Valorant: 5 Reasons We're Excited (& 5 We're Worried)

by Lloyd Doolan on August 28, 2025

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Valorant has taken Twitch by storm as of late, setting new records for both streamers and Riot Games . Players who watch streams have a chance of entering the closed beta, giving testers a hefty slice of the full game.

Closed beta footage has shown many reasons to get excited about Riot's next major title. It seems fans of Counter-Strike , Overwatch , or even 2008's Shadowrun have a new title to sink their teeth into. At the same time, the closed beta has shown a few flaws ranging from key drops to game issues. Here are 5 reasons we are excited for Valorant and 5 why we're worried.

10 Excited: Tense Matches

<img src="https://static1.thegamerimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Valorant-Revolver.jpg"; alt="" /> Via: AllGamesDelta (Twitter)

Skill-focused gameplay and clutch moments are the core pillars of Valorant . From weapon balance to each Agent's abilities, Riot has put much enough tools in the player's hands to outsmart the opposition.

Each game will become intense as a result. One or two well-placed bullets to your head is all it takes to end your life, but one well-placed ability can shift the tide of a match. Clutch moments and the opportunities to outsmart enemies in Valorant seems to be unparalleled in most games today.

9 Worried: Lack Of Maps

<img src="https://static1.thegamerimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Valorant-Assault-Rifle.jpg"; alt="" /> Via: Polygon

Riot Games has confirmed that there will be 4 maps at launch for Valorant . Compared to Counter-Strike or even Overwatch , the lack of maps is a serious concern.

Each map shown thus far has unique angles of approach and great map flow that separates itself from tri-lane map design that is commonplace in most FPS titles today . While having solid maps is key to a great competitive scene, starting with 4 might bore even the most devoted of players unless Riot can release more post-launch promptly.

8 Excited: Frequent Updates

<img src="https://static1.thegamerimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/jettvalorant1-gs.jpg"; alt="" /> via Riot Games

Post-launch content is unlikely to be an issue for Valorant . With the juggernaut that is League of Legends , Riot has plenty of experience updating and refining a game well past its release.

Released back in 2009, League of Legends has received an overwhelming amount of support since it released. Valorant will likely receive a similar amount of care with new maps, Agents, and possibly new weapons. As long as the development team stays on top of community requests and balance issues, Valorant might become the next major FPS title on the market for years to come.

7 Worried: Visuals

Designing clear visuals for a competitive first-person shooter is no small feat, but the lack of a distinct style for Valorant might drive more casual or skeptical players away.

Many have likened it to Overwatch's hand-drawn style with a colorful cast of characters. There is a certain likeness, but weapons and <a href="https://www.fpthoughts.com/">Https://Www.fpthoughts.com</a>; locations don't ooze a unique style that sets it apart in the FPS market. Textures look flat and particle effects are simple, likely for visual clarity. It is a difficult balance between style and visual clarity that Riot needs to nail, but it currently lacks a distinct style like the flashiness of Overwatch or punchy visuals of Counter-Strike.

6 Excited: Learning Curve

Any game that relies on landing headshots will take a considerable amount of time to master. Factor in unique character skills and this learning curve increases exponentially.

Games like Rainbow Six: Siege have shown the industry that gun skill can matter as much as strategic planning. Valorant seems to focus on both and, from closed beta footage so far, has nailed the impact of both. Learning every Agent and the spray patterns of every gun will be a long journey that Counter-Strike players can relate to. The reward is massive, as you get immediate feedback at how much better you're becoming by placing more headshots or landing skills in more intense scenarios.

5 Worried: Vision Denial

Looking at the Agent roster reveals a surprising amount of vision denial skills. From blinding players to erecting flaming walls, most characters have some form of gaining or blocking locational information.

This was likely done to raise the skill floor for Valorant to draw in more players and make the gap between casual and hardcore players less severe. With that said, a coordinated team that uses vision denial skills frequently could negatively impact the gun skill this game emphasizes so greatly. Agent balance will be critical for this to not become an issue.

4 Excited: 128 Tick Rate Servers

<img src="https://static1.thegamerimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Riot-Valorant-Gameplay-Screenshot-Resized.jpg"; alt="" /> via Riot Games

Any competitive game requires as little lag and uncertainty as possible to keep engagement outcomes in the players' hands and not the game's netcode. Thankfully, Riot understands this.

Valorant will use 128 Hertz tick rate servers for multiplayer, which is significantly higher than Modern Warfare's 12 tick rate servers or Overwatch's 62.5. If you ever played a shooter and felt your bullets were lagging, low tick rate servers are likely to blame. With 128 tick rate servers, bullet impacts will be near-instant and bullet ghosting shouldn't exist.

3 Worried: Few Game Types

Objective-based modes are a smash hit in any competitive FPS title, but most revolve around planting or defusing a bomb. It's a common trend for good reason, but Valorant has the potential to stand above the rest.

The likes of gun game, capture the flag, or simple deathmatch could help enhance the replayability of Valorant significantly. More casual modes with multiple lives should exist as a way for casuals to have fun and more hardcore players to warm up their skills before entering an intense game. Lacking other game modes post-launch could result in player fatigue, further exacerbated with the game's small map pool.

2 Excited: Return To PC Competative <a href="https://www.fpthoughts.com/">FPS game strategy</a>

Many FPS fans adore Counter-Strike's massive skill gap and mechanics, but it has undeniably been the de facto competitive PC FPS juggernaut shortly after its launch.

While many will compare this game to Overwatch , it is more reminiscent of what the 2008 multiplayer-only Shadowrun was trying to accomplish , only with more focus on gun skill this time. That style of game is sorely lacking in the gaming landscape currently, instead filled with ability-focused FPS titles instead of FPS-focused titles with abilities. A massive learning curve, large audience, and post-launch support could turn Valorant into a household name for Riot Games.

1 Worried: Balance

<img src="https://static1.thegamerimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Valorant-Viper-1.jpg"; alt="" /> Via: Mobalytics

https://mobalytics.gg/blog/viper-valorant-character-guide/

The bane of any competitive FPS title is balance. If maps feel biased towards one side or if weapons feel too strong, it can reveal a meta that is unpleasant to partake in while the developers spend months changing it.

When you throw abilities and unique characters into the mix, Valorant could become a very unbalanced game if not handled properly. Power-creep could be a serious issue if Riot plans to release new Agents over time, a concern not unfounded by veteran League of Legends players. Iteration will be key for Valorant's success and long-term relevance.

NEXT: 10 Things That Make No Sense About League Of Legends

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