Review TayAtHisLimit 3/5 · Jul 6, 2026
First Impressions / Background
I started playing Paladins around 2018–2019 with a friend from school. At that point, I already knew and played Overwatch, so I was fully aware of the similarities. Calling it a clone is easy, but after actually playing it, I think that’s only partially true.
Yes, the games share the same hero shooter formula, but Paladins …
First Impressions / Background
I started playing Paladins around 2018–2019 with a friend from school. At that point, I already knew and played Overwatch, so I was fully aware of the similarities. Calling it a clone is easy, but after actually playing it, I think that’s only partially true.
Yes, the games share the same hero shooter formula, but Paladins has its own identity through its customization systems, especially the card and loadout mechanics.
I ended up playing around 120 hours, mostly with a friend, and honestly, we had a lot of fun with it.
Gameplay / Champions
Like most hero shooters, the biggest strength is the characters.
I always played a bit of everything instead of sticking to one role. Some Champions are incredibly memorable, even years later. Fernando is one of those characters that immediately comes to mind — a ridiculous, over-the-top fantasy tank character who perfectly represents Paladins' style.
The Champions are honestly pretty unique, but also extremely cheesy. The game has this weird mix where it feels like a colorful fantasy cartoon, but at the same time some character designs and skins go in a very different direction.
The biggest gameplay difference compared to Overwatch is the card system. Being able to customize your Champion through different cards and builds is genuinely interesting and adds another layer of strategy. Two people can play the same Champion but have completely different playstyles.
Paladins vs Overwatch
Let's be honest: the comparison will always exist.
Paladins sometimes feels like the "budget version" of Overwatch — the Temu version, as some players would probably joke. But that doesn't mean it's bad.
Paladins actually does some things well:
Performance is generally lighter. The game doesn't take itself as seriously. The customization is deeper. The gameplay has a slightly different feeling.
However, Overwatch simply feels more polished overall. The animations, characters, sound design, maps, and general quality are on another level.
Paladins has identity, but it always feels like it is standing next to a much bigger brother.
Modes / Maps
I played both casual and ranked, but mostly enjoyed the classic objective modes.
The combination of capturing a point and then pushing the payload is still one of the most enjoyable parts of the game.
The maps were fine. Nothing really stood out as legendary, but they did their job.
Problems
Paladins definitely has flaws.
The game had its fair share of bugs. Most weren't completely game-breaking, but sometimes they created hilarious situations.
Balance was also questionable. There were definitely moments where certain Champions or strategies felt much stronger than others.
The matchmaking was probably one of the strangest parts. Sometimes games felt incredibly one-sided, with players who seemed completely lost — almost like they were bots.
The monetization itself was mostly focused on cosmetics, which is acceptable, but compared to games like Overwatch, the amount of free rewards always felt lacking.
It feels like the game was maintained enough to survive, but never really pushed to become something bigger.
Atmosphere / Presentation
The fantasy setting is actually a cool idea. You have magic, futuristic weapons, monsters, and completely different character concepts.
Sometimes it feels random — almost like someone threw several different ideas into one game — but that randomness is also part of the charm.
Paladins has a very specific personality. It is goofy, colorful, and doesn't take itself too seriously.
Replayability / Current State
The reason I barely play Paladins anymore is simple:
There is no real reason for me to return.
The game isn't dead, but it doesn't have the same excitement anymore. There aren't many updates that make me want to come back, and the hype around it is basically gone.
Sometimes I reinstall it just to look at old Champions or check my old cosmetics, but I don't see myself seriously playing it again.
Conclusion / Personal Take
Paladins is a weird game to review.
It's not bad. Actually, during its prime, it was genuinely fun, especially with friends. The card system gives it a unique twist, and the Champions have their own charm.
But at the end of the day, it will always be compared to Overwatch, and that comparison hurts it.
I would recommend it to people who want a different hero shooter experience, but I wouldn't recommend it to someone specifically looking for an Overwatch alternative.
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)
A fun, charming hero shooter with interesting mechanics, but forever stuck in the shadow of Overwatch. The weird cousin that everyone likes, but nobody invites first.
