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

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

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

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 game walkthrough 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

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 fpsthoughts Fps articles 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 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.