After being locked to PCs for years, Riot’s insanely popular tactical shooter Valorant is finally hitting consoles. The developers dropped a closed beta for the PS5 and Xbox Series X|S versions on June 14th in the U.S., Canada, U.K., Europe, and Japan regions. Gamers have been hugely hyped for this console launch, but also a little unsure if Valorant can nail the transition from mouse and keyboard.
Valorant Console Gameplay and Performance Impressions
Early console adopters quickly noticed performance issues plaguing the experience. Frequent frame rate drops, especially on the Xbox Series S, marred the gameplay’s smoothness. While the Series S’s lower specs compared to its X counterpart could explain the choppiness, these hiccups remain a worry.
Adapting Controls to Console
Adapting the controls from PC to console has been a challenging task. Valorant on console introduces a new mechanic called “Focus aiming,” which allows players to slightly aim down sights (ADS) with any weapon. However, for guns with a dedicated ADS function, like the Bulldog, Vandal, and Phantom, players must use a combination of buttons (LT+R3) to access the true ADS.
Communicating and Tactical Pings
Communication and tactical pings have also undergone some changes. With fewer buttons available on a controller, accessing the ping wheel and communicating critical information can be more cumbersome. Players have suggested adding more tactical pings, such as “I’m going to get the orb” or “Smoke this off,” to streamline communication in the console version.
Valorant Console User Interface Adjustments
for console play. While the buy menu is more challenging to navigate with a controller, the console scoreboard has received praise for its sleek and visually appealing design. However, a minor annoyance is the inability to move while the scoreboard is open, which can be frustrating for some players.
Competitive Landscape and Future Potential
Valorant on console enters a relatively sparse competitive landscape for first-person shooters. With well known games like Halo Infinite, Call of Duty, Rainbow Six Siege, Apex Legends, and Overwatch 2 as the main competitors, Valorant could carve a lucrative niche – especially being free-to-play.
Zero Tolerance for Valorant Console Cheaters
Riot Games has implemented strict anti-cheat measures to maintain a fair and competitive environment on consoles. Players caught using mouse and keyboard adapters like XIM are being automatically detected and banned from the game. This proactive anti-cheat approach levels the playing field for all.
Conclusion
While still on early stage on consoles, Valorant shows potential as a premier competitive console FPS. If Riot addresses performance woes, refines controls, and upholds a fair environment, Valorant could become a formidable console force. As players adapt and provide feedback, Riot can elevate this PC hit’s console transition.
