Heroes of the Storm - Game Review
Heroes of the Storm (originally titled Blizzard DOTA and later changed to Blizzard All-Stars) is not just another MOBA. It's a comment on the MOBA by the company whose games inspired the genre. HotS (for short) is a MOBA for people who don't play MOBAs, or perhaps even a MOBA for people who don't like MOBAs. Blizzard does not call the game a MOBA or an action real-time strategy because they feel it is something different with a broader playstyle; they refer to it as an online "hero brawler". With it, Blizzard step into territory that is both deeply familiar and deeply alien to them: a world of chunky characters and competitive strategy that they embrace alongside a world of fathomless homebrew complexity that they don't. The game features heroes from World of Warcraft, Diablo, StarCraft, Overwatch and The Lost Vikings.
If you wish to shine individually, you may not enjoy Heroes of the Storm; the game is very team-centric, to the point that even experience is shared across an entire team--all players on the same team are the same level during a match. An individual's power to affect a match is limited. Grouping up is essential to winning matches. It revolves around online 5-versus-5 matches, operated through Battle.net. Players can choose from three game modes, which include playing with or against AI or other players. When players first start the game, they may play 5 heroes provided by the free hero rotation, a methodically selected list that changes weekly, but by using gold coins, the in-game source of wealth, or through microtransactions, they can gain permanent access to a hero. Two additional heroes are available to players who have reached level 15. There are currently 39 heroes in the game divided into 4 separate roles. HotS has 10 maps at present, and each of these offers a different layout and a different set of objectives. Killing AI enemy/neutral units and the opposing side's heroes grants experience points, which are shared with the entire team. All heroes begin with three abilities alongside a passive power and earn an ultimate when their team reaches level ten. When a certain experience point threshold is reached for a team, each hero on that team levels up, acquiring slightly amplified powers and gaining a talent point upon reaching levels 1, 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, and 20. Talent points allow players to customize and empower their hero's abilities and generally result in large increase in use, especially for levels 10, 15, and 20. This leveling system emphasizes the importance of teamwork and planning, since a player's action can affect the whole team. Players can also mount different animals, such as horses, lizards, or unicorns, to increase their movement speed, automatically dismounting when dealing/receiving damage or using an ability. Minions at neutral camps can be defeated to gain experience points, and mercenaries that fight for the player. Each map has a different side-objective that will help either team and deal significant damage to the other.
The Nexus offers multiple ways to duke it out in objective-driven, fast-paced team on team battles. First, the Unranked, where you can learn the game or unwind in a more relaxed game with friends, 1) Practice — learn the ropes, 2) Versus AI — refine your skills, 3) Quick Game — ready to rumble. Next comes the Ranked, where the greatest challenges within the Nexus await in the game’s ranked play modes. All players see the map prior to the match, and then take turns drafting heroes (duplicates are not allowed) to complete their team composition. Wins in ranked mode will net you points towards a promotion to the next rank, and losses subtract points. Ranks range from 50 to 1; the smaller the number, the better your rank. Losing multiple games in a row may result in a demotion to the previous rank, but never below 40. 1) Hero League — battle solo or with friend; players level 30 and up, must own 10 heroes or more. 2) Team League —build a team and fight for glory; players level 40 and up, must own 10 heroes or more. And Custom Games, where you can set up a pre-arranged match, pick the battleground, invite players, add A.I. opponents, teammates, and observers. Besides regular hero selection, this mode has a draft setting, where teams take turns picking heroes and no duplicates are allowed— just like in ranked games. Who gets to pick first can be decided by either a coin toss, or it can be selected manually by the match creator.
The verdict: Blizzard leaves little breathing room between the sharp peaks and deep valleys of its fast-paced MOBA. Fighting to win is a blast because the playmaker heroes are incredibly fun to play, each with their own distinct skills that synergize with the other classic characters. It is a must-play for both MOBA players and Blizzard's enthusiasts. It avoids stepping into the exact footprints of the games that paved the way for the genre, and delivers a beautifully graceful, unique experience with familiar characters. And should you not fall into either category, it is still a fantastic casual-competitive game that offers untold hours of enjoyment. I believe, you will never get enough of it.