Paladins 0.59

Team-based shooters are making a comeback in the modern gaming world. While Team Fortress 2 kept the flag flying on its own for years, it was really Overwatch that brought players back to the genre. Unfortunately, it's become a competitive space - one in which games that are less than perfect just don't survive. For every Overwatch, it feels like there are ten Battleborns that just don't make the grade. Figuring out what's going to work in these shooters takes a great deal of work and even then nothing's for sure. One good example of how fickle the genre can be is Paladins.

Paladins is a team-based arena shooter, just like Team Fortress 2 or Overwatch. Players take on the role of one of a number of cartoonish characters, each of whom has his or her own special weapons and abilities. Players generally work with their team in order to accomplish a specific objective on every specific match, some of which are more engaging than others. If any of this feels familiar, it should - this is essentially the same formula that's been defining this kind of shooter for decades. Where Paladins succeeds and fails largely depends on when it sticks to the formula.

So, what's great about Paladins? First and foremost, it's the quality one gets for his or her money. This is a free game, but it definitely doesn't feel like it. There's a much higher level of polish than one would expect and the characters are a great deal of fun. There's also a fair bit of customization in the game, something that's not quite as common elsewhere in the genre. This makes each match a little less repetitive and allows players a little more latitude to try out their favorite characters. There are also a few neat twists on the genre like the ability to ban certain characters, which definitely keeps the game fresh.

The failings of the game are all too common, as well. There's not a really great reason to play this game if you can afford to play Overwatch. It's the same thing that basically killed Battleborn - it's still a decent game, but it lacks that ineffable something that makes a game special. This is apparent when you're in a match with characters that seem a little too close to their more popular counterparts - you might spend time wondering why you aren't playing a better game.

Paladins is good, but that might not be enough for some players. It's the kind of game that would really stand out if its space wasn't already so thoroughly occupied by a giant. Until Paladins manages to convince its players that it is more than a free Overwatch wanna-be, it's going to be relegated to a secondary tier of play. It's definitely worth your time, but not if you already own Overwatch. You'll have fun playing, but you will always know that you are playing something that's just not quite as special as it ought to be.