MOBA games have been very popular lately and even though they have a lot in common, they still have a unique feeling to it. MOBA games like League of Legends, DOTA… had their fair share of influence on the MOBA market but this next MOBA type game called “Awesomenauts” will also have a good impact on the future of MOBA type games, as it takes the classic MOBA core mechanics and twists it into a whole other perspective. Will Awesomenauts make its way into this League of Legendary MOBAs or will it use its “Recall” ability very quickly…
Awesomenauts’ setting is a 5-year jump into the future in a galaxy far far away. Two competitive mining facilities, let’s call them Red and Blue, can’t stand each other and try to make each other’s life miserable. Of course, this tension leads up to the point where the two facilities, hire mercenaries to defend the mining base from “unwanted” guests, which is a fact that the two facilities are constantly confronted with since the two facilities are in walking distance from each other. It’s like they knew…
Awesomenauts is a platform MOBA game released for consoles in 2012. Later on, the game appeared on the PC and the next big consoles as well. If you haven’t heard about this “MOBA” type game, the goal is to eliminate the enemies’ base as quickly as you can. These bases are protected with automated turrets that have only but one goal: rip you to shreds. In order to get your hero mercenary to the turret, you’ll have to be close to a drone that’ll protect you with its shield. These droids will spawn from your base after a couple of seconds and they’ll automatically walk towards the automated turrets and eventually the enemy’s base. It’s your job to protect those droids as much as you can and kill the enemy’s turrets as quickly as you can because the enemy will have the same goal as you.
Every match is a 3V3 team which can consist out of online and offline players.
The game offers you a couple of modes but the most common one is the “base defence” mode. This mode has already been explained: it’s all about killing the enemy’s base as quickly as you can. There’s also the option to do a death match mode where the hero with the most kills wins the game. This MOBA follows the same routine as the big MOBAs out on the market, but it does bring something unique to the table. First of all, it’s a 2D platformer and even with this 2D platformer, it still offers the players to strategize and play the game they want it to play. Due to the fact that it’s a 2D platformer game, you will no longer have a kind of top down view but a more 2D platform perspective. The game also brings the different lanes to the table and eventual “jungle” spots to surprise your enemy by harassing them in so many ways.
The game offers different maps and characters to choose from. All of the maps are created differently and they’ve been given different settings. There are a lot of different elements that have been added to the game that makes the game a bit more challenging. Each map has its own platforming layout that makes your jumps and landings very crucial. Not only, is the platforming layout a big feature to notice but there are also “space monsters” that can be hunted for extra life force. Don’t forget the big ass space worm that kills you when you’re standing at the same spot for too long. A good way of getting those annoying campers killed.
Every match is a 3V3 team which can consist out of online and offline players. Each player can choose between a good amount of characters each with a special ability and items to unlock. These skills and items will let you build your ultimate mercenary. The characters are all based on different professions (tank, long/ short distance shooting, an assassin …) and personalities. There’s nothing like the amazing creative thoughts of the developers. All these cartoony characters feel fresh and well developed.
It still offers the players to strategize and play the game they want it to play.
During the match, you’ll be able to collect different points that can be used to upgrade your character. In the beginning of each spawn, you can spend your points to upgrade your primary weapons, gain extra health or even the ability of health regeneration, run faster … All these upgradable abilities and weaponry are perfect for creating your own hero. You won’t buy every same upgrade with each match, no it depends on how the match is going at that specific moment. This upgrade system lets your character adapt to the current situation and deal with the problem. These upgrades allow for a deeper personalization and add a more strategic layer to the game. Even though this can turn a bad situation into something good, some items feel more powerful than others but thanks to the amazing support of the game, the balance of the game is constantly evolving.
This upgrade system will also unlock more and even stronger items throughout your whole gaming experience. The more you play, the higher your level will be and the stronger the “upgradable ” items become. With each level you gain, an item unlocks. This gives, of course, a big advantage to veteran players and a disadvantage for new players. It’s an annoying system because it messes up the balance but then again it seems logic. A lot of games use this type of upgrade system, for example COD, BF, LOL, DOTA, …
The game has an amazing support. Gamers were promised with full support in the future and until now they really delivered. The game’s constantly evolving with new expansion packs and DLC packs. The first expansion “Starstorm” offered new maps, soundtracks, and characters like the shotgun wielding Ted MC pain, the space hitchhiker Skree, the fire- breathing Nipps, etc. This update also offered a custom game session where you can set-up a match the way you want it to be. You can now even place the same Awesomenauts on the same team which leads up to amusing battles. Overdrive was the second expansion which added 3 new recruits with a different set of skills and playstyle. The game is now in beta for their next update : Rise of Galactron which adds a new living environment and a fresh matchmaking system. The game also has different unlockable skins for the different Awesomenauts.
| The good | The Bad |
| – Cartoony atmosphere | – some minor bugs |
| – Familiar and yet different core mechanics | – no “real” story |
| – Different customization options | – Being good = playing a lot |
| – A good support |
Awesomenauts took something so familiar and added a twisted view on things. The basic core mechanics of a MOBA are definitely present in this game but thanks to the 2D environment and a cartoony look, it feels like a whole new game ready to be played. Just like every MOBA, it has a learning curve but the game offers online and offline co-op to make your experience a lot more enjoyable. The game might look simple thanks to its cartoony atmosphere but there’s definitely a good amount of strategic layers. Each character feels unique and well-developed thanks to their own set of skills and voice acting capabilities. The game has an amazing support and it feels like they’re going for the long run. Veteran MOBA players and new MOBA players will definitely find a place in this familiar and yet mysterious game.
Score: 4 out of 5:
