VALORANT

   Valorant is compared to many games such as CS:GO, Overwatch, but I don't like such comparisons. Of course, there are similarities, but we should also see its unique aspects. We should do this for every game, and instead of saying this game is a knockoff, we should appreciate the work that's done and give it the value it deserves. Even if you don't like a genre, every game is always worth trying. Judging without playing is a bad habit.

    Let's get to Valorant: In our game, which is a 5v5 team battle, there are two sides. Attackers are those who try to plant the spike (a kind of bomb) in a certain area on the map and protect it until it explodes. Defenders are those who try to prevent the spike from being planted in these areas or try to defuse it if it has been planted. To put it simply, the game is a bomb planting-defusing game, but when agents and their unique abilities come into play, it gets quite complicated and turns into a highly strategic, adrenaline-filled game. The differences in maps and the distinct tactics you can employ in each area give players almost limitless possibilities. Let's not forget, there is also a ranking system in the game.

    In a war game, characters and maps are important, sure, but what about the weapons? Valorant doesn't have a countless weapon menu as we've seen in other games. So, are there a small number of weapons? Absolutely not, it has exactly the right number of weapons and features. Whatever type of weapon you like, you will surely find one that suits you in this game. Remember, there are things more important than the weapon and its power, for example, how well you use that weapon, knowing the map, and analyzing the enemy team well. In my opinion, in games, the most dangerous weapon is a teammate who has figured out the enemy team and can understand what to do, in other words, someone who can read the game. If that person is you, then you are the most powerful weapon. 

    Riot Games has done a great job and delivered us a game with great voiceovers, graphics, and effects. There is also Turkish voice acting available and it's quite well done. There's another detail that many people will love in Valorant. Valorant is not P2W (Pay to Win). What does this mean? People who invest money in the game (can buy cosmetic items only) cannot overpower themselves and kill you very easily. If you're dying very easily, that's because you haven't gotten used to the game yet or because of a mistake on your part. You can feel this easily while playing. Even if you say, 'I'm dying in one shot, what is this?' the other team also dies in a single shot, of course if it's a headshot. So, once you get used to it, you can start enjoying the game to the fullest. So how long does it take to get used to? It varies from person to person—after playing for 2-3 hours non-stop, I started warming up and had a lot of fun.

    As a result, the maps are not complicated, the weapons are familiar, and once you learn the agents' abilities and what they can do, I can guarantee that you can have a lot of fun playing Valorant alone or with friends. I really liked this game, which is quick to get used to and very enjoyable to play. I wonder what other games Riot Games will bring us in the future.

My rating for the game: 🎮🎮

MAPS

BIND: There are two spike areas. It takes place in a desert outpost.

HAVEN: There are three spike areas. It takes place in the courtyard of an abandoned monastery.

SPLIT: There are two spike areas. It takes place in the city.

ASCENT: There are two spike areas. It takes place on an island floating in the sky.

AGENTS

    As of early July, there are 11 agents in Valorant. Each of these agents has their own unique abilities. You need to buy these abilities at the start of rounds to use them. The ultimate can be filled by collecting orbs located at certain points on the map or by killing enemy agents.

Jett (Duelist): This South Korean agent is very fast and you need to be fearless when playing her. If you are Jett, take risks.

Q: Launches Jett upwards. Can get on objects unreachable with a jump.

E: Dashes Jett in the movement direction, if idle, she dashes forward.

C: Throws a smoke cloud that activates upon hitting a surface. You can give it a slight curve by holding the ability key.

X: Activates thrown knives that charge by killing enemies. 

Raze (Duelist): Brazilian Raze is an agent who constantly throws explosives and even gets more bombs out of her grenades. If you are Raze, blow up everywhere.

Q: Throws a grenade that sticks to the ground; if she detonates it while jumping, she can launch very high. She doesn't take damage from the explosive but can take fall damage.

E: Throws a fragmentation grenade. This grenade creates bomblets that damage everyone in its radius.

C: Drops a small robot that advances in a straight line and bounces off walls. If it catches an enemy agent, it explodes dealing heavy damage.

X: Single-shot rocket launcher.

Breach (Initiator): Our Swedish agent's abilities are incredibly important for the team. Very effective in capturing and defending bomb sites.

Q: Throws a charge that goes through walls and blinds everyone looking at it when it bursts.

E: Creates a seismic blast in a straight line; you need to hold to increase its range.

C: Throws a thermonuclear charge dealing heavy damage.

X: This ability, with a wider area than E, causes an earthquake. Everyone caught is thrown and stunned.

Omen (Controller): Omen is a phantom of a moment who hunts in the shadows.

Q: Throws a shadow orb that passes through walls and restricts the vision of anyone it touches.

E: Throws a shadow sphere at a chosen spot and creates mist.

C: Teleports himself to a selected area.

X: Teleports himself to a selected area on the map.

Brimstone (Controller): Our American agent is known for being able to use his functional abilities from a distance. This lets him shape the battlefield without engaging directly.

Q: Throws a molotov that can bounce off walls and explodes upon landing. Deals damage over time.

E: Drops smoke clouds in selected areas through the tactical map.

C: Places a power marker on the ground. Thanks to this marker, allied agents shoot faster.

X: Performs a laser strike from the sky on the selected location via the tactical map. The laser deals damage over time.

Phoenix (Duelist): Our agent from the UK is very fiery—no joke, he is literally burning and of course, burns people in his way too. Famous for filling the battlefield with fire.

Q: Throws a curved flash orb that blinds everyone looking at it when it bursts.

E: Throws a fireball that burns the area where it lands. This fire damages the enemy and heals himself.

C: Creates a firewall. Those who pass through the wall take damage and it blocks vision. For Phoenix, it also provides a healing effect.

X: Marks where it is activated. If Phoenix dies or the duration ends while the ability is active, he revives at the marked spot with full health.

Sage (Sentinel): Our Chinese agent brings peace and security to the battlefield.

Q: Throws an orb that explodes upon hitting the ground, slowing the movement of players in its area.

E: Uses a healing orb to heal herself or an ally.

C: Creates a sturdy wall made of ice.

X: Revives a dead ally with full health using her resurrection ability.

Sova (Initiator): Our Russian agent hunts down enemies by tracing their tracks. Even if you run, you can never hide from him.

Q: Shoots an explosive shock dart.

E: Shoots a recon bolt that activates upon hitting a surface, revealing nearby enemies.

C: Sends a drone for reconnaissance; can shoot a dart with the drone to reveal the enemy's location.

X: Shoots three wall-piercing energy blast arrows. Enemies hit are damaged and revealed.

Viper (Controller): Our American chemist agent uses poison to control the battlefield. Loads of poison, a lot of poison.

Q: Throws a gas emitter to create a poisonous smoke cloud. She can pick it up and place it elsewhere. As long as it's on the ground, she can open and close it as much as she wants.

E: Throws multiple gas emitters to create a wall of gas. Can be reused as long as fuel is available but cannot be picked up from the ground again.

C: Throws a chemical on the ground that can even harm herself.

X: A chemical cloud radiates outward in all directions around Viper. Players inside have their vision restricted and their max health reduced.

Cypher (Sentinel): Our Moroccan information expert agent is equipped and skilled enough to watch every enemy movement.

Q: Creates a cyber cage area that blocks enemy vision and slows them down. 

E: Places a camera at a targeted location to watch the surroundings. While controlling the camera, can shoot a dart to reveal the enemy's location.

C: Sets up a tripwire between two walls; caught enemies are revealed. If not destroyed soon after being caught, it dazes the enemy. The ability can be picked up and placed elsewhere.

X: Throws his hat at a dead enemy, revealing the locations of all surviving enemies.

Reyna (Duelist): Our Mexican agent seems to really enjoy killing. She wants more the more she kills and never stops.

Q: Enemies killed by Reyna drop soul orbs for 3 seconds. Consuming them rapidly regenerates her health. If her ultimate is active, the ability is used automatically without consuming the orb.

E: Consuming a soul orb allows her to become intangible for a short time. If the ultimate is active, she also becomes invisible.

C: Throws a destructible eye-like soul orb, blinding all enemies looking at it.

X: Enters her heightened state. Fire rate, weapon swap, and reloading speeds are greatly increased. Killing enemies refreshes the duration. It enhances the effects of both (Q-E) abilities.

From left to right: Viper-Cypher-Omen-Sage-Sova-Phoenix-Jett-Brimstone-Raze-Reyna-Breach

WEAPONS

ABOUT VALORANT

Minimum System Requirements

Recommended System Requirements

TRAILER