For players keen to dissect their clutch plays, analyze tactical blunders, or simply relive epic moments, the ability to watch game replays is a vital feature in competitive titles. However, as of mid-2025, Valorant, Riot Games’ popular tactical shooter, continues to operate without a fully integrated in-game replay system, a feature long requested by its dedicated community.
Despite ongoing rumors and indications of an official tool in development, players currently rely on external solutions to record, review, and analyze their gameplay.
The Current Landscape: Third-Party Solutions Reign Supreme
Without a native replay viewer, the most effective way for Valorant players to review their matches is by recording their gameplay as it happens.
Several third-party software options offer robust capabilities for this purpose:
- OBS Studio (Open Broadcaster Software): A highly popular, free, and open-source solution, OBS Studio allows players to capture their entire match from start to finish. Users can set up a display or game capture scene, configure their recording settings for optimal performance, and simply hit record before queuing into a match. The saved video file can then be reviewed using any standard media player.
- Nvidia ShadowPlay: For gamers utilizing Nvidia graphics cards, ShadowPlay offers a seamless recording experience with minimal impact on performance. Its “Instant Replay” feature is particularly useful, allowing players to save recordings of recent gameplay moments or entire matches using simple hotkeys, even if they didn’t explicitly start recording at the beginning of a game.
- Outplayed or Medal.tv: These user-friendly applications are specifically designed for automatic gameplay capture. They excel at automatically saving highlights, significant kills, and key moments, but can also be configured to record entire matches based on user preferences, often with a lighter resource footprint than more comprehensive streaming software.
The Absence of Built-In Replays
It’s important to clarify that as of July 2025, the main Valorant game client does not feature a built-in replay viewer. While players might encounter “Career” or “Match History” tabs within the game interface, these typically only provide statistical summaries and not actual playback of gameplay footage.
Any past mentions or assumptions about in-game replays often refer to highlight clips or are based on outdated information, as a comprehensive full-match replay system has yet to be implemented.
Step-by-Step: Recording Replays with OBS Studio
For those looking to start recording their Valorant sessions, OBS Studio offers a reliable pathway:
- Download and Install OBS: Begin by downloading OBS Studio from its official website and following the installation prompts on your PC.
- Configure Settings: Open OBS and adjust your recording resolution, output directory, and file path to suit your preferences and storage.
- Add Valorant as a Source: Create a new “Scene” in OBS, then add a “Game Capture” source. Select Valorant from the list of running applications.
- Start Recording: Before you queue for a Valorant match, click “Start Recording” in OBS. The software will run in the background, capturing your gameplay.
- Watch Your Replay: Once your match concludes, locate the saved video file in your designated output folder and open it with any media player for detailed review and analysis.
Summary Table: Valorant Replay Options
| Feature | Availability (Mid-2025) | Description | Recommended Tools |
| In-Game Replay System | No (Not fully integrated) | No built-in feature for full match playback. Match history only shows stats. | N/A |
| Third-Party Recording | Yes | Record gameplay as it happens for later review. | OBS Studio, Nvidia ShadowPlay, Outplayed, Medal.tv |
| Instant Replay | Yes (via software) | Records past moments on demand. | Nvidia ShadowPlay, Outplayed, Medal.tv |
| Highlight Capture | Yes (via software) | Automatically saves key moments (kills, clutches). | Outplayed, Medal.tv |
| Resource Impact | Varies by software | Heavier for full recording, lighter for highlight capture. | Lighter options for low-end PCs: Outplayed |
| Future Outlook | Under demand/rumored | Riot Games acknowledges demand; official tool may be coming. | N/A |
Considerations for Lower-End PCs
Players with less powerful computers might find that continuous recording impacts their game performance. In such cases, lighter software like Outplayed or Medal.tv, which focus on capturing specific highlights or optimize for lower resource usage, can be a more suitable alternative.
The Future of Valorant Replays
Riot Games has acknowledged the community’s persistent demand for an integrated replay system. While there have been reports and indications suggesting the feature might be on the horizon, as of now, third-party tools remain indispensable for players eager to analyze their gameplay, refine their strategies, and relive their most memorable moments in Valorant.
Until an official solution arrives, recording software provides the essential window into improving and enjoying the game to its fullest.
Written by:
Christian