League of Legends’ iron grip on the MOBA genre isn’t about to weaken any time soon. It’s an absolute world-beater of a game with an estimated 27 million active users each and every day. Although excellent games in their own right, competitors like Dota 2 and Heroes of Newerth have been left to scrap over a shrinking portion of the market share.
For a game studio to come waltzing onto the scene with its own MOBA is an incredibly ballsy move. Warner Bros. and developer Turbine Inc. have taken a huge hit recently with their failure to launch Infinite Crisis – you know, the one with all the DC heroes and villains?
Even big name publishers have struggled to secure a foothold in this highly competitive sector of the video game industry. EA released and shut down its own MOBA, Dawngate, with little to no fanfare. Although much more successful in penetrating the market, Blizzard’s Heroes of the Storm has yet to make a serious impact.
In many ways, Epic Games appears to be the odd one out when eyeing up the list of developers currently supporting an MOBA. Sure, it’s had a hand in producing online hits like Unreal Tournament and Gears of War, but this is completely different kettle of fish altogether.
Although each boasts its own nuances, every MOBA ascribes to the same core blueprint, and Paragon is no exception. Despite its incredible visuals and over-the-shoulder camera, there’s no escaping the cemented laws this genre is built upon.
For the uninitiated, here’s a quick breakdown. Two teams of five players go head-to-head, looking to destroy their opponent’s’ base core. These are positioned at either end of the battlefield, connected by three lanes that each have several checkpoints. In order to clear a path, you’ll need to bring down the towers that occupy these checkpoints. That’s easier said than done, however, considering their massive damage output.
The trick, as in any MOBA, is to utilise minions. Split between melee and ranged, these NPCs will travel in small groups as head towards the enemy core, attacking enemies that come within range. Where friendly minions provide a shield wall for players, enemy minions act as a source of income.
By gaining Amber and XP, each character can be developed over the progress of a match. As you progress, these resources are funneled into unlocking new powers and cards – Paragon’s substitute for equipment. It’s these two elements that ultimately define the playstyle of each character, though they can all be categorised under loose umbrellas.
Kallari, for instance, is a high offence assassin, stalking her prey and always looking for the perfect ambush. Rampage, on the other hand, has plenty of meat on the bone, trading damage for a tanky health bar, allowing him to wear down attackers without putting himself in harm’s way.
Although heroes can look similar on paper, powers and cards go a long way in differentiating one from the other. Sevarog can be shaped into a tank himself, though his slowdown and knockback powers make him ideal for disabling enemies, throwing them off course.
Being familiar with other MOBAs is not essential, but certainly helps when coming into Paragon. Console gamers and shooter fans will need to adjust to the pacing as well as several advanced mechanics and features. Luckily, there’s a wealth of online training resources from both Epic Games and the wider community.
Still, learning the ropes can be a brutal experience for those who’ve yet to truly immerse themselves in a MOBA. With matches usually lasting twenty minutes to an hour, Paragon isn’t the sort of game you casually dip into either. The more you play, the more it will gradually demand in terms of both time and skill.
So, what is Epic Games doing that other MOBA developers aren’t? In truth, there isn’t much, though Paragon goes out of its way to tick more than a few boxes. The fact that it’s available on PlayStation 4 and supports PC cross-play proves the console port isn’t just an afterthought. Moving your character and landing attacks feels fun and responsive using the DualShock 4, though one or two advanced actions take some getting used to.
That said, Paragon is still a work in progress. Being in early access gives Epic the room they need to grow and adapt based on the feedback given by players. Since launch, the game has undergone numerous updates, ironing out bugs and balance issues.
Having played SMITE on PS4, amid smaller, lesser-known MOBAs, Paragon definitely comes out on top for me, personally. The way Epic interprets the genre’s core tenets will speak to a number of gamers, many of who may never have considered playing a MOBA before. Then there’s the sheer level of detail on show. From environments and NPCs to the characters themselves, Paragon looks just as gorgeous as its fancy PlayStation Experience debut.
From here on out, things are only going to get better. With plenty more content and a free-to-play launch in the pipeline, Paragon is one PS4 game you should definitely keep an eye on.
Hoopiness
You do the big two a disservice by mentioning HoN. There is LoL, then there is Dota 2. Both continue to be successful in different ways. HoN is dying a slow death.
Jim Hargreaves
HoN may not be seen as a key player here in the West but it’s still pretty huge. In terms of revenues I believe it’s still the third of fourth biggest MOBA on the market.