In many ways, Overwatch’s release in 2016 birthed an entire genre: the hero shooter. Games like Overwatch all have extremely unique characters with their own special abilities, and though Overwatch wasn’t technically the first (that award likely goes to Team Fortress 2), the massive success of Blizzard’s shooter codified what many players were looking for from the genre. Thanks to its bold character designs, game-changing ultimate abilities, and a never-ending stream of premium cosmetics, Overwatch approach changed the shooter landscape in a way not seen since Halo, Call of Duty, or Fortnite before it.

In 2025, Overwatch (now the free-to-play Overwatch 2) isn’t the undisputed hero shooter king. While Blizzard’s game is still going strong with the addition of new heroes, gameplay systems, and even major new game modes like Stadium, there are plenty of other worthy games like it that can scratch a similar itch. Some emulate Overwatch’s gameplay more directly, and others take the hero shooter ideas it popularized and transplant them into different subgenres, ranging from games like Fortnite to tactical shooters and even some inspired by MOBAs.

Most of the games on this list can also be played without spending a dime, making them some of the best free games available. Some aren’t even shooters at all, but still share plenty of DNA with Blizzard’s genre-blending juggernaut. Whether you love first-person or third-person, over-the-top abilities, or more tactical gameplay, there’s a hero shooter for every taste out there. As Overwatch’s Tracer once said, the world needs heroes, and in 2025, there’s no shortage of hero shooter games like Overwatch to meet that demand.