Heroes of the Storm Reviews
Purists of League of Legends and Dota 2 will likely scoff at Heroes of the Storm's attempt to swim in the MOBA pool. Yet I have a feeling Blizzard isn't concerned much with their jeers. Not only does Heroes of the Storm bring together a trio of admired franchises to brawl it out, it also delivers an accessible and entertaining entry into the genre, with a competitive journey for those willing to dole out either time or money.
Heroes of the Storm has plenty of room to grow, but even with its numerous deficiencies, we're simply not having as much fun with any other MOBA. At this point, we've overdosed on so many would-be competitors to League of Legends. Heroes of the Storm is a revitalizing and largely successful attempt at looking at the genre in a different way. Blizzard refused to say "me too" and we're all better off for it.
Heroes of the Storm is a well-made game all around. While it has its downsides, the upsides most certainly outweigh them, and make it a stunning game regardless. Its faults lie mainly in how it can often be a bit too fluid, making it hard to form set strategies, as things can be shaken up a bit too much. However, it does manage to remain true to the basic MOBA formula, while finding its own very distinct, new ways of approaching it.
A competitive, online-only game is a difficult thing to design, as it is as much reliant on an active player base as it is on the game. With Heroes of the Storm, Blizzard seems to have succeeded on both fronts. The game is appealing to both casual and hardcore players, seamlessly splitting them into different player groups. If you've never given a MOBA a try, Heroes of the Storm is the perfect entry point.
Heroes of the Storm can improve with future patches, and will have to do so if it wants to compete with more established titles in this fiercely competitive genre.
Heroes of the Storm is the perfect place for newcomers to experience the MOBA genre. It's simple and easy to get into. It shouldn't be dismissed by veterans either. There is a layer of complexity that even the most hardcore of MOBA gamers can appreciate.
Heroes of the Storm isn't a perfect game - but it's not far off. The faults are minor and largely overshadowed by the many positive aspects. There really is very little risk in giving this game a go - it's free, the games are short and you don't have to take it completely seriously - and the payoff is well worth it, and more.
There's a solution [to my issues with the game], I guess. It would be to recruit my team of five and play with people I know. It would be to vet the world and close myself off from the weird chance of playing with randos. Lots of people have no choice but to do this for various reasons. I understand that's a solution, but it isn't a road I want to go down. I want to be open to the clever teammate. I want to be open to the all-star player who happens to queue alone. I want to be open to wonder.
.If you couldn't get into DOTA 2 or LOL though, Heroes might be the game for you. It has a sneaky depth to it, a crafty addiction about it, where you'll start out just playing a game a day and then suddenly you're browsing the forums on your phone during the intervention your wife is holding because your addiction to Heroes of the Storm has affected her in the following ways...
Heroes of the Storm isn't your new MOBA fix and it may not even appeal to every kind of strategy gamer out there. Despite a hefty amount of grinding, Blizzard presents a strong amount of content and gameplay in an aesthetically pleasing packaging. And if nothing else, it's great for a few time-wasting rounds here and there.
If you're both a fan of the MOBA genre and Blizzard's various properties, there's no reason you shouldn't check Heroes of the Storm out. It may seem like Blizzard's just got another "me too" on its hands at first glance, but there's enough to set this MOBA apart from the rest and it all combines together to make for a distinct and thoroughly fun experience that no fan of the genre should miss.
I can't recommend Heroes of the Storm's friendly approach enough.
Heroes of the Storm is Blizzard's attempt to bring multiplayer online battle arenas to the masses, and it succeeds, which isn't necessarily a good thing.
There has never been a better time to check out Heroes of the Storm or come back to it. I strongly suggest you give it a look!
It's hard to find as fun and fresh a package as this one in the free-to-play MOBA genre. I think it'll pay to stick around, because I'm never quite sure what they'll cook up next.