Paladins

About

Paladins is a free-to-play fantasy shooter game with stunning graphics and masterful gameplay. Featuring a diverse cast of Champions, each with unique abilities, and a deckbuilding system that allows for customization, players can engage in thrilling team-based combat. However, be prepared for some grinding and occasional bugs. Win 5 matches as Barik on Steam to unlock the TF2 Barik skin for free.

Genres & Tags

Play Modes

84%

Audience ScoreBased on 6,656 reviews

gameplay168 positive mentions

stability62 negative mentions

Fun gameplay with a diverse cast of characters and unique abilities.
Free to play with no pay-to-win mechanics; players can earn everything through gameplay.
Regular updates and community engagement from developers.

Recent updates have introduced a grind-heavy essence system that makes it difficult for new players to unlock cards and champions.
Matchmaking can be unbalanced, often pairing inexperienced players with highly skilled opponents.
The game suffers from bugs and technical issues, including frequent crashes and connectivity problems.

gameplay
404 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
42%
53%
5%
The gameplay of Paladins is characterized by its rich mechanics and diverse character abilities, offering a fast-paced and engaging experience reminiscent of other hero shooters like Overwatch. However, players frequently report issues with balance, bugs, and server stability, which detract from the overall enjoyment. While the game features a unique card system for character customization, many feel that the grind for content and the presence of pay-to-win elements can overshadow the fun aspects of gameplay.
- “An incredibly fun hero shooter with fun designs and a fast-paced gameplay loop that ensures engaging counter play.”
- “The gameplay just feels absolutely exhilarating and immersive and refreshing compared to other FPSs I've played.”
- “U have very fun gameplay here and the possibility to play the same character different ways with different card builds, made this so much better than any other hero shooter out there.”
- “Buggy, visually horrid, mechanically nauseating and unoptimized from launch. Crashes every time I play it. Tried every fix from Steam's community, Reddit, Discord, etc., nothing works.”
- “Even with thousands of hours of playtime, you cannot unlock core mechanics to compete on even base with everyone.”
- “While Paladins has its moments, the inconsistencies and grind-heavy mechanics overshadow what could have been a more enjoyable game.”
graphics
196 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
47%
42%
11%
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the colorful art style and smooth performance, especially on lower-end hardware. However, some criticize the graphics as being subpar compared to competitors like Overwatch, describing them as basic or poorly optimized. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered decent and accessible, they fall short of being top-tier, with calls for improvements to enhance the game's aesthetic appeal.
- “The graphics are very good and move very well and are very well optimized.”
- “The art style and design of each character look amazing.”
- “The visuals are stunning and the requirements are so low for a 2016-2017 game that you can't be lagging.”
- “Another problem is optimization; the game is poorly optimized and it has a lot of graphical and connectivity issues.”
- “Graphics aren't the best, definitely not what it looks like in their preview videos.”
- “This game is the unpolished, bad graphics, low budget version of Overwatch.”
optimization
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
39%
39%
21%
The optimization of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players experiencing severe performance issues, crashes, and graphical glitches, particularly at launch. Conversely, others report smooth gameplay and good performance on various hardware, indicating that while some users enjoy a well-optimized experience, many still face significant technical challenges. Overall, the game's optimization appears inconsistent, with ongoing bugs and network issues affecting player satisfaction.
- “Players can build decks to optimize champion strengths, or just the opposite and hinder their performance.”
- “The graphics are very good and move very well and are very well optimized.”
- “It's well optimized and should work on most modern PCs.”
- “Buggy, visually horrid, mechanically nauseating, and unoptimized from launch. Crashes every time I play it. Tried every fix from Steam's community, Reddit, Discord, etc., nothing works.”
- “Another problem is optimization; the game is poorly optimized and it has a lot of graphical and connectivity issues.”
- “So I do not recommend this game due to its poor performance.”
stability
66 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
5%
2%
94%
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous reports of bugs, crashes, and performance issues that significantly hinder gameplay. While some players find humor in the glitches, many describe the experience as frustrating and nearly unplayable, especially after updates that seem to introduce new problems. Despite occasional improvements, the overall consensus is that the game remains a "buggy mess," requiring substantial fixes to enhance stability.
- “No glitches.”
- “Relatively bug-free.”
- “No glitches.”
- “Buggy, visually horrid, mechanically nauseating and unoptimized from launch. Crashes every time I play it; tried every fix from Steam's community, Reddit, Discord, etc., nothing works.”
- “This game is so buggy and unbalanced that it is almost unplayable.”
- “The game is still incredibly buggy - way more so than it was before ob44, and I am still not able to play any game modes that require 2 teams, which is why my review will remain negative for the time being.”
humor
62 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
94%
6%
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the whimsical characters, funny dialogue, and amusing mechanics, such as a giant turtle flying into the sky. Many find the game's bugs to be entertaining rather than frustrating, and the overall lighthearted tone contributes to its appeal as a fun, strategic time-killer. Regular updates and creative character designs keep the humor fresh and engaging, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “It never gets boring, new content is added regularly, the characters are funny, strategic, and whimsical... what's not to like?”
- “Although the idea of mounts in a game like this is kind of funny, they work well as a mechanic to get back into the action much quicker.”
- “Very funny and vicious enjoyable game!”
- “Even not funny as a joke... this game will kill itself if they keep not caring about hundreds of reports.”
- “You're not funny!”
grinding
56 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
The grinding aspect of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it excessively time-consuming and frustrating, especially after recent updates that increased the grind. While some appreciate the challenge and replayability that grinding offers, others feel it detracts from the overall enjoyment, particularly for new players who may struggle to progress without spending money. The free-to-play model heavily emphasizes grinding or purchasing in-game currency, leading to concerns about balance and accessibility.
- “Instead of prioritizing certain cards to better your playstyle, the game is centered around leveling up your cards with grinding and money.”
- “Last patch (ob44) that was released yesterday (23/02/2017) made the game incredibly grindy, time-wasting, and completely unbalanced.”
- “They took a fantastic FPS and turned it into a grindy, pay-to-win mess with more bugs than I can count, despite the fact that from what I've seen and heard, most feedback from a public test server prior to the release on the main servers was negative.”
monetization
52 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
6%
71%
23%
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it for being overly reliant on microtransactions, particularly for cosmetics, while others appreciate that the game is playable without spending money. Although there are concerns about pay-to-win mechanics and the introduction of a third currency perceived as a cash grab, many players acknowledge that the game offers a relatively customer-friendly approach compared to other titles. Overall, while microtransactions exist, they are primarily cosmetic, and the game continues to provide free updates and content.
- “All in all, the microtransactions system in this game is one of the most customer-friendly ones I've ever seen.”
- “Yes, there are microtransactions, but the game is playable without having to purchase anything from the store.”
- “No pay-to-win microtransactions, but instead just pay for skins.”
- “Good game, once you get past all the advertisements, the store, and all the shady mechanics that lead back to the store.”
- “Well, you're the ones who are paying $40+ for a game that has microtransactions.”
- “Hi-rez added a third currency, the only purpose of which was clearly a cash grab.”
story
40 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
10%
80%
10%
The game's story is largely criticized for its absence, leaving players feeling unmotivated once the initial challenge of combat fades. Many users express a desire for a narrative or lore to enhance engagement, comparing it unfavorably to other games like Warframe, which successfully integrates story elements to maintain player interest. While some hope for future story modes to differentiate the game from competitors, the current lack of a compelling narrative is seen as a significant drawback.
- “I also would hope for some plot and lore for characters.”
- “Warframe is a grind to win, and I enjoyed that game to death because it has a friendly community, a good story that livens the spirits of players and keeps the commitment to the game despite its massive grind.”
- “Once you get the hang of the combat and it stops offering you a challenge, it will become utterly boring since there is no story to speak of to keep you around.”
- “I wish it had a story of some sort, but for a free game, it's an amazing catch!”
- “- Lacks purpose and story; some might argue here, but it does however lack it.”
music
24 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
25%
63%
13%
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the epic soundtrack and catchy collaboration songs, while others criticize the lack of variety and poor integration with gameplay. Many feel that the music could be improved to enhance the overall experience, as it currently blends in rather than stands out. Overall, while there are moments of recognition and enjoyment, the consensus suggests that the music needs further development to match the game's potential.
- “Hi, I think this game is awesome, it has good graphics, an epic soundtrack according to the game.”
- “Music - 8/10 (recognizable songs, also saw the collaboration songs that they are doing and they're pretty catchy. Most noticeably the Amalee collab.)”
- “The music is fitting for battle, and you unlock as you go cosmetics, emojis, etc.”
- “Lack of music and poorly optimized controls/graphics.”
- “Every thing in this game to me is eh from the guys you play as to the soundtrack just meh. I wish I could give something other than yes and no since I don't recommend it nor do I say you should not get it.”
- “I only wish we could melee and it had better music.”
character development
20 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
40%
45%
15%
The character development in the game is highlighted by its unique and diverse character designs, which many players find appealing and distinct from other titles like Overwatch. While there are noted similarities in character design between the two games, the variety in move sets and overall artistic style contribute to a fun and engaging experience. Players particularly appreciate the creativity and individuality of the characters, making it a standout feature of the game.
- “I love the artwork and character designs in the game.”
- “Over everything else, I enjoy the character design the most.”
- “The character design is unlike any other game I have ever played.”
- “The character designs are a mash-up from different games and the map textures look average.”
- “Yes, there are some similarities to Overwatch in terms of character design, but I think that is coincidental.”
- “Played this before I played Overwatch, have now played both and while I'm not going to comment on who copied who, the games do share similar character design, so Overwatch players won't feel lost.”
atmosphere
10 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
20%
50%
30%
The game's atmosphere is described as vibrant and engaging, appealing to both casual and competitive players through its customization options, diverse maps, and frequent updates. While many appreciate the action-packed and carefree vibe, some may find it less appealing. Overall, the atmosphere, combined with the lore, contributes significantly to the game's enjoyment and accessibility.
- “It's atmospheric and action packed.”
- “Overall the game is amazing, I love the atmosphere of it and I would love the lore too. In any case, I would recommend this game to anyone who can't and can afford Overwatch because you'll be surprised how easy the characters are to play with.”
- “The carefree atmosphere may not personally appeal to you.”
- “Overall, the game is amazing, I love the atmosphere of it and I would love the lore too, but that's just me.”
- “This atmosphere is often enhanced through the frequent updates the game receives.”
replayability
8 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
50%
50%
The game offers exceptional replayability, particularly for a free-to-play title, with a competitive environment and a growing roster of champions that encourages long-term engagement. Players can enjoy extensive grinding and gameplay across multiple platforms, making it a solid choice for those seeking a rich and varied experience.
- “What I've noticed with this game is that the replayability value is absolutely amazing, considering most free-to-play games get quite boring after a couple of hours.”
- “This game is very fun and competitive and has a quite large replayability value.”
- “This is a good game if you want to work on grinding, or if you enjoy a long gameplay experience overall. It is also highly replayable, coming across multiple platforms through a linked Hi-Rez account.”
emotional
4 mentions Positive Neutral Negative
100%
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply impactful, describing it as "really heartbreaking." The combination of fast-paced yet comfortable action enhances their immersion, allowing them to connect with the experience on a personal level.
- “Really heartbreaking.”
- “The fast-paced yet comfortable action made me feel I could actually get into this.”