[AnimeGamer]

6 Best Esports Games to Get Into 2025

Esports is a word that has gained much fame in recent years due to the massive success of titles such as Counter-Strike and League of Legends. But for as much as these games are loved, it would not be wrong to say that they are not for everyone. Not only are they hyper-competitive but also require years of practice to even stand a chance against the best. But that’s not to say that all esports are like this, as there are many great esports leagues and games out there that are better suited for new players. Following is a list containing the six best esports games to get into in the current year.


Table of Contents

1. Omega Strikers
   
2. Eternal Return
   
3. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel
   
4. UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe: Late[cl-r]
   
5. Pokémon VGC (Violet/Scarlet)
   
6. Shadowverse
   

Omega Strikers

Figure 1-1. Omega Strikers

MOBAs are probably the most famous genre for esports as they not only allow for faster matches but also promote healthy competition amongst players with the use of strategies and synergies. This is why a game like Omega Strikers is perfect for gamers looking to join the esports scene. It is a laid-back 3v3 style MOBA where players have to use specialized characters to not only score goals but also defeat enemies. Developed by ex-Riot Games employees, the game focuses more on the short-term match cycle to not only keep the players hooked but also to avoid the game feeling repetitive. With multiple characters and classes to choose from the game is perfect for new players as it will have a little bit of something for everyone. New players will also find it easier to join tournaments as the game's competitive scene is quite new but is expected to rise drastically with its current trajectory. Available on the Switch, PlayStation, Android, Xbox, iOS, and Windows the game is starting to gain massive popularity and with tournaments such as  NASL 2023 Season 2 having massive prize pools of 7,005 dollars it is bound to keep on growing. So what are you waiting for the world of esports awaits you in Omega Strikers.

Figure 1-2. Omega Strikers NASL 2023 Season 2

Eternal Return

Figure 2-1. Eternal Return

It would not be wrong of me to say that Eternal Return has taken East Asian countries by storm as it is massively popular in the region and with due reason. It features a unique and fresh take on combat allowing players not only to experience the thrill of a MOBA but also the heart-pumping action of a battle royale all in one game. The game also features a massive roster of characters that allow players to customize their style of play, which can then be further customized with the skill progression system. Now, at a glance, the game may not look all that esports-friendly or new player-friendly, but let me tell you the game has a dedicated esports following with multiple tournaments happening each season which not only give players a stage to test their skill but also help the developers with ironing out the bugs to make sure the game is well balanced. One of these tournaments is also set up for new players to get them accustomed to the mechanics of the game and its esports ecosystem. After a player has gotten a grip they may try their luck at the Master which is held in closed discord communities and managed by the official development team. They also have cash rewards of up to 738 dollars, which is a massive reward when you take into account the frequency at which tournaments take place. So if you want to start your esports journey with the loving support of a dedicated fanbase then this game is for you.

Figure 2-2. Eternal Return Masters

Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

Figure 3-1. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel

In the world of competitive card battling, no game comes close to rivaling the massive popularity of Yu-Gi-Oh! the massively popular series from the 90s which introduced many kids to the joys of card collecting and battling. And now nearly 2 decades after its original airing we have by far one of the most complex yet also the most accessible card game ever. It is none other than Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel, is a master full recreation of the original card game in digital format. Featuring all the major card packs in an easy-to-access system to not only play but, also collect. Players are also able to fight against each other in special curated PvP matches which form the core of its esports, as it is heavily regulated to follow the current meta rule set. This is why it is recommended as the best esports game in the card game genre for beginners. It also has multiple tournaments such as the Duelist Cup which offers over 100 dollars worth of in-game items. So what are you waiting for the game is available on Switch, PlayStation, Android, iOS, Xbox, Windows, and Xbox.

Figure 3-2. Yu-Gi-Oh! Master Duel Duelist Cup

UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe: Late[cl-r]

Figure 4-1. UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe: Late[cl-r]

Modern-day esports, while a major step up from the past still has one glaring issue that has existed since the early days of LAN meet-ups, hyper-competitive games. Of which the biggest culprit was the fighting game scene as the majority of the early years of this subgenre was dominated by games such as Smash Bros and Melty Blood. Both games while being good have a highly dedicated fan base that has derived the optimal way to play. This has led them to be outside the grasp of new beginners as they have to learn over 10 years of meta to even stand a chance at winning. A problem that is not encountered in Under Night In-Birth, a game while not as popular as the rest of the trifecta still holds enough fan attention to warrant many entry-level tournaments. 

Figure 4-2. Burn to Fight #10 (Tournament) for UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe:Late[cl-r]

A simple reason for this is the simple 4-button scheme of the game that at the service level ensures a smooth entry for new players and also manages to give veteran players enough leeway to express themselves with how their chosen character is played. Speaking of characters the game has been designed by the same developers of Melty Blood Type Lumina meaning that the game is optimized to perfection and each character is tailored to fit a specific playstyle that can be countered with another one and skill. It also helps that the game does not feature conditional-based moves or abilities, which while adding more technical complexity to the game takes the fun out of it. The latest edition of the game also features many new characters and overall refinement. This is the reason many tournaments of the game are still held, tournaments mind you which are specifically organized for entry-level players such as the Burn to Fight #10. A tournament that was held in Glasgow required a 5 Euro entry fee, but rest assured as all the fees were to be pooled into a prize pot and given to the winner of the tournament. So what are you waiting for the game is best for gamers who are looking to enter the Fithing game scene, it also helps that UNDER NIGHT IN-BIRTH Exe: Late[cl-r] is available on multiple platforms, such as the Switch, PlayStation 4, and Windows.

Pokémon VGC (Violet/Scarlet)

Figure 5-1. Pokémon VGC (Violet/Scarlet)

Lastly, we have a game that has been a cornerstone of the esports world for over two decades. It is none other than the Pokemon VGC, which has evolved over the years to reach its current iteration. Currently, it is based on the meta of the Gen 9 games Violet and Scarlet, and according to the fans, these games are the easiest it has been for players to get into the hardcore competitive scene. Some of the reasons behind this new level of ease are the multiple quality-of-life changes that managed to streamline the process of getting new Pokemon and training them to be on par with the other competitive teams. It also features new story mode events that teach the new players about items, abilities, status moves, IVs, and EVs. Meaning now players can easily learn all the information needed to make rational choices without needing to go online and search for it.

Figure 5-2. Pokémon Regional Championships Banner

But what would the benefit of all these new changes you might ask? Because the meta of the game's esports is by far one of the hardest ones to conquer and even then most tournaments don’t even allow players with insufficient knowledge and dedicated time. The only saving grace in this matter is the fact that most new players decide to either play online or take part in beginner-level tournaments to learn. One such tournament are the Regional tournaments held with the help of Nintendo itself to ensure that the new players have a safe and controlled environment to get a taste of online battles for the first time. It is also stated that the winner of the tournaments has a chance of winning either 1000 or 6000 dollars depending on the rank of the game. So what are you waiting for a world of unknown mysteries awaits.

Shadowverse

Figure 6-1. Shadowverse Cover Art

Shadowverse is a critically acclaimed TCG game from Cygames. It was initially released in 2016 and continues to thrive today with thousands of players logging in daily across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. 

While Shadowverse takes heavy inspiration from Hearthstone, it is entirely different when it comes to gameplay mechanics and lore. There are a total of 7 main classes in the game, such as Swordcraft and Dragoncraft, and each class has its own unique cards and, as such, adheres to a distinct playstyle.

Figure 6-2. RAGE Shadowverse 2024 Winner

The strategic depth in Shadowverse knows no limits. This tactical edge alone is one of the major appealing factors of the TCG game as no two games turn out to be the same. Where other TCG game players are limited by their platform, Shadowverse supports cross platform play with online players.

This leads to many people and organizations holding competitive tournaments for the game, thus making Shadowverse one of the best esports games to get into 2025. One such recent example is the RAGE Shadowverse 2024 Summer GRAND FINALS that featured a whopping $67K prize pool.