The big day is finally here, Ninja Theory’s MOBA brawler has been pushed live on a number of platforms, finally allowing players to inspect the offerings themselves as another team-based competitive fighter has landed. The title is available currently on Xbox One, Xbox Game Pass for PC, Microsoft Store, and Steam. Admittedly, it has done better than many thought it would on its initial release; it’s currently sitting at 68% recommended out of 196 reviews, and reviews both positive and negative seem to echo consistent statements.
First, you cannot deny that this title oozes style out of every orifice it has. Wild, over-the-top character design mashes together everything from technobabble to ancient magics, and it does so with ease. The heroes are all unique and readily identifiable from each other at a distance, so you know what you’re facing well before you start swinging in the fray. The abilities are similarly unique, bringing the backstory of the characters to the foreground as they use whatever bizarre ability they have to demolish the competition foolish enough to stand in their way.
Of surprising note is that the loot boxes and microtransactions mechanics are all missing, with no note of them being added in the near future. This isn’t a statement saying that they will never be added, but more so a capitulation that the widely-held belief that the game would prominently feature them is incorrect.
The negatives are similarly ubiquitous, for better or worse. The good news is that with the vast majority finding similar problems, it should make updating the title relatively easier for Ninja Theory.
Additionally, ranged heroes require very little skill to properly land their shots and contribute to team fights. This is a bit of concern in terms of balancing; ranged heroes are typically a safer hero class to play in MOBA’s as it’s difficult to close the distance against them. That’s typically balanced by clean hitboxes that demand precision and accuracy from players across a wide range of circumstances, which is simply not the case currently. It’s difficult to miss with them at the moment, allowing ranged heroes to sprint around the outside of fevered fights until the enemy is dead.
Currently, there is only a quick play option within the title. There are no ranked game modes, or skirmishes to learn new heroes; you get a quick play function and that is it. This, along with the fact that there are currently only eleven heroes makes the title appear to be a bit dull for some. Many matches, you’ll run into the exact same enemies, on the same maps, ad nauseam until you decide to log out. The lack of both of those aspects being fully fleshed out bring the idea that this is a quiet consumer beta; Ninja Theory will judge, based on the reactions of the public, whether or not to push more resources into the title.
If it does well enough, it’s highly likely that a specific ranked game mode will be available in due time, along with a slew of new characters that will offer the ability to shake things up in the title.
Overall, many are reporting that its a beautiful game with style in spades, and it plays very well. If Ninja Theory can dial in on some of the complaints against the title, and show that they’re willing to stand behind their title, we could have something coming up worth taking notice of.
