Vainglory: A Spell-Blinding MOBA Game

Vainglory may not be the answer to League of Legends, and it does suffer from a host of performance problems along the way. However, as far as ports go, Vainglory transitions decently from Mobile to PC, despite those technical issues. Where Vainglory excels though, is in its deep character roster, along with cleverly implemented map designs which keep the action from ever getting stale. Ensuring no match up feels the same.

 

Whereas LoL sometimes generates a toxic atmosphere, with lengthy exchanges often exceeding the 30-minute mark. Vainglory cuts out moments of downtime, with intense, high-stakes battles that rarely go beyond the 20-minute point. With a host of game modes and features to master, along with a strong cast of heroes to trial out, Vainglory offers up a generous bounty of content especially, within the free-to-play model it subscribes too.

Though the game is in early access, overall, its high levels of visual polish and optimization do an adequate job of masking any technical deficiencies. In short, Vainglory’s dedication to layered, strategic depth narrowly outways the balance issues which occur when match-fixing with random players.

 

That aside, 5v5 affairs are always exciting. In truth, there’s never a dull moment at play. Sadly though, turning the tide of an exchange can be troublesome once one-side gains the ascendency. Thus, the snowball-effect can seal a tie soon into the battle. However, an extensive range of diverse heroes does somewhat alleviate this. Hence, leveling the playfield on most occasions.

 

Overall, there are over 48 heroes to play with, each possessing authentic combo streaks, allowing for a diverse spectrum of playstyles. What’s impressive, is the variety of abilities on show. These complement the games overdrive system, which turbocharges abilities if maxed out to full. Equally, the adrenaline system gives players the option to turn the match in their favor, issuing bonuses to players when backs are firmly against the wall.

 

Vainglory doesn’t just cater for competitive play though. Those of the casual persuasion, can locks horns in quick-fire rounds known as 5-minute brawls. These act as a welcome deviation from the high-intensity matches linked to 5v5 fights. But even those are much shorter than other games of the genre. Usually, lasting around twenty minutes in total.

Vainglory uses the EVIL engine across platforms, which has to be said, works better on some devices over others. The PC port is on the lower end of that radar. Playing the game, I experienced the very worst of what Vainglory has to offer. These issues ranged from random screen blackouts to persistent bugs, which did sadly detract from my core experience. In contrast, the EVIL engine does allow for great graphics and consistent frame-rates which hold strong across devices.

 

Also, the toxicity levels, that seem to plague other games of the genre are kept to a minimum in Vainglory on the PC. Partly because a lot of players are using tablets which eliminates chat in most instances. Meaning, the overall experience is a pleasant one in all but a few cases. If players lose their rag, there’s not much ranting. In turn, this makes the game more accessible to all age groups and abilities.

 

Vainglory demands minimal system requirements and is playable on medium to top-end PC’s. However, at each level, there are issues which hamper play. In spite of this fact, the games simple control scheme, clear-cut UI, and easy to learn systems ensures that Vainglory appeals to a broader audience. In that way, it strikes a delicate balance. Thus, inviting novices into the fold. All the while, offering up a challenge to genre-vets. And those bidding to master its complex systems.

All in all, Vainglory hits the PC portal with a sturdily energetic rendition of the Mobile game. Though that may be true, balancing issues concerning battle play. And, deep-rooted technical restraints prevent Vainglory from competing with the likes of League of Legends.

 

That said, whether you’re new to the genre, or an experienced vet looking for the next big MOBA upon which to sink your teeth. In truth, there is something here for everyone. The buzz of battle is just as prevalent here, as it is in other games, while the sheer gamut of heroes makes Vainglory a stand-out MOBA game.

 

With that in mind, the game is still in early access, so many of these issues can, and hopefully will be resolved before full-release. Regardless, there is enough of a core experience here to satisfy fans of MOBA games for many an hour.

 

What are your thoughts on the Vainglory? Also, where does the game stand when pitted against its peers? Is it a work in progress? Or, will the final product issue more or less the same experience? Let us know in the comments. As always, we value your views, so chip in below with your take on affairs.

 

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