Top Games Like Call of Duty & How You Can Build One

Let’s be real: if you’re not yelling into your mic while gliding through smoke grenades or getting headshots during a jump, are you even gaming? Call of Duty has ruled the FPS game for decades, but Gen Z gamers are hungry for variety, complexity, and fresh vibes. 

If you’re in the market for fast-paced shooting games like Call of Duty or you’re going to build the next hit in the genre, this blog’s got you.

Whether you’re a dev looking to break into the action or a gamer craving a fresh COD alternative, here’s your ultimate guide.

Why Players Are Exploring Games Like Call of Duty

• Burnout from repetitive mechanics
• Increased interest in realism or strategy-based FPS
• Desire for free or cross-platform games
• Better storylines or character customization in COD alternatives

From multiplayer mayhem online to single-player campaign shooters, the COD faithful are diversifying—and sick titles await discovery.

Quick Comparison: 20 Top Games Like Call of Duty

Below is a quick comparison of 20 top games like Call of Duty, including their release date, platform, and highlight features:

Deep Dive Into the Best Shooting Games Like Call of Duty

We have described briefly about some of the best shooting games like Call of Duty. Whether you’re craving high-stakes multiplayer action, intense battle mechanics, or immersive warzone environments, these games deliver the thrill that every COD fan seeks—with their own signature spin.

1. Battlefield V

Epic chaos and historical warfare enthusiasts will enjoy dynamic battles, destructible terrain, and authentic squad mechanics in Battlefield V. Ideal for fans of teamwork and a visually engaging experience. The game features vehicle combat too, which adds a new tactical level to gameplay.

2. Apex Legends

A character-based shooter by Respawn, it mixes COD’s speed with special character powers. With a ping mechanism, swift mobility, and varied character abilities, it’s an evolved battle royale with fine-tuned mechanics. Coordination and timing with your team are required to win.

3. Rainbow Six Siege

This is not your shoot-and-run shooter. Siege is a tactical team play, breaching walls, trap-setting, high-stakes intel warfare kind of game. If you enjoy aggressive 5v5 fights and strategic combat, then this game is a great COD alternative.

4. Escape from Tarkov

Hardcore realism at its finest. No HUDs, permadeath during raids, and tactical gameplay—ideal for those who seek a challenge more than COD. The loot-extract system makes every choice important, and learning curve is high but rewarding.

5. Warface

Glorious fast-paced shooting with multiple modes. Warface presents class-based gameplay with distinctive roles, such as engineer, sniper, medic, and rifleman. The graphics and mechanics are good for a free-to-play game.

6. PUBG: Battlegrounds

If you prefer more strategic, slower gameplay with realistic movement and bullet drop, PUBG has got you covered. Each match is tense, and survival relies heavily on teamwork. The game popularized the battle royale genre in mass-market gaming.

7. CrossfireX

A hidden gem for Xbox gamers, this game provides fast matches and fast-paced combat with great graphics. It has both a contemporary multiplayer mode and single-player campaign developed by Remedy Entertainment.

8. Halo Infinite

A blend of traditional Halo arena shooter with an open-world campaign. It’s skill-based, smooth, and retro. Vehicle-based combat and weapon balance are highlights, along with well-tuned multiplayer maps.

9. Destiny 2

For fans of progression, shooting aliens with friends, and loot. It combines FPS combat and MMO mechanics. Raids, PvP arenas, and seasonal content update it all year round.

10. Titanfall 2

Wall-running, jetpacks, and massive mechs turn Titanfall 2 into a different kind of choice with an unexpectedly emotional narrative. Its multiplayer is streamlined, quick, and underrated.

11. Insurgency: Sandstorm

Hardcore and realistic. If COD is too arcade-like, Insurgency has slower, more deadly combat. Sound design and situational awareness are key to surviving.

12. Valorant

Though it tilts more towards CS:GO, the pace, shooting, and character moves provide a competitive advantage. Every agent has a different set of tools, so every match is dynamic.

13. Overwatch 2

A colorful, team-based FPS where every character has special weapons and abilities. Less gore, more strategy. Focuses on abilities and teamwork, so it’s perfect for depth lovers.

14. Arma 3

Hardcore military simulator—not for the casuals. Ideal for war nerds and tactical geniuses. Missions are customizable and support large-scale battles and realistic weapon physics.

15. World War 3

Tied to being “the better Battlefield,” this game has a focus on contemporary military warfare with realistic ballistics. It has both arcade and milsim features, finding a balance for most player types.

16. Enlisted

Control units in huge WWII battles. Amazing visuals and rewarding gunplay. You rapidly switch between soldiers in real-time, providing variety and control to your strategies.

17. Splitgate

A Halo-Portal lovechild. Quick shooting + teleportation = mind-melting mechanics. The portal mechanic unlocks endless creative plays, rewarding map sense.

18. Paladins

If COD and Overwatch had a child, it would be Paladins. Hero shooter with traditional gunplay mechanics. It’s simple to pick up and has plenty of customization available.

19. Rogue Company

4v4 team battles that play tactically and feel refined. A relaxed but strategic COD substitute. Revive mechanics, gadgets, and multiple maps make it competitive-friendly.

20. Battlefield 2042

The most recent in the Battlefield series with 128-player combat and frantic sandbox action. It’s futuristic, has specialists with powers, and is great in huge, destructible maps.

Bonus: Novel Mechanics to be Found in COD Alternatives

• Portal Mechanics (Splitgate)
• Class-Based Systems (Warface, Paladins)
• Extraction & Loot Systems (Escape from Tarkov)
• Hero Shooter Dynamics (Apex Legends, Valorant)
• Battle Royale Pioneers (PUBG)

These mechanics offer gameplay complexity and diversity that COD modes rarely match.

What Does It Take to Make a Game Feel Like Call of Duty?

• Gunplay and Ballistics: Tight shooting, natural recoil, nice feedback.
• Pacing: COD lives or dies by quick, twitchy action.
• Customization: Gunsmith-level weapon loadouts, perks, skins.
• Modes: Multiplayer, zombie co-op, campaigns.
• UI/UX: Simple interface, intuitive HUDs, ping systems.

If you’re making a COD alternative, don’t copy the visuals—recreate the feel.

How You Can Create a Game Like Call of Duty

1. Select Your Engine Carefully

• Unreal Engine: High-end visuals, robust FPS support.
• Unity: Good for cross-platform and small team development.

2. Core Mechanics Design

• Quick reload animations
• Sliding, vaulting, prone movement
• Kill streaks, perks, and XP systems

3. Multiplayer First Philosophy

COD’s heritage is multiplayer—prioritize your dev time on modes, matchmaking, anti-cheat, and maps.

4. Build for Modularity

Let players customize weapons, skins, and controls.

5. Implement Realistic Physics

Improved recoil, damage calculation, and environmental interaction can go some way towards simulating that COD punch.

6. Monetization Should Be Clean

Go for battle passes and cosmetics. Stay away from pay-to-win mechanics that’ll ruin your game’s reputation.

Common Blunders While Developing Shooting Games Similar to Call of Duty

• Copy-pasting COD without creativity
• Buggy map designs that benefit campers
• Lagging servers or poor matchmaking
• Flat gameplay with no new modes
• Imbalanced weapons or biased progression systems

How Tekrevol Helps in Creating a Game Like COD

Tekrevol is the best game development company for all those who want to create high-end, creative shooter games like COD. Here, we have a team of 3D artists, Unity and Unreal Engine developers, and experience game designers. Tekrevol provides customized solutions that depends upon gameplay dynamics, player experience, and scalable multiplayer architecture.

What really makes Tekrevol the go-to game development partner is its emphasis on innovation and cross-platform compatibility. From mobile-first shooters to AAA-style PC and console games, Tekrevol brings expertise in integrating advanced features like real-time voice chat, responsive HUDs, and dynamic combat systems. 

If you’re serious about launching a competitive COD alternative, Tekrevol provides the tech infrastructure and creative edge to make it happen—efficiently and at scale.