Dota 2 Review

Dota 2 is a MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena) game available for free. Released in 2013, it is a sequel to DotA (Defense of the Ancients).

In this review, I will be going over the gameplay mechanics of Dota 2. I will tell you what I liked about the game and what I didn’t.

If you’re wondering whether Dota 2 is the right MOBA game for you, continue reading!

Check Out: Deceit Game Review

Dota 2 Review

1. Gameplay

Dota 2, as mentioned, is a MOBA game, which means that multiple players play online at the same time. It belongs to the RTS (Real Time Strategy) subgenre of strategy games, which means that players don’t take turns playing but rather all play at once.

Teams in Dota 2 consist of five players. The goal of the game is to fight over an “Ancient,” a large structure that towers in the enemy’s base.

Your team of five heroes, each controlled by a different player, will attempt to overtake the enemy’s Ancient. Since the enemy team will be attempting to take over your Ancient as well, you will have to defend it.

Check Out: Apex Legends Review

To get to the Ancient, you will need to use the lanes. The battles on the lanes typically involve 1v1 or 2v2 play, depending on the lane.

The lanes are defended by towers, from which you can be shot on. You need to destroy these towers, but they are not the only obstacles you must overcome.

There are also barracks located in the enemy’s base. These barracks spawn creeps, and you have to destroy the barracks to prevent these creeps from spawning.

Creeps are NPCs (Non-Playable Characters) controlled by the computer game. Not all creeps are hostile to just one side, though.

Some creeps are hostile to both sides. These neutral creeps are spawned not from the barracks; instead, they live in camps in the jungle between the lanes.

The good news, though, is that if you don’t attack one of these neutral creeps, they won’t attack you. They only harm you if provoked, so if you stay out of their way, they won’t attack you.

That’s sometimes easier said than done, though, and not always a smart strategy. By killing creeps and farming the jungles, you can get more resources.

For example, when you kill a creep, you can get gold.

In addition, you should definitely attempt to capture Roshan, a powerful neutral creep who, when captured, offers rewards such as the ability to revive after death.

There is also a special fountain located at the spawn point which assists in healing and regeneration.

Explore: Brawlhalla Review

2. Game Modes

There are many game modes in Dota 2, which helps keep things more exciting. For example, in All Pick, players can select any hero and even swap heroes with teammates; alternatively, a random hero can be selected in All Pick.

New Player Mode is ideal for new players. You can even leave a match in New Player Mode without penalties, as your character will continue to be played by the system.

There is a mode that lets you play against bots, and there is also a mode in which you can’t select a hero; rather, one is selected for you randomly.

For quick matches, choose Turbo Mode. If you want a competitive experience, go for Ranked All Pick, which is similar to All Pick but includes a ranking system.

In addition to modes created by the game developers, there are also custom modes. The good part about Dota 2 is that it allows players to create custom modes for the community.

In general, regardless of which mode you select, you can expect the game to last around 30–60 minutes. This can vary, though, as if an Ancient is captured by one of the teams, the match will be over.

Explore: Games Like Gunfire Reborn

3. Heroes

There are over 120 heroes in Dota 2. Each hero has unique capabilities and strengths, but they can vary depending on the cycle of the game.

For example, Bristleback reduces damage coming from the rear and throws damaging quills.

Leshrac has a powerful aura and can split the earth under the feet of enemies, which stuns them for a while, giving you an advantage.

Starbreaker has a special hammer which she whirls around three times, dealing devastating damage. In addition, she smashes her hammer down into the ground, stunning opponents.

Choosing the right hero can help you win a match. Of course, to make things more fun, you can randomize the hero you will be assigned, depending on the game mode.

Also Read: Best 2-Player Horror Games On PS4

4. Competitions and eSports

One of the best things about Dota 2 is the competitive aspect to it. It has tournaments and allows for competitions on local area networks.

You can watch competitions in real time, including in virtual reality, and purchase tickets to watch tournament events. There is even a fantasy sports system.

There are elite, professional players who compete in some of the top Dota 2 tournaments. There are amateur leagues as well, and if you’re just a casual player, you can join one of the community leagues.

For example, The International is an annual tournament that is watched by many Dota 2 fans. Watching competitions gives you a chance to learn new things, improve your skills, and have a lot of fun.

The International is now incorporated into the Dota Major Championships.

Check Out: Best 2-Player Roblox Games

The Good: What I Liked About Dota 2

Let’s go over some of the best things about Dota 2.

Free to Play

Dota 2 is free to play. Unlike many other free to play games, though, all the heroes are free to play. You don’t have to pay to unlock them.

Of course, there are upgrades available for purchase; the developers have to monetize the game somehow. While all heroes are available under the free to play model at no cost, you can buy goods from the Dota Store.

These goods include skins, armors, and cosmetics. Note that these goods are cosmetic and will not affect gameplay.

The developers of Dota 2 wanted a system in which players can not get an advantage by paying for better weapons or armor. Instead, anything you get from the store is purely cosmetic.

Another great thing about Dota 2 is that it accepts community contributions. In other words, there are many cosmetics and goods created by the community and available for purchase in the store (not all submissions are accepted).

Another way Dota 2 monetizes the game is with Dota Plus. It’s very affordable and allows you to level up your heroes and unlock new tiers and badges.

The main advantage are the statistics and suggestions it gives you based on an analysis of the gameplay of millions of other players. You will get suggestions such as which items to select and which builds to create, helping you gain an advantage if you are new.

It also provides other perks, such as new chat wheel responses.

Also Read: Best Single Player Switch Games

Another monetization method is the Battle Pass, which is a seasonal competition in which you can progress, earn rewards, and enjoy special features like Guilds.

Skill Progression

Dota 2 relies heavily on skill, which is one of the good things about it. As already mentioned, you don’t have to pay to get better capabilities.

In addition, it has a very high skill ceiling. In other words, you can play the game for years and still improve.

Other games have a skill ceiling. After a certain point, you can feel like there’s no way to get better at the game, and it starts getting boring.

Besides, Dota 2 is always adding new updates, keeping things fresh.

Also Read: Best 2-Player Story Games On PS4

The Bad: What I Didn’t Like About Dota 2

There’s nothing bad I found about Dota 2. However, one disadvantage stems from an advantage: the endless skill ceiling.

It might seem like you can never master the game. You can play for years and feel like your effort has been spent for nothing.

It also means that there is quite a learning curve involved in the game.

Another thing that could be considered a disadvantage are the highs and lows of this game. You might feel like you are on a winning streak, winning matches easily. Suddenly, though, you have a horrible match in which you fail miserably.

Dota 2 can really be an emotional roller coaster!

Check Out: Games Like Flight Rising

Conclusion

Dota 2 is a great game overall.

It’s fun, free, and offers endless progression opportunities. However, do take care of your mental health.

Highs and lows are common in this game, so don’t let yourself feel down if you suddenly go from an amazing match to a terrible one; it’s normal.