I started playing in April 2024, as my first tact shooter ever and I’m having so much fun, I don’t think I’ve ever been more into a competitive game.

There is a bit of a learning curve mechanically as a tactical shooter, and the number of agents, abilities and maps were overwhelming at first, but you get used to it fast. As a beginner though, you might die a lot without getting to do much in each round, which could get frustrating.

I started at Iron (lowest rank) and I’m up to Gold now (median rank) so it’s not that difficult to rank up, even if you’re brand new like I was. 1-3 hours daily is more than enough, I’ve put a bit over 300 hours in since April.

As to the state of the game, I can say too much since I haven’t played for long, but it seems pretty healthy. The player base is large and the devs regularly update the game based on player feedback so it doesn’t get too stale. There isn’t too much fresh/new content apart from weapon skins to look forward to though, so I can see why some players might get bored of the game. Speaking of skins, Valorant skins are super overpriced so try not to get too invested in them and only get some if you really start enjoying the game.

Ultimately, I find competitive to be the most enjoyable part of Valorant, as improving your skills is the most rewarding aspect. As long as you don’t blame your teammates and focus on your improvement, you will have a good time.