Fragging is the term used to describe the successful killing of a soldier in a shooter game, with CS:GO one of the most exciting and best-known titles in this genre. New games inspired by CS: GO have appeared since it was launched and many of them can be played on mobile devices so which are the best?
Apex Legends Mobile
Published by Electronic Arts, Apex Legends is a game that’s based on the idea of heroic players with special powers battling one another.
There’s a big group of heroes to choose from, and rather than being a structured team event like CS:GO, it’s more of a battle royale-style game.
However, the players still join together in squads of two or three, either in Battle Royale or in Arenas mode. The version for PCs and consoles was released in 2019 and the mobile versions followed in 2022. It can be played on Android and iOS devices, with cross-platform play meaning that you can play against others regardless of the device they’re using.
Free to play on any device, Apex Legends generates revenue through micro-transactions that the players can carry out to buy cosmetic items like clothing and weapons. It has a lot in common with CS:GO, with both games requiring a good mixture of skills and strategy if you’re going to succeed in shooting your rivals before they shoot you.
T3 Arena
This hero shooter is fast-paced and highly entertaining. Released by XD Entertainment in 2022 for Android and iOS devices, it’s filled with interesting characters who each have unique abilities you’ll want to exploit.
There are about 30 heroes in the game just now, although new characters are added regularly. The heroes range from rockers to aliens and a lot more and each game takes between three and five minutes to play, with 3v3 and 5v5 action available. One of the few complaints in the Play Store reviews is the cost of buying new skins, but it’s free to start playing.
Modern Strike Online
With the new Counter-Strike 2 title already released and uncertainty over whether it will be made available for Android and iOS users, there’s still a sizeable gap in the market for mobile games of this type. Modern Strike Online is a good option, with 14 modes and a selection of different modes for you to choose from.
You can play it in the single-player version or else take part in a multiplayer battle. Created by Azur Interactive Games Ltd, Modern Strike Online doesn’t hide the fact that it’s been so heavily influenced by CS:GO, Call of Duty, and other classics in the genre. There are more than 20 characters including warriors, medics, navy seals, and snipers.
Standoff 2
Another of the top mobile games with a clear and obvious Counter-Strike influence, Standoff 2 by Axlebolt Ltd has been downloaded from the Google Play Store over 100 million times and has a solid user rating. This review points out the many similarities it has with CS: GO.
With team mode where you look to defuse a bomb and a variety of maps and weapons, the comparisons with CS:GO and others in the Counter-Strike series are easy to make. It’s worth noting that a lot of skill is required for shooting, as there are no auto-fire or aim-assist configurations to help you out.
Special Forces Group 2
One of the clearest examples of a game inspired by Counter-Strike, Special Forces Group 2 by ForgeGames is a 3D first-person shooter. It can be played in single-player mode where the opponents are bots, or in multiplayer mode with online players making up the rest of the shooters.
Nine game modes add variety, with options including Capture the Flag, Zombie Mode, Sniper, and Classic. There are also currently dozens of different weapon skins you can purchase if you want. The gameplay has a lot in common with CS:GO, but aiming and firing have arguably been made simpler for the mobile interface.
Critical Strike CS
This next game – by Vertigo Games – is another example of the influence that CS:GO has had on the mobile gaming market in recent times, as it’s based on the same idea of a team of Terrorists taking on Counter-Terrorists.
It looks great and the controls are easy to use as you roam the maps looking for your opponents. The multiplayer mode gives you a chance to play with friends or look online for people to join you in your team.
The Future of Shooters
Improved visuals and audio are just a couple of the changes introduced in the new CS2 game, and we expect these enhancements to trickle down through the rest of the games in the genre. You can find more information about competitive Counter-Strike tournaments here: https://www.jackshouse.com/
The idea of getting involved in fast-moving battles with a team of soldiers or terrorists is still captivating to millions of us, so we can look forward to seeing many more games of this type in the future.