Paladins

Starting at $0Buy now

Get on Steam

Get on Xbox Games Store

Get on PS Store

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

Reviews

78%

Audience ScoreBased on 3,328 reviews

gameplay84 positive mentions

stability31 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 grindy 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 is plagued with bugs and technical issues, including frequent crashes and connectivity problems.

gameplay
202 mentions
42 % positive mentions
53 % neutral mentions
5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game has been described as rich and engaging, featuring diverse mechanics and character customization that set it apart from competitors like Overwatch. However, many players have reported significant issues such as bugs, unbalanced characters, and server problems that detract from the overall experience. While the core gameplay is often praised for its fun and fast-paced nature, the presence of pay-to-win elements and a grind-heavy progression system has led to mixed feelings among the community.
- “The gameplay just feels absolutely exhilarating and immersive and refreshing compared to other FPSs I've played.”
- “The characters are unique and the gameplay is very fun!!”
- “Fun varied gameplay with each champion playing radically different than the others.”
- “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
98 mentions
47 % positive mentions
42 % neutral mentions
11 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game receive mixed reviews, with many players appreciating the art style and character designs, describing them as colorful and appealing. However, some users criticize the graphics for being less polished compared to competitors like Overwatch, noting issues with optimization and performance on lower-end systems. Overall, while the visuals are generally considered decent and accessible, they fall short of being top-tier, with some players expressing a desire for improvements.
- “I love the game and the graphics.”
- “The graphics are very good and move very well and are very well optimized.”
- “The art style and design of each character look amazing.”
- “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, low-budget version of Overwatch.”
optimization
33 mentions
39 % positive mentions
39 % neutral mentions
21 % negative mentions
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 face significant challenges, others find the game well-optimized and enjoyable. Overall, the game's optimization appears inconsistent, with ongoing issues that detract from the experience for many players.
- “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., and nothing works.”
- “Another problem is optimization; the game is poorly optimized and it has a lot of graphical and connectivity issues.”
- “Unfortunately, many of the bugs that exist in this game, and the poor network performance for that matter, have been inherited from Smite.”
stability
33 mentions
6 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
94 % negative mentions
The game's stability is widely criticized, with numerous players reporting frequent crashes, glitches, and unresponsive mechanics that significantly hinder gameplay. While some users find humor in the bugs, many describe the experience as frustrating and nearly unplayable, particularly after updates that seem to introduce new issues. Overall, the game is perceived as a "buggy mess," with hopes for improvement in future patches.
- “No glitches.”
- “Relatively bug-free.”
- “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
31 mentions
94 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
6 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is consistently praised, with players highlighting the whimsical characters, funny mechanics, and amusing dialogue that keep the experience entertaining. Many reviews note that even bugs can add to the humor, creating memorable moments, while the game's lighthearted approach to gameplay and character design contributes to its charm. Overall, the humor is a significant draw, making the game enjoyable and engaging for players.
- “It never gets boring; new content is added regularly, the characters are funny, strategic, and whimsical... what's not to like?”
- “Some of the characters' dialogue is pretty funny.”
- “Very funny and vicious enjoyable game!”
- “Even if it's meant to be a joke, this game is failing miserably at humor. It will lose its audience if they continue to ignore the hundreds of reports.”
- “You're not funny!”
grinding
28 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The reviews indicate that grinding is a significant aspect of the game, often viewed as tedious and time-consuming, especially following recent updates that increased the grindiness. While some players appreciate the challenge and replayability it offers, many express frustration over the necessity to grind for cards and essence, which can feel unbalanced and lead to a pay-to-win perception. Overall, the free-to-play model heavily relies on grinding or spending money, which may deter players seeking a more casual experience.
- “Instead of prioritizing certain cards to better your playstyle, the game is centered around leveling up your cards with grinding and money.”
- “I would have gladly paid forty dollars for this game in exchange to have all champions unlocked, to have the over-grinding elements removed, and to be able to play with other players on the same level field.”
- “The free-to-play model leans heavily on grinding or spending money, which can be discouraging for players who want to enjoy the full experience without investing heavily in either.”
monetization
26 mentions
12 % positive mentions
65 % neutral mentions
23 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game has received mixed reviews, with some players criticizing it for being overly reliant on microtransactions, particularly for cosmetics and pay-to-win elements. While there are complaints about the high costs of in-game purchases and the introduction of additional currencies perceived as cash grabs, others appreciate that the game remains playable without mandatory purchases and that recent updates have focused on free content. Overall, the sentiment leans towards a need for a more balanced approach to monetization, akin to models seen in other successful games.
- “They took out some microtransactions, so that's nice, and it's not as pay-to-win as they've made many things available from the start.”
- “All in all, the microtransaction 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.”
- “Good game, once you get past all the advertisements, the store, and all the shady mechanics that lead back to the store.”
- “Another shoddy developer game that had potential but was ruined with money-grabbing nonsense like pay-to-win microtransactions.”
- “Hi-Rez added a third currency, the only purpose of which was clearly a cash grab.”
story
20 mentions
15 % positive mentions
70 % neutral mentions
15 % negative mentions
The game's story aspect is largely criticized for its absence, with players expressing a desire for a narrative to enhance engagement and provide purpose beyond the repetitive gameplay. While some appreciate the game's mechanics and community, many feel that the lack of a compelling story or lore diminishes long-term interest, making it less appealing compared to other titles that offer richer narratives. Overall, there is a strong call for the addition of a story mode to differentiate it from similar games.
- “I wish it had a story of some sort, but for a free game, it's an amazing catch!”
- “I also would hope for some plot and lore for characters.”
- “I'm excited for the story, and I hope they add a story mode (not sure if they will, but it'd be a great way to distinguish the game from Overwatch).”
- “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
12 mentions
25 % positive mentions
50 % neutral mentions
25 % negative mentions
The music in the game receives mixed reviews, with some players praising the epic soundtrack and catchy collaboration songs, while others find it lacking and poorly optimized. While the background music is described as fitting for battle, there are complaints about its overall quality and the absence of a more immersive audio experience. Overall, the music aspect is seen as an area needing improvement, despite some positive elements.
- “Background music... an options menu... actual hint that the game exists... sweet tranquility... =w=...”
- “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)”
- “Lack of music and poorly optimized controls/graphics.”
- “Everything in this game to me is eh from the characters 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
10 mentions
40 % positive mentions
30 % neutral mentions
30 % negative mentions
The reviews highlight the game's unique and diverse character designs, which are praised for their artistic quality and distinctiveness compared to other titles like Overwatch. While some similarities exist between the two games, players appreciate the variety in move sets and the overall fun factor, making the character development a standout aspect of the game.
- “The character designs and diverse move sets are what I think set it apart the most.”
- “I love the artwork and character designs in the game.”
- “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
5 mentions
40 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
60 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is described as entertaining and action-packed, appealing to both casual and competitive players, with frequent updates enhancing the experience. While some may find the carefree vibe less appealing, many appreciate the engaging lore and character accessibility, making it a recommendable choice for fans of similar games.
- “It's atmospheric and action-packed.”
- “Overall, the game is amazing. I love the atmosphere of it and 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
4 mentions
75 % positive mentions
-50 % neutral mentions
75 % negative mentions
Players find the replayability of the game to be exceptional, especially for a free-to-play title, with a diverse roster of champions and a competitive environment that encourages long-term engagement. The need to grind for ranked play further enhances its replay value, making it appealing for those who enjoy extended gameplay across multiple platforms.
- “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, as you have to grind to reach ranked heavily. It is also highly replayable, coming across multiple platforms through a linked Hi-Rez account.”
- “The game lacks significant replayability, as the limited number of champions and maps makes it feel repetitive after a few sessions.”
- “While the gameplay is enjoyable, the lack of variety in modes and content means I don't find myself coming back for more.”
- “After a while, the game becomes predictable, and the excitement of trying new strategies diminishes due to the limited options available.”
emotional
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
Players find the emotional aspect of the game to be deeply impactful, describing it as "heartbreaking" while also appreciating the fast-paced yet comfortable action that enhances their immersion and connection to the experience.
- “Really heartbreaking.”
- “The fast-paced yet comfortable action made me feel I could actually get into this.”