There was a time where MOBA games were the new kids on the block. It’s a genre that revolutionized the whole gaming industry. “Multiplayer Online Battle Arena”- games raised the bar when it comes to eSports. League of Legends was a free-to-play-game that came out of nowhere and it became one of the most popular games in the whole world. Not long after that, other developers tried to make a MOBA that could compete against this free-to-play titan, trying to maintain the same core mechanics but adding some new tricks.
For example Infinite Crisis (DC Universe inspired), DOTA, Heroes of the Storm (inspired by the Blizzard universe), … and much more, there are even mobile MOBA’s on the market to broaden their horizon. However none of these games could really compete against LOL but they all gained their community and that’s why it’s hard to develop a MOBA that would be liked by so many different gamers, especially when the MOBA formula is a successful formula but a difficult one to alter. NCSOFT understood these risks but accomplished a great MOBA that will feel like a brand-new homecoming.
NCSOFT is known by its popular games like Aion, Lineage, Blade & Soul, Wildstar, Guild Wars, … This MOBA takes on the popular MOBA- formula with a few tweaks here and there, as well as adding different characters from one of these universes or some new “unknown” characters. A MOBA is a game genre where you pick out a hero with its own set of skills and place it in a 5v5-battle where the goal is to “destroy” your opponent’s core/ base. At the start of a battle, you’ll be choosing a lane that goes from your base to the enemy’s base. Your core and the enemy’s core will spawn out minions that’ll have the habit of killing every single enemy that crosses its path. This whole “battle area” has different shrines that can give your team a bonus. Kill the guards and claim the bonus. These shrines can also summon big creatures on the middle lane heading towards the enemy core and slaughter everything in their path. Each enemy you kill gives you a certain amount of EXP that can be used to level up your character and strengthen your abilities. It’s all about targeting the right enemy at the right time and performing well with your teammates.
NCSOFT’s MOBA maintains this “gameplay” but they do some things differently. First, the game is more fast paced action thanks to the targeting system. In other MOBA’s it’s all about targeting enemies with your mouse cursor and unleashing your abilities from 1 to 4. With MXM it’s a bit differently. Your mouse buttons are “action” buttons and it’s also being used to aim your abilities, alongside this setup you can also choose between a couple of abilities. If you level up your character, you can upgrade those abilities and the stats of your character. The second major change is the use of 2 “masters” instead of one. Normally, you pick out one character for the whole match. In MXM, you can choose 2 characters that can be switched during the whole battle. This mechanic is an interesting one since you’ll be able to combo abilities from different characters on the spot which will add a new layer of strategy or a new escape option. Get into the heat of battle with your main damage character and get out safely with your tank character. The options are limitless, just combine the two characters that match your playstyle!
The most common formula in a MOBA game is a battle between teams that consists out of 5 players. Each player has the same goal but it’s the teamwork that truly matters, especially in MXM! The game depends on time and a scoring system. Each 100 points offer you a titan (you have 3 types of Titans), there’s also the possibility to boost your Titans with “titan shards” or even become a titan yourself but those “Transformations” are slightly overpowered and I do hope it will get patched. Anyways, the game also depends on time. A match can’t take longer than 25 minutes. If the time is depleted, the team with the “most points” becomes the victor. If you can destroy the enemy’s Titan core, you’ll be the victor. This is a love or hate kind of situation, whenever I’m looking at a LOL stream, things just get excited after 25 minutes. Some of those battles become hardcore and amazing to watch because everyone is coming to their “highest” point and it all becomes about skill and teamwork. Then again 25 minutes isn’t as bad as well because after a while, matches become too long and it’ll mess up your concentration. You’ll be able to play more matches and level up your masteries quicker because of that “time”. The time won’t be for everyone and some will even say that it feels like a game that’s being rushed. You’ll make stupid decisions because you have this expiring time to worry about, it may become a bit chaotic. When you have a limitless amount of time, people really can think about their tactics and strategies. This feature will be loved or hate.
Next, to the classically styled gameplay of 5v5 matches, the game will also offer 3V3 modes and this is actually a great variety when it comes to MOBA’s. This mode offers teams to go against each other but on a smaller map with obstacles that can deflect or counter your abilities, there are even power-ups that can really alter the battlefield. When you’re in this mode, it’s all about the kills. This is also a great concept when you want to play another styled MOBA game with less to think about. It’s just some mindless killing action!
“There’s still some improvement when it comes to becoming a “noob friendly” game. “
The 5v5 and 3v3 game types are based on PVP action but this is the first MOBA that actually has a bit of a story mode. This story mode can be played with friends or alone. Now don’t get your hopes up, yes there’s a story but it doesn’t bring you something “IN-DEPTH” but it’s a fun way to test out the skills with your masters. See this story mode as a training mode to figure out some of your new hero’s abilities and its possibilities to combine skills with a certain “other” hero. It also offers some challenging areas with some great rewards afterward.
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Conclusion:
Master X Master is a great innovation when it comes to the MOBA franchise. There are some interesting features being explored and it will definitely be in the likings of many people, definitely those veteran hardcore players that just want something different and yet “friendly”. Master X Master, is a great way to get started in the MOBA franchise but it takes some time in getting used to it. The fun part about this MOBA is the fact that you’re depending more on your own “mouse aiming skills” and that you have the opportunity to choose between different “partnerships” of Masters. Each Master offers its own set of abilities that can be used in combination with abilities from other Masters.
This feature will definitely bring some crazy battles in the near future. There’s plenty of Masters that you can choose from alongside a great “upgrading” or “leveling” system. The game also offers different types of game modes that bring up a lot of variety to the MOBA genre. The story mode is a great plus but don’t expect anything fancy. MOBA’s are often focused on bringing a great PVP mode and MXM won’t disappoint you if you want something different and yet familiar. The 3v3 takes away the tactical focus and gives you the opportunity to some “mindless” action and fun. Is the game perfect? Of course, not but LOL wasn’t made in a day as well! These kinds of games evolve over the years and become better and bigger with every patch. We’ll have to see in the future, how good this game stands out from other MOBA games. There’s still some improvement when it comes to becoming a “noob friendly” game. The game offers a good tutorial but it also offers different sublevels when it comes to the menu. There’s also a lot of going on if we’re talking about currency and items that can be used for upgrading. The social hub can be quite overwhelming when you’re waiting for your next battle to start, but it’s a nice touch. The 25 minute-limit is something, I’m not a fan of but this feature will be loved or hate by different gamers. Anyhow, if NCSOFT cleans up a bit, the game would be a lot more “noob friendly” but other than that, Master x Master is a great addition to the MOBA universe!
