Smite

Smite presents a compelling and distinct entry in the crowded multiplayer online battle arena genre by successfully implementing a third-person perspective. This fundamental shift in viewpoint significantly impacts gameplay, making combat feel more personal, action-oriented, and reminiscent of a third-person shooter or action game rather than a traditional strategic top-down MOBA.

The core loop of Smite involves selecting a mythological god, joining a team, and battling opposing players across various maps and game modes. The most prominent mode is Conquest, the standard 5v5 MOBA experience with three lanes, a jungle, and objectives like towers, phoenixes, and the Titan. However, Smite also offers a strong variety of alternative modes, including the chaotic Arena, the tight 3v3 Joust, and the random god selection of Assault. This variety ensures that players can find a mode that suits their preference or provides a welcome change of pace.

Character design in Smite is a major strength. The roster of gods, drawn from pantheons like Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Mayan, and more, is extensive and visually appealing. Each god has a unique kit of abilities, often reflecting their mythological theme. Learning the intricacies of each god, their strengths, weaknesses, and ideal build paths is a rewarding part of the progression. The sheer number of gods available can be daunting for new players, but the free rotation and ability to rent gods provide opportunities to experiment before committing to permanent unlocks.

Gameplay in Smite is skill-shot oriented. Mastering the aiming and timing of abilities is crucial, as is understanding positioning and map awareness. The third-person view necessitates careful camera control and awareness of your surroundings. Teamwork is paramount; coordinating engages, objectives, and rotations with your teammates is essential for success, particularly in the more strategic modes like Conquest. Communication through the in-game chat and VGS (Voice Guided System) is vital for effective team play.

The free-to-play model is implemented relatively fairly. Players can unlock gods through gameplay currency earned by playing matches. Cosmetics like skins and voice packs are primarily where the monetization occurs. While some exclusive skins are tied to purchases or limited-time events, a vast amount of content can be acquired by simply playing the game. The grind to unlock all gods can be significant for free players, but the weekly free rotation provides ample opportunity to try out different characters.

Performance on various systems is generally good, although like many online games, network stability can occasionally be an issue. The user interface is functional, providing necessary information clearly during matches, although navigating the menus outside of a game can feel a bit cluttered at times.

Regular updates from the developers, Hi-Rez Studios, are consistent, introducing new gods, balance adjustments, and events. This continuous support helps keep the game feeling fresh and the meta evolving, although it also means players need to stay informed about changes. The community is active, supporting a competitive esports scene.

In conclusion, Smite offers a refreshing take on the MOBA genre with its third-person perspective. It successfully blends action-packed combat with strategic team objectives and a rich theme based on world mythology. While the learning curve can be steep, particularly for players new to MOBAs or third-person action games, the depth of gameplay, diverse roster, and continuous support make it a worthwhile experience. It stands out as a unique and enjoyable free-to-play option in the competitive online gaming landscape.