We got a chance to be the first of few players to test the upcoming MOBA game on android, The Witcher Battle Arena. Based on our experience playing the game, here are our initial findings:
Note: All images were taken in-game.
Mediocre graphics
It turns out that the game has average graphics. It may appear good in tablet but in 5 inch screen, we can say that it's visuals are mediocre. In our opinion, it can't compete with the visuals of Fates Forever or the upcoming MOBA game Vainglory.
Good control and UI schemes
We can commend the developer by creating a good control scheme for TWBA, which focuses mainly on utilizing the touch screen capability of android devices. The one touch controls are solid. If you want to focus fire on a certain foe- just tap the target or, if you want to cast a skill on him- just tap the the target and then tap the skill icon. It's that simple. Plus the UI's are in place wherein it will not obscure the vision of the player. The buttons are perfectly place.
Not your usual MOBA game
No creeps, no lanes, just pure brawl with players and conquering pillars. At first, we even thought that THIS IS NOT A MOBA GAME AFTERALL. Why the hell would they tell us that this is a MOBA game when even the essential features of a Battle Arena is not found in there? The gameplay revolves mainly on killing your opponent and capturing those three pillars. Yes, you're right, it is basically like a capture the base than destroy and conquer the enemy's base.
Items are too few
One big part of a MOBA game we think is that it has lots of items to strengthen your hero but, in TWBA, you'll only get few items to increase your players stats or add some effects like life steal on your hero. It's pretty lame in our opinion. With just fewer items to aid your hero, then there will be no turning point wherein a team can recuperate with high caliber items. Game will be shorter this way in our own opinion.
Conectivity and respond time issues
Sometimes, the game lags. But we think the developer will make some improvement when the final version of the game is release. So it's not really an issue as TWBA is in closed beta phase at the moment.
Overall, we are totally disappointed with The Witcher Battle Arena. We habe high hopes with this game but when we finally tested it, all those big expectations were lost. We don't know why the developer labeled the game as a MOBA when it's missing the essential parts of a MOBA game. Their are lots of work to be done in The Witcher Battle Arena so that it can be considered as a MOBA game and we hope that the final version will be far from our experience playing the CBT (fingers crossed).