch, such as new Agents with mystifying creatures and gadgets, along with fresh maps and game modes designed to accommodate a wide range of players. Yet, despite the new additions, the fundamental appeal of “Valorant” remains strong, thanks to its engaging gunplay mechanics, competitive atmosphere, and solid foundation – although it might not suit everyone’s taste.
“Despite the fantasy names, guns in Valorant operate realistically, with recoil and spread to manage. Spraying full force up close may be ideal, but tapping the trigger at long range is better for precision…”
As someone who’s dabbled in multiplayer shooters throughout my gaming journey, the gameplay mechanics in Valorant will undoubtedly feel right at home. The main objective-driven mode is called Spike Rush, where one team grabs the Spike and plants it on various objectives across the map. It’s then up to the other team to either eliminate every player or defuse the Spike before it goes off.
As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I can confidently say that this game stands out from the crowd due to its unique blend of skill and strategy. The formula it employs rewards not just quick reflexes and accurate aim, but also map knowledge and coordination – qualities that truly set it apart.
In the game Valorant, although the firearms have imaginative names, they function realistically with features like recoil and bullet spread. Firing continuously at close range might seem advantageous, but taking careful shots from a distance by tapping the trigger is more precise, particularly for headshots (though they won’t always be fatal, based on an opponent’s health and armor). However, understanding and controlling the weapon’s bullet spread and recoil can significantly enhance your gameplay, adding a layer of complexity to the game’s responsive controls and aiming.
Beyond all these complexities, there’s an extra layer to consider – abilities. Each Agent possesses four distinct roles, capable of tasks such as obscuring adversaries’ vision, temporarily blinding both opponents and allies (a lesson I’ve learned the hard way), and even healing. There are also Ultimates at play, which can drastically alter a round but aren’t simply instant victory buttons, although they often feel that way.
Every map offers unique landmarks (such as stunning sights like Ascent) and more focus is given to moving through narrow passages, controlling visibility, and outmaneuvering your opponents.
In any game, whether using Ultimates or special abilities, it’s important to use them strategically rather than randomly during a match. These abilities require accumulating ultimate charge or buying them from the shop before a round. This decision adds an extra layer of strategy, as you must choose between charging your abilities for team support, improving your survivability with armor, relying on your shooting skills with weapons, or investing in your team’s equipment to ensure overall success. In other words, it’s about balancing your resources wisely to make the most impact in the game.
In the game Valorant, particularly during Unrated matches, games can last longer due to their format. Although it might be frustrating when strategies don’t work out as planned, there’s a thrill in landing a decisive kill or helping your teammates with kills. You may even lose, but the gunplay and movement mechanics feel precise. The suspense of treading quietly towards objectives, waiting for an enemy to appear, or peeking around corners or windows is exhilarating, though it’s a slower tempo compared to what most first-person shooter players typically experience.
The layout of the map is generally robust, with a few exceptions that we’ll discuss later. Each area boasts several attractions (including visually stunning aspects, such as Ascent), but the main focus is on navigating narrow passages, controlling visibility, and flanking opponents. Additionally, it’s crucial to think about the placement spots, their access routes, how to make use of cover, who will be responsible for the Spike, and numerous other factors.
“Additionally, the unique aspect of playing Valorant is its steep learning curve, requiring mastery of numerous skills. To add to that challenge, success relies heavily on effective communication and collaboration with your team.”
If you’re looking for faster-paced gameplay, Swift Play might be the perfect choice as it decreases the number of required winning rounds from 13 to just 5 in Spike Rush. Plus, each round yields more credits, promoting riskier strategies and intense plays. For those who prefer a less objective-focused experience, Team Deathmatch is an option, and for pure shooting action, Solo Deathmatch concentrates solely on gunplay without any special abilities involved.
As a seasoned gamer with years of FPS experience under my belt, I must say that I found Valorant to be quite enjoyable on the PS5. The game ran smoothly without any major performance issues, which is always a plus when it comes to competitive multiplayer titles.
In simpler terms, my main issues lie with specific maps, particularly the latest one called Abyss. While it’s understandable for players to prefer certain types of weapons, the imbalance in Abyss seems excessive. Its design may appear slightly unfair depending on which side you’re playing from.
In addition, mastering Valorant requires a significant amount of practice due to its high-skill threshold and the necessity of excelling at various aspects. Moreover, team coordination and awareness are crucial for success in this game, making it quite challenging. This complexity, combined with long Unrated matches, tension, and the constant need for peak performance, can be mentally exhausting. However, shorter modes like Deathmatch and Swift Play offer more immediate rewards.
Regardless of whether playing it will turn you into a dedicated enthusiast ready to spend countless hours mastering your aim or understanding every detail of each map, Valorant offers an appealing choice for console gamers.
As a fresh player diving into the world of Valorant, I’ve found myself limited in terms of Agents, as not all are immediately accessible. To expand my roster, I need to engage in matches and complete daily tasks to earn Kingdom Credits or opt for spending real money on Valorant Points. A single Agent Token is provided to newcomers for instant character unlock, but the rest seem to require a bit of grinding.
Once more, Valorant isn’t suitable for everyone, particularly those seeking rapid-fire action with killstreaks or team battles in Overwatch 2 featuring Ultimates and field-wide abilities. But this doesn’t mean it should be disregarded. If you can find your rhythm, it offers a richly rewarding experience that combines strategic gunplay and an objective-based mode with imaginative resolutions and strategy. It can be slow at times and aggravating in others, yet the complexity and depth of its mechanics make each round engaging.
Regardless if it turns you into an enthusiast ready to invest countless hours mastering your shooting skills or understanding every map intricacy, Valorant represents a commendable choice for console gamers. Let’s cross our fingers that its balance and overall support matches the quality of its PC counterpart.
This game was reviewed on PlayStation 5.
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2024-08-07 16:12