Call of Duty has long been a staple of the first-person shooter genre, offering fast-paced action, cinematic campaigns, and intense multiplayer combat. But even the most die-hard CoD fans need a break sometimes. Whether you’re burned out on the yearly release cycle or just want to try something new, there are plenty of high-quality alternatives out there that scratch the same itch in different and often refreshing ways. From tactical shooters to large-scale warfare and hero-based combat, here are the best Call of Duty alternatives you should be playing right now.
Apex Legends Delivers Battle Royale Brilliance
If you're looking for the fast gunplay and slick mechanics you love from CoD but want a more strategic and vertical take on multiplayer combat, Apex Legends is a strong choice. Set in the Titanfall universe, Apex brings smooth movement, unique character abilities, and squad-focused gameplay into a free-to-play battle royale format. What makes it stand out is the way it blends CoD’s responsive shooting with layered tactical decisions. With new legends, rotating maps, and regular updates, Apex keeps the competitive experience feeling fresh and constantly evolving.
Rainbow Six Siege Focuses on Tactical Depth
While Call of Duty rewards quick reflexes and constant motion, Rainbow Six Siege takes a more methodical approach. It’s all about precision, planning, and using your environment to gain an edge. Every match feels like a high-stakes chess game, with operators bringing specialized gadgets and unique roles to each team. The destructible environments and tight objectives create endless opportunities for creative strategy, making every round feel different. If you’re ready to slow things down and think like a tactician, Siege is the perfect change of pace.
Battlefield Offers Large-Scale Combat and Chaos
For players who love the chaos of warzones and massive team-based battles, the Battlefield series offers a scale that Call of Duty rarely reaches. Whether you jump into the gritty trenches of Battlefield 1 or the near-future chaos of Battlefield 2042, the franchise delivers sprawling maps, vehicle warfare, and true sandbox-style multiplayer. The satisfaction of parachuting into a tank battle or calling in airstrikes on contested objectives brings a kind of controlled chaos that feels completely different from CoD’s tight corridor firefights. It’s the best alternative for fans who want more scale and spectacle.
Titanfall 2 Delivers Speed and Style
Few games feel as fluid and exhilarating as Titanfall 2. From the same developers who made Apex Legends, Titanfall 2 features wall-running, double-jumping, and massive mech combat that combine to create one of the most unique shooters ever made. The campaign is widely regarded as one of the best single-player FPS experiences in recent years, and the multiplayer is equally polished. If you love CoD’s speed but want something more vertical and experimental, Titanfall 2 is a must-play.
XDefiant Channels CoD’s Fast-Paced Energy
Ubisoft’s XDefiant is a recent addition to the FPS space, and it wears its inspirations on its sleeve. With fast-paced gunplay, tight map design, and an emphasis on customizable loadouts, it feels like a spiritual cousin to Call of Duty. But where it stands apart is its use of factions—each with their own unique abilities and playstyles. The game hits a sweet spot between the twitchy reflexes of CoD and the hero shooter depth of games like Overwatch, offering an exciting new arena for competitive play.
BattleBit Remastered Brings Indie-Scale Warfare
Sometimes, it's not about hyper-realistic graphics or massive marketing budgets. BattleBit Remastered proves that with smart game design, even a low-poly shooter can offer one of the most fun and chaotic FPS experiences available today. It combines Battlefield-style massive multiplayer battles with simple visuals and accessible performance, making it easy to run and even easier to enjoy. If you want big battles, teamwork, and hilarious emergent moments, BattleBit is a surprisingly addictive alternative.
Insurgency: Sandstorm Pushes Realism and Tension
For players craving realism and intensity, Insurgency: Sandstorm offers a more grounded alternative to CoD’s action movie style. Gunfights are quick, brutal, and unforgiving. Communication and coordination are key, and every decision can be the difference between life and death. Unlike the quick respawn loops of CoD, Sandstorm emphasizes the weight of each moment, making every encounter feel meaningful. It’s not for the faint of heart, but for those seeking a more immersive combat experience, it’s one of the most rewarding shooters out there.
Escape from Tarkov Redefines the FPS Formula
For the hardcore crowd, Escape from Tarkov takes the shooter genre in a completely different direction. Mixing tactical shooting with survival mechanics and high-stakes looting, Tarkov is a game where every raid is a gamble. One mistake can cost you your best gear, but a successful run can yield massive rewards. It’s intense, deliberate, and requires patience, but for players who want something totally different from the run-and-gun formula, Tarkov offers a challenge like no other.
Final Thoughts
Call of Duty has built a legacy through speed, polish, and consistency—but that doesn’t mean it’s the only game in town. Whether you want the sci-fi agility of Titanfall 2, the strategic depth of Siege, the cinematic scale of Battlefield, or the realism of Insurgency, the FPS genre is filled with worthy contenders. Each of these games brings something unique to the table, giving you new ways to test your skills, compete with others, or dive deep into immersive combat worlds.
Stepping outside the Call of Duty bubble doesn’t mean leaving behind the fun—it just means discovering new ways to enjoy the thrill of the fight. So if you’re ready for something fresh, now is the perfect time to jump into one of these incredible alternatives.
