From the games that established the genre to modern takes on the formula, these titles are the best that the MOBA genre has to offer.
Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) continues to be one of the most popular video game genres with its addictive mix of strategy and intense PvP combat. Since the origins of the genre, PC has been the primary way that gamers have satisfied the urge to test their skills in a genre known for its difficulty as well as its engaging gameplay style.
Popular review aggregator Metacritic makes it easy to identify which have been the favorite games of MOBA players, and which weren’t able to make the same impact.
Mixing aspects from the real-time strategy games that have defined the Total War series with MOBA-style gameplay, Total War Arena was a surprisingly well realized attempt at the genre from Creative Assembly. In a departure from MOBA conventions, the game was centered around 10v10 battles, with each player controlling 3 units.
Unfortunately, the free-to-play game ceased live operations only a year after the launch of its open beta. Since then, the game was resurrected by a China-based games company with new content added but, as PCGamesN reports, there is still no firm word on if the game will be relaunched for the rest of the world.
Released in 2017, Master X Master was a unique take on the MOBA genre that gained a cult fan base due to its original way of doing things, though it sadly wasn’t enough to keep the game alive. Though the game may look quite conventional, it did a lot of things differently, including having a giant hub world to explore and talk with other characters rather than just waiting in queues.
In-game, Master X Master featured a tag-team system, where each player selected two characters that they could switch between when needed. Games were also limited to 25 minutes, giving it a faster pace than other MOBAs. It’s no surprise that the game stayed in the memories of the players who enjoyed it during its brief lifespan.
Though the 2D MOBA from 2012 may have slipped under a lot of people’s radar, Awesomenauts‘ visual style sets it apart in a genre dominated by 3D top-down games. Setting 3-player teams against each other, the gameplay also takes in platforming elements and the 2D environment makes close-quarters combat unavoidable.
Despite this, the game doesn’t lose the strategy aspect that is also important for MOBAs, with tactical depth remaining one of its selling points. The game is free-to-play and has a consistent Very Positive rating on Steam as well as sitting at a 78 review score on Metacritic, meaning it’s definitely worth checking out.
Remaining one of the biggest games in the world, League of Legends benefits from its massive player base and is still consistently updated with new champions and events. Riot Games’ MOBA is now over twelve years old and, despite having a lower critical rating on Metacritic than the other biggest MOBAs, boasts a dedicated fan base.
Whilst the game is a conventional MOBA in many ways without departing too far from the formula that has made them so successful, League of Legends beats almost any other in sheer choice, with over 150 playable champions, each with their own unique kits and lore. Redditors even had no trouble coming up with 10 League of Legends champions who could have their own show after the success of Arcane.
Like other original takes on the free-to-play MOBA genre, Fractured Space unfortunately only had a short lifespan but was another memorable PC title in a genre that is often reliant on close-quarters fights between warriors. In contrast, Fractured Space put the player in charge of giant space ships, with space as their battlefield.
Even though it ceased operations in 2018, the game managed to garner a strong 78 review score on Metacritic as well as generally favorable user reviews showing that a lot of people liked the unique aspects of the unusual MOBAttlestar fusion.
Pitting deities from real-world mythologies against each other in the arena of MOBA combat, Hi-Rez Studios’ Smite doesn’t do too much different from the conventions of the genre but is nevertheless a very solid entry, earning a Metacritic review score of 83. The game matches the dominant titles in the genre with 118 playable gods and, though MOBA players have the habit of always using the same character, having this much choice is great.
The game also has a lively esports scene and remains one of the best MOBAs to play on PC. New content is still being added to the game in consistent updates, giving the game a new feel despite its nearly 8-year lifespan.
Developed by the ominously named Super Evil Megacorp, Vainglory was originally a mobile-only MOBA in which players fought for control of the path between each team’s base in order to achieve victory. Vainglory received a PC release in July 2018 but the game remains cross-platform, allowing players to play together on their platforms of choice.
Though the score of 84 it receives from Metacritic is based on the mobile version of the game, the PC version is faithful to the original game experience. The game also receives a strong 8.8 out of 10 from users as it is well-liked for its promise of not compromising on the authentic MOBA experience despite its cross-platform nature.
The spiritual successor to a free-to-play action game called Bloodline: Champions from Swedish game developer Stunlock Studios, Battlerite delivered on the promise of that game with more of an all-out MOBA gameplay style. In doing so, they were able to create one of the most fun titles in the genre, with a focus on action and fast-paced fights.
This intensity was a big part of the reason Battlerite boasts one of the highest review scores of any MOBA at 85, and also why the game continues to garner players to this day. Unfortunately, since its release in 2017, the player base has declined compared to its competitors, but it remains a fun experience and a real test of skill for players.
Assembling characters from the Starcraft, Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo franchises in a free-to-play online brawler, Heroes of the Storm is a MOBA with an emphasis on variety, with plenty of different battlegrounds in which players can test their skills against each other.
The battlegrounds also feature different quests and objectives and, although too much choice is one of the clichés in almost every MOBA game, Heroes of the Storm makes good use of it. Another aspect that Heroes of the Storm focuses on is combat, with shorter 5v5 matches that put fighting, rather than heavy strategy, at the forefront. The game’s review score of 86 on Metacritic shows how well this formula worked.
A title that is synonymous with the MOBA genre, it is no surprise that Dota 2 scores extremely highly on Metacritic with an overall rating of 90. Developed by Valve as a successor to the Defense of the Ancients mod that established the MOBA as a genre, Dota 2 remains what most other MOBAs aspire to be.
With a huge roster of heroes available to play, the 2013 title has continued to evolve since its initial release, developing a high skill level among its player base and especially in its popular esports scene.
