Paladins® similar games & best alternatives

Paladins®

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One • 2018

Should you play it?

Paladins is the ultimate fantasy team-based shooter experience, with over 50 customizable Champions fighting in 5v5 action across a diverse Realm of modes and maps!

What works
  • Free to play
  • Diverse champions and customization
  • Team-based strategic gameplay
  • Frequent updates and new content
  • Runs well on low-end pcs
Things to keep in mind
  • Toxic player community reported
  • Matchmaking can be unbalanced
  • Bugs and server instability
  • Limited maps and game modes
  • Slow progression for free players

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Gear Up

  • Rogue Company

  • Battlerite

  • CRSED: Cuisine Royale

  • Battlerite Royale

  • SUPERVIVE

  • Dirty Bomb®

  • Super Animal Royale

  • AirMech
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Sky Knights

  • Wizards

  • Diabotical Rogue
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competition

    Slappyball
  • Continuation

    Nucleares
  • Cooperation

    Storm Striker

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Why this game works” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers (hidden on purpose).

Paladins®: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Status, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Fantasy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Domination, Exploration.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players choose characters and abilities dynamically during matches, with freedom to adapt playstyle and strategy."

    Capsule for Battlerite Royale Battlerite Royale

    "Players choose their champion and customize loadouts and in-match items, allowing personal playstyle and strategic decisions."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    3

    "Game requires skillful flying and shooting; players mention mastering controls and aiming, though some find it challenging."

    Capsule for Frog Fighters Frog Fighters

    "Game requires skillful aiming, positioning, and mastery of unique champions and card builds, though some players find it accessible."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    4

    "Includes ranked modes and leaderboards; players enjoy competing against others and climbing ranks."

    Capsule for Slappyball Slappyball

    "Includes ranked modes with matchmaking and leaderboards; players often compare skill and climb ranks."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Players report long play sessions and habitual engagement, with ongoing updates encouraging continued play."

    Capsule for Nucleares Nucleares

    "Many players report long play sessions and habitual engagement, supported by daily rewards and frequent updates."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    4

    "Strong team-based gameplay requiring coordination, with emphasis on objectives and team roles."

    Capsule for Storm Striker Storm Striker

    "Strong team-based gameplay requiring coordination of roles (tank, support, damage, flank) to achieve objectives."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Players can customize builds with various spells, equipment, and character choices, allowing creative experimentation with playstyles."

    Capsule for Hunger Dungeon Hunger Dungeon

    "Customization via card loadouts and in-match item purchases allows players to experiment with builds and playstyles."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

    "While competitive, the game encourages teamwork and balanced play rather than dominance or trash talk."

    Capsule for Depth Depth

    "While competitive, the game emphasizes balanced team play and mutual respect rather than dominance or trash talk."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players use the game as a fun distraction and stress relief, enjoying its colorful fantasy world and engaging gameplay."

    Capsule for Dungeon Defenders II Dungeon Defenders II

    "Players use the game as a fun distraction and stress relief, enjoying its colorful fantasy setting and fast gameplay."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Sid Meier's Civilization® V Sid Meier's Civilization® V

    "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment rather than obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Strong emphasis on trying new builds, synergies, and strategies; random shops and item combinations promote experimentation."

    Capsule for Voids Vigil Voids Vigil

    "The card system and item shop encourage trying new builds and strategies, fostering experimentation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    -2

    "Maps are limited and small; gameplay focuses on known arenas rather than discovery or exploration."

    Capsule for VERSUS SQUAD VERSUS SQUAD

    "Maps are relatively small and familiar; exploration is limited compared to open-world games."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Customization of characters and some cosmetic options exist; players express themselves through gameplay style."

    Capsule for The Break-In The Break-In

    "Players can customize characters with skins and voice packs, expressing personal style cosmetically."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "The game features a mythic, colorful fantasy world with imaginative creatures, magic, and physics-based combat."

    Capsule for Cloudheim Cloudheim

    "Game features a colorful fantasy world with imaginative champions and abilities, distinct from realistic shooters."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Community engagement and playing with friends is common; social interaction and group play encouraged."

    Capsule for Rumble Club Rumble Club

    "Community engagement and playing with friends is encouraged; some toxicity reported but many positive social interactions."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    3

    "Players develop skill mastery and unlock new cards and upgrades, showing learning and personal development."

    Capsule for Dandy Ace Dandy Ace

    "Players learn champion mechanics, card builds, and map strategies, showing personal skill development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Magicka Magicka

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during matches; not designed for passive or background play."

    Capsule for Nuclear Nightmare Nuclear Nightmare

    "Requires focused attention during matches; not designed for passive or background play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -2

    "Social interactions mostly limited to team coordination and competitive chat; limited emotional sharing."

    Capsule for Wargame: Red Dragon Wargame: Red Dragon

    "Social interactions mostly limited to team coordination and casual chat; few close relationships formed in-game."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    2

    "Some players take leadership roles in coordinating team strategy, though shared decision-making is common."

    Capsule for Demeo Demeo

    "Some players take leadership roles in coordinating team strategy, but many matches are casual with shared decision-making."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Players accumulate upgrades, abilities, collectibles, and cosmetics, showing clear progression."

    Capsule for Kena: Bridge of Spirits Kena: Bridge of Spirits

    "Players accumulate champions, cards, skins, and battle pass rewards, showing clear progression over time."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Game offers fun and flow but also moments of tension and competitive pressure."

    Capsule for Awesomenauts Awesomenauts

    "Game offers moments of flow and fun, though competitive pressure and toxicity can cause tension."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Colorful visuals, sound effects, and fast-paced action provide sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Block N Load Block N Load

    "Colorful visuals, sound effects, and fast-paced action provide engaging sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    3

    "Ranked play and cosmetic items provide social recognition and status within the community."

    Capsule for Caliber Caliber

    "Ranked play and cosmetic items provide social recognition and status within the community."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -2

    "Minimal narrative immersion; focus is on gameplay rather than story or lore engagement."

    Capsule for Farlight 84 Farlight 84

    "Minimal narrative immersion; lore exists but gameplay focuses on objective matches without deep story engagement."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Tactical team play, character abilities, and map control require strategic thinking and planning."

    Capsule for Rogue Company Rogue Company

    "Requires tactical thinking in team composition, card builds, item purchases, and map control."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Fast-paced matches with risk and suspense provide excitement and adrenaline."

    Capsule for GOAT OF DUTY GOAT OF DUTY

    "Fast-paced matches with suspenseful moments and risk-reward gameplay create excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Free-to-play model with cosmetic rewards offers good value for players seeking fast, competitive gameplay."

    Capsule for PWND PWND

    "Free-to-play model with reasonable progression and cosmetic rewards offers good value for time invested."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat and destruction are core gameplay elements, with shooting and defeating enemies."

    Capsule for Morsels Morsels

    "Combat and destruction are core gameplay elements, with shooting and abilities causing damage."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must avoid death and manage resources to maintain control and survive."

    Capsule for Natural Selection 2 Natural Selection 2

    "Players must avoid death and manage resources like health and cooldowns to stay alive and succeed."

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Last update: 01/06/2026