Get Your MOBA On! MMOGameCentral’s Top MOBA Picks
When we say “Get your MOBA on!” We don’t mean grab the cutely blue colorful tropical fish and wrap it round your face, but the more attractive scenario of diving into one of the fastest growing MMO genres on the planet. The MOBA genre exploded onto the scene with the release of Defense of the Ancients, a hugely popular mod for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. Since then big name developers across the globe have pounced on the genre, hoping to corner it in the same way that World of Warcraft dominates the MMORPG genre. Everyone’s aware of a few MOBA titles, but there’s plenty that have fallen under the radar. Below is a list of MMO Game Central’s 5 most interesting MOBA titles around today. The majority of MOBA titles feature almost identical mechanics so we’ll mention what makes each of the titles unique.
League of Legends
This one is a no brainer but no MOBA article is complete without mentioning the genre giant from Riot. Without a doubt League of Legends is the current driving force behind MOBA games, even surpassing World of Warcraft in hours played per month. The game has gathered a massive following and includes tournaments with some of the best competitive teams from around the world. The game has become so popular due to the brilliantly designed free to play model and regular content updates.
More on League of Legends.
Smite
The defining feature of Smite is the character settings and camera style. The characters in the game are based on Gods and Deities from different religions throughout history, including iconic names such as Zeus, Odin and the recently released Thor. The main selling point of the game is the fact that it’s played in a third-person view, instead of the loose isometric view usually associated with the MOBA genre. Smite also elusively features skill-based abilities, removing auto-targeted skills and replacing them with difficult to aim abilities and maneuvers.
More on Smite
Universal Monsters Online
The latest game from MMO giants Bigpoint, Universal Monsters Online is a unique collaboration between the genre giants and the massive movie production studios at Universal. Although the game features rather unsurprising MOBA mechanics, it does use the unique selling point of using various beasts and monsters made famous by dozens of Universal movies. Players can control iconic characters such as Frankenstein, Van Helsing and Wolf Man.
More on Universal Monsters Online
Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes
This is a bit of a strange entry to the MOBA genre as quite a few don’t really consider it a MOBA game. Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes is basically the instanced PvP from the popular Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning, and that’s about it. There’s a few different game modes but they’re all mostly featured in the MMORPG game. Those that enjoyed Warhammer Online: Age of Reckoning during the explosive PvP launch will surely have that unique nostalgia feeling running through their veins as they pick up this latest addition to the MOBA world, but MOBA veterans may feel it falls a bit short.
More on Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes
DOTA 2
The only other MOBA on this list that comes even close to League of Legends in terms of popularity and the competitive scene. Every MOBA forum or board you visit will have a post dedicated to the endless debate for the MOBA crown between DOTA2 and League of Legends. Although again DOTA 2 doesn’t really explode with any severe innovation, it is the sequel to the mother of all MOBA games and the regular features and mechanics found in MOBA titles have been polished to perfection
More on DOTA 2
So what do you think is the best MOBA game around? Do you have a personal favorite or do you play one others seems to dislike? Let us know in your comments and stay tuned for our Ultimate MOBA Review coming soon.
WarMage Battlegrounds, http://www.playwarmage.com, is a great MOBA game for fans of turn-based tactics.