MOBA games have evolved over the years, but they still remain a popular game genre. On Ranker, users have voted which MOBA titles are worth playing.
Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games like the recently released Pokémon Unite and the classic Defense of the Ancients remain to be a popular gaming niche. In MOBA games, players get to use different characters with unique abilities and work alongside their team to defeat an opposing squad.
MOBA games have constantly evolved over the years with some titles incorporating fun and innovative gameplay and mechanics. But with so many MOBA games out there, it can be hard to pick which one to play. Thankfully, the users on the poll website Ranker have cast their vote and chosen the top MOBA games worth spending time on.
Arena of Valor is a MOBA game that’s mostly available on handheld devices like the Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android. Just like other MOBA games, Arena of Valor allows the player to use a hero that has a unique set of abilities and stats and work alongside a team to defeat the enemy base.
While there’s a lot to be desired with Arena of Valor’s aesthetic and graphics, the game has gained a loyal following of gamers thanks to its straightforward controls and gameplay. It might not be popular as other MOBAs, but Arena of Valor has received recognition in the tournament scene, so much so that the game is included as a medal esport event in the upcoming 2022 Asian Games.
Developed by Super Evil Megacorp, Vainglory is a MOBA game available for PC, iOS, and Android. In the game, players can choose to participate between 3v3 or 5v5 battles that see them control a hero while making sure that they also secure and kill jungle creatures for resources that can boost their skills.
What’s notable about Vainglory is that it allows for cross-platform play, which means that players on the PC can also battle those using their phones. Gamers note that while the game’s visuals are not as polished as other MOBAs, Vainglory does have an incredibly detailed map and well-thought-out characters.
The free-to-play MOBA from Hi-Rez is a team shooting game that’s set in a sci-fi fantasy world. Instead of magical skills or weapons like swords, gamers get to use ranged weapons in Paladins. The game also has a mobile version called Paladins Strike and a third-person shooter variant called Realms Royale.
The different champions in the game also have unique abilities that allow them to shine in team battles. Paladins gets compared to Overwatch a lot as both are shooting games, but fans of the game like Paladins more as it gets updated more frequently and has a nicer community.
Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is a MOBA game created by Shanghai-based developer Moonton. The mobile-exclusive game is well-loved by gamers due to its highly-competitive battles and diverse selection of heroes to choose from.
However, MOBA fans note that there are a lot of similarities between Mobile Legends: Bang Bang and League of Legends. In fact, some of the champions in League of Legends closely resemble those in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang. League of Legends developer Riot seems to think the same and has pursued multiple lawsuits for copyright infringement.
Defense of the Ancients came from humble beginnings. Initially, the game was a MOBA mod for the popular online video game Warcraft III. DotA eventually became a huge force in the world of gaming as it became a constant fixture in esports tournaments.
There are two factions in Defense of the Ancients who have their own set of heroes and backstories. Players can choose between heroes from “the Sentinel” and “the Scourge”. Despite being around for about 18 years now, there are still some players who prefer playing Defense of the Ancients over its popular sequel.
Even though Defense of the Ancients originated from Warcraft III, a Blizzard game, the developer still wasn’t able to retain the commercial franchising rights to it. In response, Blizzard released Heroes of the Storm, which is a crossover MOBA that features characters from other Blizzard games like Starcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and Warcraft.
Because of its crossover aspect, Heroes of the Storm became an incredibly popular MOBA game on the PC. Hopefully, those who are still playing it didn’t develop some of the nasty habits MOBA players are notorious for.
Hi-Rez has developed some of the best free-to-play games available today. Aside from the shooter MOBA Paladins and tactical shooting game Rogue Company, Hi-Rez is also the developer of Smite, a BAFTA award-winning MOBA game that features mythological creatures.
In Smite, players get to choose from the pool of 120 playable gods and play against their friends in a lush and vibrant arena. While it gets to differentiate itself from other MOBA games thanks to its third-person presentation, Smite does suffer from common MOBA clichés and tropes such as melodramatic voice acting and an overwhelming selection of heroes.
Pokémon get to freely battle each other without trainers in the world of Pokémon Unite. The free-to-play MOBA game from Timi Studio Group allows players to assume the roles of their favorite Pokémon, whether those are defenders like Slowbro and Blastoise or all-rounders like Charizard and Lucario.
While it may initially look like a MOBA game fitted with Pokémon skins and references, Pokémon Unite actually gives justice to the brand it’s representing by introducing game-changing objectives as well as an easy-to-approach progressive system. However, some gamers are not a fan of the sheer amount of in-app purchases available in Pokémon Unite.
Since its release in 2013, DotA 2 remains to be one of the world’s most popular MOBA games. Designed by IceFrog, DotA 2 features some of the beloved heroes from the Warcraft III mod, Defense of the Ancients, such as Beastmaster, Furion, and Lina.
DotA 2 still has a lot of gamers who aim to join professional leagues and tournaments. The International, Dota 2’s annual premier tournament, has a pooled prize money that often goes beyond $40 million. The very active player base and the vibrant esports scene of DotA 2 continue to entice fans of the MOBA genre.
Since its release in 2009, Riot’s MOBA League of Legends has garnered a lot of fans due to its excellent character design, familiar gameplay, and stunning graphics. While League of Legends has taken many aspects from the Warcraft III custom map Defense of the Ancients, it has become a phenomenon in its own right and has even become a direct inspiration for other MOBA games.
With a bustling international competitive scene and multiple tie-ins to comic books, animated shows, and music videos, League of Legends remains superior to other games in the genre.
Jom is a freelance writer for Screen Rant. His love of pop and geek culture stems from years of watching TV shows and exploring the internet from under the covers of his bed. He also enjoys engaging with vicious and casual pop culture fans on online forums. When he’s not busy writing, he can be found playing games on his Switch or listening to newly released records.
