2. Heroes of the Storm

Each character is unique in Heroes of the Storm

Heroes of the Storm is an online multiplayer team brawler game from Blizzard with 54 playable heroes which are all taken from some of Blizzard’s most popular games like World of Warcraft, Diablo, StarCraft, and Overwatch.

You will join a team of four other players to fight against another team of five. There is a rotation of 6 heroes that you can choose from each week, which you can spend money or in-game currency to keep a hero permanently if you so choose.

Each week provides a different quest – you never know what you’re going to get!

There are weekly quests which you can choose to try to complete during the game. Each week there is a different objective and you are awarded prizes for finishing them in the allotted time.

Blizzard states that it is not your average online multiplayer battle arena game because not every game is focused around capturing or destroying bases like other battle arena games. There are currently 10 maps, 8 of which have the standard middle lane with two side lanes. Each map has a completely different environment and objective.

In the Haunted Mines, for example, your mission is to collect the skulls of the undead in order to raise a terrible golem from his grave to fight your battles for you. And in Battlefield of Eternity, you must help to free your Immortal being before the other team can free theirs.

Pretty fancy armor you got there

There are four different roles for each player to choose from: Assassin, who don’t have much in the way of defense, but deal high damage and powerful blows to the enemy; Warrior, who leads the charge and can take tons of damage, but may end up separated from the team, and therefore vulnerable to attacks; Support, who can help to heal their team, but deal small amounts of damage to the other team, and Specialist, who have a diverse set of skills to fight against the enemy with but must be skilled in multitasking in order to help the team and avoid death.

Because each role has its strengths and weaknesses, players must focus on teaming up and helping one another to survive and beat the other team.

Get that loot!

Players can choose to play seven different game modes. The first game mode is the tutorial -- simple gameplay which teaches players the basics of the game and prepares them for the big times. Training mode is similar, but it gives the player the opportunity to practice what they have learned in the tutorial. Tutorials consist of levels and the player can choose to get to know each role so that they can bring the pain when it’s time to get to the other five modes of play.

Versus A.I. is just as it sounds – players duke it out with AI opponents, and can choose to play alongside human or computer-controlled allies. Quick match, one the other hand, is five human players against five other human players. Heroes of the Storm uses a matchmaking system to pair players up based on their skill.

Level up to reach new play modes which will put you in the big leagues

Hero League is unlocked at level 30 and players must own 15 different heroes at least at level 5 or higher. Hero League will place players in League Ranks based on how well they do in-game which is determined by a point system. The higher a player gets in rank, the more difficult their opponents will be.

Team League is for players who want to play in a team. There is a ranking system in Team League as well, which is different from Hero League, but the mechanics are the same. Point systems determine team rank. Players must be level 40 or up to play in Team League.

Finally, there is Custom Game, which is most commonly used in tournaments. Players can choose their team and their map and add up to six observers.

Heroes of the Storm is another well-loved eSports game with a big following. Because it is so unique from other games in its genre, it is a refreshing new way to play. Blizzard fans will be happy to see and control heroes from other games to duke it out and there are so many different ways to do so.