If you want to experience free games on Steam, there's, thankfully, a lot that the store has to offer. You can gallivant with your friends on hostile planets in PlanetSide 2 or message your love interest friend in a pseudo-AOL Messenger in Emily is Away.

The best free games on Steam offer a ton of content and have as few restrictions as possible. These 20 titles certainly do that in spades. The monthly active users are based on Steam Charts' stats from the past 30 days.

Apex Legends

• Steam release date: November 4, 2020
• Publisher: EA
• Monthly active players: 104,039

One of the best battle royales in the market right now is Apex Legends. It provides the high-precision gunplay from Titanfall 2 and brings it into the competitive battle royale space. Sliding down hills and using each hero's powers is satisfying to perform in the game. There will be many intense moments as you contend against opposing teams, and the game provides many opportunities to fail or succeed. The free-to-play model is a little on the expensive side if you want cosmetics and more characters, but playing from the base roster is also entertaining to start Apex Legends with.

Brawlhalla

• Steam release date: October 17, 2017
• Publisher: Ubisoft
• Monthly active players: 10,369

If you're annoyed you can't play Super Smash Bros. on PC, check out Brawlhalla. It features a smooth platform fighter experience that plays great online. It also has a vibrant cast of characters to choose from. Many will be locked behind payments or in-game progression, but there is a regularly updated free rotation of characters to choose from. One of the game's unique strategic elements is switching two weapons available to each player. Each weapon's move set is ra?dically different, and you'll need to decide which option best suits the situation.

The Finals

• Steam release date: December 3, 2023
• Publisher: Embark Studios
• Monthly active players: 14,242

Destructible environments, part??icipating in a game show, and ??great gunplay all combine into The Finals, one?? of the latest multiplayer hits on Steam. You’re taking a cash prize and trying to transport it to a capture area. On the way, you’ll have to fend off two other teams of three. With an exciting vertical element to each map, The Finals manages to stand out among? its FPS competition. Check this game ?out when you can! Oh, and it’s crossplay too! 

My Hero Ultra Rumble

• Steam release date: September 28, 2023
• Publisher: Bandai Namco
• Monthly active players: 1,494

Anime fans, rejoice! My Hero Ultra Rumble is a neat battle royale take on the beloved anime series. Each hero or villain has their own quirks that change the battle. Deku can pick up allies and run fast to get away from enemies. Meanwhile, Cementoss creates stone walls to protect his team and keep the enemy team distracted.? If you don’t want to shoot down enemies in Call of Duty Warzone or Fortnite, My Hero Ultra Rumble offers a refreshing take on the genre. 

Emily is Away

• Steam release date: November 20, 2015
• Publisher: Kyle Seeley
• Monthly active players: 11

Emily is Away is a nostalgic journey?? back into the Windows XP era of communication. There was no Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram. Instead, you used to chat on AOL Instant Messenger. This unique storytelling device isn't just a gimmick, however. There's a beautifully told narrative about two friends who have grown apart from each other since high school and are trying to reconnect. Despite there being no voice acting, all the emotional beats are there, as you await Emily's response. Try this ?one-hour game out when you can. It's one of the best free games on Steam.

Guild Wars 2

• Steam release date: August 23, 2022
• Publisher: NCSoft
• Monthly active players: 3,367

Can't afford Final Fantasy XIV Online or don't want to bother with the Battle.net client on PC for World of Warcraft? Guild Wars 2 is a good third option for an MMO. You can play the entirety of the engaging core campaign for free. However, there are restrictions you should keep in mind, like locked content until you reach a certain level. Despite that one fault, Guild Wars 2 offers a stunning? world enriched with entertaining MMORPG gameplay.

Farlight 84

• Steam release date: September 21, 2023
• Publisher: Farlight Games
• Monthly active players: 1,817

Tired of Fortnite and want something new? Farlight 84 may be your antidote. It blends the art style of Epic Games�battle royale and mixes it with the ability-based system of Apex Legends. The result is a solid shooter that impresses new fans of the game and isn’t even out of Early Access yet. The weapons feel heavy and powerful, and the overall environments look pleasing to the eye. Just tu??rn off the voice acting; it’s pretty bad!

Disney Speedstorm

• Steam release date: April 18, 2023
• Publisher: Gameloft
• Monthly active players: 262

Want a fun Mario Kart-like game without havi??ng to resort to emulation? Disney Speedstorm is a great free-to??-?play substitute. The tracks are immaculately designed and based on the films we know and love like Lilo & Stitch, Aladdin, and Pirates of the Caribbean. You’ll be avoiding pillars of fire within the Cave of Wonders and giant tentacles from sea monsters in Port Royal. While the items are disappointingly generic for a Disney game like this, there is a ??neat alternate use for most of them by holding down the button. For example, with a boost (mushroom), you can hold it to get three smaller bursts of speed rather than just one. Read my review for more information.

Marvel Snap

• Steam release date: August 22, 2023
• Publisher: Nuverse
• Monthly active players: 4,723

Everyone knows and loves the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so a card game based on the property could be a cheap cash-in. Fortunately, Marvel Snap is a cherished title for fans of card games, and it's free to play. "At work and at home, I just can’t put it down," said CJ Andriessen in his review. "With its structure and speed, it doesn’t feel as tactical as some of the other card games I’ve played, but it finds a way to be satisfying in its brevity." Each match in Marvel Snap also only lasts for three or so minutes, as opposed to Hearthstone, making this quick and easy to play.

Path of Exile

• Steam release date: October 23, 2013
• Publisher: Grinding Gear Games
• Monthly active players: 23,219

Path of Exile, despite it being a free Steam game, is an excellent alternative to the Diablo series if you crave more ARPG goodness. It features a tonne of passives to unlock through the huge skill tree system. It also includes plenty of classes, including the Duelist, Marauder, Ranger, Scion, Shadow, Templar, and Witch. Path of Exile will offer hours upon hours of content fo??r the low, low price of $0, and it also has PvP modes like tournaments and Capture The Flag.

Team Fortress 2

• Steam release date: October 10, 2007
• Publisher: Valve
• Monthly active players: 52,155

A cherished multiplayer game for many Team Fortress 2 is an absolute classic. This team-based shooter has you playing different roles. One can be the Heavy, dealing a lot of damage with his mini-gun. Another player can send out Sentries and Teleporters throughout the map as the Engineer. There are many options available, so you can find the right? playstyle. Despite the game being over a decade old, it still holds up visually with a cartoony art style. Give it a go if you haven't already.

The Sims 4

• Steam release date: September 2, 2014
• Publisher: EA
• Monthly active players: 26,585

Living out your dreams as a Sim doesn't necessarily sound fun, but The Sims 4 somehow sucks you in for many hours at a time. You're building your own house, family, and wealth in the game which will feel rewarding. You also grow relationships with other sims by hanging out with them and performing a variety of activities in the community. All of this is now free to play on Steam, so go ahead and download The Sims 4, if you want a chill simulation game to play.

Warframe

• Steam release date: March 25, 2013
• Publisher: Digital Extremes
• Monthly active players: 45,873

It's been a decade, but Warframe still pulls in players today. This game is extremely fast with powerful guns and delightful swordplay. It's been supported thoroughly by develo?per Digital Extremes. The game added an open world, and there is spaceship warfare to be had. The art style is also unabashedly strange?? as it embellishes its sci-fi genre with pride.

Omega Strikers

• Steam release date: September 16, 2022
• Publisher: Odyssey Interactive
• Monthly active players: 375

The precision of the MOBA gameplay of League mixed with ?the sp??ort of soccer doesn’t sound like a great mix, but Omega Strikers certainly proved me wrong. Each character has their own skills to master while you’re trying to score a goal. You can even take out your foes with your abilities by striking them out of the arena. The graphics are gorgeous, the concept really comes through, and the head-bump-worthy music will keep your heart racing. Check ?this game out!

Splitgate

• Steam release date: May 24, 2019
• Publisher: 1047 Games
• Monthly active players: 212

If you thought Halo Infinite’s multiplayer was disappointing, give Splitgate a go. This arena shooter offers cool weapons to control and a unique mech??anic that lets you use p??ortals to shoot through or teleport with. In my opinion, the maps are far more interesting than their Xbox-published counterpart. There are many modes to choose from as well, and you can create Custom Lobbies with all manner of rules available, including Big-Head mode.

DC Universe Online

• Steam release date: November 2, 2011
• Publisher: Daybreak Game Company
• Monthly active players: 361

We've all wanted to step into the shoes of Batman and Superman, and you can get that power fantasy by creating your own hero or villain in DC Universe Online. Behind it is over a decade of content with plenty of DC stories and experiences to encounter in this free-to-play MMO. Some of the quests are written by DC comic legends Geoff Johns and Marv Wolfman. Unlike others of its genre, the combat's fast and revolves around your choice of superpower. The game might be 13 years old, but it's still getting Very Positive reviews on Steam to this day.

PlanetSide 2

• Steam release date: November 20, 2012
• Publisher: Daybreak Game Company
• Monthly active players: 667

PlanetSide 2 is a massive FPS that spans across wide environments and many players against each other. It's not just about capturing points on a map like the Battlefield series. Instead, Daybreak Game Studios says "The core gameplay of PlanetSide 2 is about holding crucial territories and controlling resources." It also says you'll have to work "strategically as a team to secure tactical positions has long-lasting effects that can shift the tide of battle." There are six different classes to master as well as you go to war in PlanetSide 2.

Super Animal Royale

• Steam release date: August 26, 2021
• Publisher: Pixile
• Monthly active players: 578

Want a fresh spin on the battle royale genre? Well, you can play this cute take on it as you play as animals picking up weapons and trying to be the last remaining. Super Animal Royale features unique 2D bird's eye view angle on the action. The action gets wild with bombs of different types, grenades, and dart guns, in addition to the regular guns you'd expect like a shotgun or SMG. You have a fun, slightly less intense night with Super Animal Royale than the likes of Apex Legends, which n??e?eds precision in a reflex-based first person-shooter.

Dark & Darker

• Steam release date: June 7, 2024
• Publisher: IRONMACE
• Monthly active players: 17,458

Those who like sickeningly hard games will find comfort in Dark & Darker. In a D&D-like dungeon, you’re exploring an ancient citadel thwart with many dangers. You’ll be taking on tough monsters and making your way through the depths of this citadel to get the treasure you’re seeing. You can play as a barbarian, a ranger, and a bard in a three-person squad as you turn off lights to get away from enemy detection and utilize magic to gain the upper hand. The game is currently in early access, but it has a Mostly Positive score on Steam right now.

MultiVersus

• Steam release date: July 19, 2022
• Publisher: WB Games
• Monthly active players: 1,735

After disappearing for almost a year, MultiVersus has returned stronger than ever with new characters like The Powerpu?ff Girls and Beetlejuice taking on the likes of Bugs Bunny and Superman. The ??Smash-like platform fighter is thrilling with spectacular special moves, funny voice lines, and an overall polished product. Some of the new stages like the Warner Bros Water Tower are also bright, beautiful, and fun to play on. All of the action is cross-play between all of its available systems, so you can play with your pals on consoles.

Previous entries:

• Smite
• Halo Infinite multiplayer
• The Murder of Sonic the Hedgehog
• Goose Goose Duck
• DOTA 2
• Star Wars: The Old Republic

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Fun that doesn't break the bank

For some, the Nintendo Switch can be an expensive investment. Once you've purchased the console itself, there are additional Joy-Con controllers, the Nintendo Switch Online membership, and, of course, first-party titles like Super Mario Odyssey that almost never seem to go on sale, even ?years after their release.

Thankfully, there are some awesome games on this system that cost absolutely nothing to play and are most certainly worth your time and attention. Here are the 10 best free-to-play games on Ninten??do Switch you can enjoy right now.

Asphalt Legends Unite

Those missing the Burnout series may want to check out Asphalt Legends Unite by Gameloft. The intense speed,?? the outrageous tricks, and the decent graphics?? all go a long way in this racing experience. Performing tricks to increase your boost meter is satisfying, and being able to ram opponents into the walls is even more so. If you can ignore the micro-transaction-heavy side of Asphalt Legends Unite, you’ll find an underrated gem of ??a racing title for f??ree.

Deltarune

Toby Fox’s follow-up from the Undertale series Deltarune is entirely free-to-play with no microtransactions in sight. The story is suitably entertaining, while Toby Fox maintains the much-loved, oddly-natured lore of the Undertale world and characters. As you’d expect from the series, there is some stellar battle music and a unique pixel art style. If you’re a fan of Undertale, this is a must-play.

Fall Guys

One of the most adorable free-to-play games you can play on the Nintendo Switch is Fall Guys. Against 59 other players, you’re competing to get the crown at the end of several mini-games. You’re going through tough obstacle courses with the silly physics of the game, scoring goals by heading a ba??ll into the net or trying to ??outlast other players from disappearing platforms. It’s a lot of fun. I’ve only ever been able to get a crown once, but when I finally got it, I felt like a million Show-Bucks.

There are cosmetic items you may want to buy in Fall Guys, but the good?? thing is that they don’t affect the stats of any player.  This isn’t pay-to-win. Something to keep in mind is tha?t developer Mediatonic organizes free events, giving you costumes for finishing tasks.

Fortnite

Some hate it, and others love it, but no matter where you stand you can’t deny that Fortnite is a smash success. Epic Games brings out compelling maps and guns that keep its fanbase entertained. The battle pass every season provides a lot of value, and the quests the developer provides are entertaining enough to keep you invested in the chaos of the game. I personally disliked the building elements of the original concept, but there is now a popular Zero Build mode that has consumed my gaming schedule.

F-Zero 99

F-Zero 99 brings the chaos of the original SNES game and puts y?ou in a race against 98 other players. Similar to Tetris 99, you’ll need to survive as they bash into you and in s??ome cases, self-destruct around you on purpose. The controls are stellar as you drift around each corner and spin to dish damage to your foes. It’s a phenomenal take on the classic game. You’ll need Nintendo Switch Online to play this free game, however.

Brawlhalla

If you’re getting tired of playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate after all these years, you might want to try Brawlhalla for free. It has a charming comic-like art style and a simple yet engaging battle system that has you constantly switching between two combat styles. The game’s cross-play, so you can check it out with all your pals on PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and even m??obile. 

There are also pop culture icons who’ll never join Smash, like the WWE’s John Cena and SpongeBob SquarePants ?fighting each other. They’re available as skins via paid DLC.

Pokémon Unite

Pokémon Unite is an absolute delight. It takes the MOBA mechanics of a game like League of Legends and places it into a thrilling 3??v3 battle arena. The action is frenetic as you master each Pokemon's specific moves and work together to defeat the enemy team. The graphics are quite delightful, d??espite the game being available on both mobile and the Nintendo Switch. Like the previous entry on this list, there is also crossplay between those two platforms.

Somethi?ng to keep in mind is that there are multiple microtransactions in the game. There are cosmetics such as costumes for your Pokémon and trainer, a battle pass, and other purchases that your wallet should be scared of. You can earn in-game rewards, however, through the free battle pass and performing well in Ranked.

Rocket League

Rocket League is a simple concept that works so well on the Switch. You drive RC cars on a football/soccer pitch, ??flipping and turbo-boosting in order to score goals. If you need help as a beginner, on the other hand, you? can enlist your friends from all platforms and still have fun on the field, There are car skins, antennas, rocket trails, and more to unlock through paid content, but some rewards are given to you periodically as you play.

Smite

With over 100 gods to choose from and a console-friendly third-person perspective, Smite is one of the best MOBAs out there. There are beginner-friendly modes like Arena and Joust (3v3) to get you started and accustomed to learning your favorite characters. Then there's the Conquest mo??de with an expansive map and 5v5 combat. Each move adds a strategic element to the battle; for example, Cupid's Heart Bomb is a ranged attack that slows enemies on impact, while Hades can pull in his foes towards him with ??Pillar of Agony. Like most other free-to-play games, there are real money cosmetics to purchase.

Tetris 99

One of the best free games on Nintendo Switch, Tetris 99 is engrossing as you survive to be the very last player standing. You have to keep up with the ever-increasing tempo of the gameplay and finish lines to send them to an opposing player. The action gets pretty intense at times, but is always worth it thanks to the compelling and rewarding gameplay. Thankfully, there are no microtransactions in Tetris 99, and you unlock new skins f?or y??our playfield by finishing in-game tasks.

Tetris 99 com?es free with your Nint??endo Switch Online subscription.

Palia

The world of Palia is expansive, and it’s completely free to dive in and explore. As with many cozy games, there are a selection of NPCs who can be befriended or even romanced, and they all have a seemingly endless number of quests for you to complete. Palia also benefits from?? al?most monthly updates, which add new side content, items, and activities to take part in. 

The only thing that will cost you anything in Palia is premium store outfits, tool skins, or gl??ider skins. But choosing not to hand over? your cash has zero effect on your gameplay, so it’s easy to ignore if you don’t want to spend anything. 

Disney Speedstorm

Disney Speedstorm is like Mario Kart if it was free, and all of the drivers were beloved Disney characters with cars themed around them. You can drift, charge up your Nitro Boost and even knock other racers off the road by side swiping them. Again, presumably heavily inspired by Mario Kart, racers can also pick up sprites along the track to give them power ups, which can then be used t?o gain an advantage in the race. 

Sky: Children of the Light

Sky: Children of the Light is a social game in which you can meet and befriend other players. In Sky, your only task is to explore the sev??en realms, unlocking new cosmetics and increasing the level of your Cape. This Cape is your means of transportation, as it allows you to fly through the skies of the realms, taking you further into the wilds. You can chat and send gifts to friends, play musical instruments, and a whole lot more. 

My Hero Ultra Rumble

Ultra Rumble is a MOBA fit for any fan of the Anime or Manga, and sees you grouped into parties of three in order to take out the rest of the 24 players in a match. The map you play on shrinks over time, leaving just two teams of three battling it out against each other. There is a Gacha element to Ultra Rumble, but don’t let that put you ??off. You ??have six characters unlocked by default, so you’ve got plenty to work with right off the bat. 

Pokémon Café ReMix

If any of the games on this list are perfect for simply relaxing and zoning out, it’s Pokémon Café ReMix. Using the touchscreen capabilities of your switch, you need to swipe at a pool of Poké?mon faces in order to fulfil the orders of other Pokémon, who will then eventually come and work for you and unlock new recipes. It’s weirdly addictive, and also adorable on top, so definitely worth it given the lack of payment needed. 

Guardian Tales

If you want a dungeon crawling game with cute graphics, then Guardian Tales is very much recommended. Originally released on iOS and Android back in 2020, ??and then coming to Nintendo Switch in 2022, you need to use all the tactics at your disposal to lure enemies into the open so you can complete each area. It can get a little frustrating at times, ??but it’s immensely satisfying and you can join guilds with other players, allowing you to take on even bigger and stronger enemies. 

Angry Bunnies: Colossal Carrot Crusade

If you’ve ever played Angry Birds, then you’ll have a good idea what to expect from Angry Bunnies. It’s the same concept with some slight twists �you fire bunnies out of a hop-powered cannon to try and take down structures a??t the other end of the playing arena, which have been constructed by wildlife critters. I stumbled across this by accident, and then quickly racked up more hours playing than I’d care to admit. 

Tricky Doors

Tricky Doors is a puzzle-game-meets-escape-room experience that will really make you think outside the box, but it’s not too difficult that it becomes ultimately frustrating. There are ??a lo??ng list of mini-games and small quests to complete, and the different rooms in which you find yourself trapped are absolutely jam-packed with detail, so you’re unlikely to ever find yourself becoming bored. 

The Elder Scrolls: Blades

Compared to the Elder Scrolls titles that you may be more familiar with, Blades is much more linear and you’re essentially forced into one-on-one combat situations in order to progress. However, that doesn’t detract from the fun experience that this game o??ffers. There are three modes: Abyss, which is an endless dungeon to test yourself against, Arena, which is player versus player multiplayer, and Town, which is a town for you to rebuild and upgrade. 

Hamster Playground

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a hamster whose sole purpose in life is to navigate various mazes and competing with other hamsters? No? Just me? Well if you haven’t wondered, then perhaps you should, because Hamster Playground is just that. Not only are you p??laying as a hamster, but you can also dress up your hamster in a huge variety of costumes. It’s adorable and incredibly fun, as long as you don’t take it too seriously. 

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The President of Hi-Rez Studios, Stewart Chisam, revealed on Twitter today that the company will be undergoing layoffs to "ensure Hi-Rez's long-term success". In the extensive post, Chisam indicated that Hi-Rez will be shifting its focus toward positioning its upcoming Smite successor Smite 2 for a long and sustainable future.

According to Chisam, the layoffs will impact those in marketing and publishing as well as the Evil Mojo, G&A, and Titan Forge divisions at Hi-Rez. The game division of Hi-Rez will concentrate efforts entirely on Smite 2 moving forward except for small teams that will support light updates for both Paladins and the original Smite. In the near term, the focus will s??????????????????????????hift to gameplay development for Smite 2 including new modes and gods ahead of its free-to-play launch next year.

This news has a real human impact at a tough time for workers in this industry. Each impacte??d individual is a talented and dedicated professional who has poured their heart and soul?? into our games. Letting them go is a heartbreaking decision, reflects a failure in my leadership, and one for which I take personal accountability. These are all good people who contributed positively to the company; none should view this as a personal failure. I extend my deepest thanks to them for their contributions to the company and their role in helping entertain and bring joy to millions of players.

- Stewart Chisam, President of Hi-Rez Studios

Hi-Rez joins the many other companies in the games industry that suffering from layoffs this year. With thousands of jobs lost in the spa?ce just this ye?ar alone with no sign of it ending, it's hard to picture exactly what the games industry will look like in the near future.

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Developer Titan Forge Games and publisher Hi-Rez Studios revealed today that the popular mythological MOBA SMITE will be getting a sequel. SMITE 2 upgrades the third-person MOBA to Unreal Engine 5 while also introducing new content and keeping some features from the original game. Moving forward both versions of SMITEwill continue to function a??s sepa??rate standalone games.

Two Standalone Games

Follow-up tweets confirmed that while Gods from the original will also be in the sequel, some may have some changes. While some Gods will stay true to their existing original SMITE versions, others will receive new animations, FX, and even reimagined abilities. The Goddess Hecate will be the first SMITE 2 exclusive God, featuring range?d magical abilities that allow her to rea?ch through dimensions and even travel in liminal space.

The itemization system and Relics are also get?ting an overhaul. Relics themse??lves will be no more, but your entire 6-slot item inventory can now get an activated effect which is triggered by a simple button press.

New Stealt??h Zones allow players to ambush their enemies from the shadows, while the map it?self will get some reworks as well. New game-changing buffs can be acquired by defeating minions such as the Gold Fury with an evolving Jungle.

While the upgrade to UE5 in SMITE 2 certainly looks nice, players have some justified concerns over what happens to the existing content they've purchased from the original SMITE over the years. According to the SMITE 2 Steam Page, a system called Divine Legacy will grant access to cross-gen skins, badges, and legacy gems for players who link their SMITE account to their SMITE 2 account. However, there's no information ?as of yet exactly wh?at will be transferred, or if there are any sort of limitations to it.

According to IGN, not all content is carried over. In-game Skins released before Year 11 of SMITE won't be carried over as the team feels it isn't feasible to recreate the vast amount of content SMITE built over the last decade.

An Alpha playtest for SMITE 2 is planned for Spring 2024.

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Smitten

Where were you when Tony Hawk landed the 900? Where were you Danny Way jumped over the Great Wall of China? Where were you when I went o?ver the half-pipe, through the secret room, collected the hidden tap??e, and grinded the quarter-pipe along the whole back wall?

Iconic moments in skateboarding history. More iconic than the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles skating all over Smite? Tough to say.

Smite's new battle pass launches tomorrow, and it's completely TMNT-centric. We learned about this collaboration last month, and how Hi-Rez Studios is re??skinning the Turtles to play the roles of existing gods. We were not prepared for the sheer number of ollies and kickflips and pizza-eating that we'd get. Judging by the new trailer that dropped today, I'm not convinced the Turtles will make good on any of the battle arena aspects of MOBA.

And maybe that's why I love this trailer. It's not bogged down in attack stats and roles. There's no minutiae, there's just skateboards and pepperoni. Here are the TMNT Battle Pass update notes for anyone who is interested in the nitt??y gritty. I'm just here to watch?? Michaelangelo catch big air over a Fire Giant.

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In November

Hi-Rez Studios is seemingly putting all of their money-making power into Smite, locking up deals for some fairly huge IPs to appear in the game. They just recently hosted Avatar: The Last Airbender and now they're going down the nostalgia hole (and further into their partnership with Nickelodeon) with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Leonardo, Donatello, Raphael and Michelangelo are all appearing in their turtle glory, as part of ??the upcoming November "TMNT Battle Pass." As usual, these wacky characters are reskins of existing Gods. So Leonardo will double as Osiris, Donatello is predictably Sun Wukong, Raphael is Loki (ha, he would be) and Michelangelo is Mercury. You can also opt for "radical" versions of their skins, which emulate their '90s look.

As a reminder, Hi-Rez also runs Paladins, Realm Royale and most recently: Rogue Company. They're fairly busy for a private company!

The post The Turtles, yes t??hose Turtles, are coming to Smite appeared first on Destructoid.

No more 'Founders Pack' requirement

Back in January Hi-Rez Studios released Smite on Switch, but it wasn't fully-free-to-play.

Just like Paladins Hi-Rez dropped it on the syst??em in a sort ??of beta form, allowing players to pay for Founders Packs (that would essentially allow access to all content, leaving cosmetics as microtransactions). Now, you can go to the eShop and download it for free without having to pay that premium: an "Ultimate God Pack" is still an option if you want all 100 Gods (characters) and future Gods.

Smite is currently cross-play enabled for everything but PS4, because Sony is still being awful about that in 2019. The worst part about this raw deal is that PS4 owners also lose out on cross-progression: something Sony ex?ecs don't even bring up when using their "PS4 is the best place to play, there's plenty of people on the platform" mant??ra.

So is Smite even worth downloading? I think so. The MOBA genre is definitely less exciting in this current climate, but SMITE does enoug??h th??ings differently with its new perspective to the point where it's worth a shot.

The post PSA: Smite is now fully free-to-play on Switch appeared first on Destructoid.

Cross-platform progression available, as well

Hi-Rez Studios has released the latest patch for SMITE and its new features are pretty big. PC, Xbox One and Switch players will be able to play together with new cross-platform support and players can even continue their progression on whichever platform they feel like. PS4 players are left out in the cold, though that has more to do with Sony than Hi-Rez.

To enable cross-platform progression, players just need to link their Hi-Rez account with their Gamertags and everything will be set. You can check out this FAQ to get it done properly, though the feature is enabled by default for new play??ers. If you don't want to mix player pools between platforms, you can opt out of the feature with a menu toggle. Ranked matches will be limited between PC and consoles, so you don't have to worry about your rank f?alling because of someone with a mouse and keyboard.

Currently, some issues are preventing Switch accounts from connecting after linking accounts. Hi-Rez is looking into that problem and will provide a solution as soon as possible. In the meantime, the studio suggests following the steps provided in its FAQ.

Smite rolls out cross-platform matchmaking and progression on all plat??forms except ?PS4 [VG 24/7]

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Also Assassin's Creed Chronicles, Sonic Racing, and LEGO Indy

Xbox is trying something new with n?ext month's Games with Gold offerings. Through the five years the program has been in place, Games with Gold has given four free games per month to anyone who pays for an Xbox Live Gold membership. In June, it'll be three games and a ton of microtransactions for a free-to-play title.

Between June 16 and July 15, the active Xbox One Game with Gold will be $100 worth of Smite DLC. Smite is a free-to-play MOBA, and it seemingly has a healthy player base on Xbox. This is something that plenty of people will find value in. Still, it feels like a weird precedent for a free game to be replaced by a bunch of cosmetics, p??layable characters, and currencies.

(Also, Smite doesn't even have a microtransaction bundle that's worth $100 except for the 8,000 gem pack. This add-on is described as 20 gods and 50 bonus items like skins and caster package??s. That means this looks as if it's being cobbled together specifically for Games with Gold.)

June's other three games follow a more traditional approach. For the entirety of the month, Assassin's Creed Chronicles: Russia is free on Xbox One. On the Xbox 360 side of things, Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed is available for the first half of June and LEGO Indiana Jones 2 is free for the second half. As always, all the Xbox 360 games are p?layable on Xbox One th??rough backward compatibility.

G??ames with Gold: These games will be available for free in June [Xbox Wire]

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Unfortunately

Ever since Microsoft opened its Cross-Play gates, I've been waiting for Sony to oblige. That would certainly help out fans of SMITE, a game that's getting a PS4 version on Ma?y 31, b??ut cannot interact with either the PC or Xbox One editions.

A lack of PC cross support I get, because like Overwatch they have two different control schemes and different balance teams, but it's sad that we can't live in a world with PS4 and Xbox One compatibility for at least a few games. Maybe one day? I guess Sony has no reason to help out its competitor with such a big lead, and only consumers would win out.

Smite on PS4 Launches May 31 [PlayStation Blog]

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All platforms

Remember Smite?

I do, occasionally, before it slips far back in my mind with Heroes of the Storm hogging most of my limited attention for MOBAs. I'm looking over the list of gods now as a refresher, and there's so many unfamiliar faces! Ah Puch. Janus. Raijin. At this point, would it even be viable to work my way back in without first needing to watch a bunch of YouTube character guides?

Something to think about ahead of this weekend's promotional event for the game. Hi-Rez is opening access to all of the gods and giving out double experience, worshipers, favor, and fantasy points from Friday, May 13 through Sunday, May 15 on PC and consoles.

Double Everything Weekend [Smite]

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Dev hints at 60fps

Like Smite? Care about framerate stuff? Then hold onto your hats, friends, ‘cos it seem?s the MOBA will shortly be available in 60fps.

Right now, Smite is locked in at 30fps on both PlayStation 4 beta and Xbox One. However, designer S?cott Lussier dropped a Twitter tease stating that he had looked up the forecast and it “looks like 60 and breezy”. 

??Apparently p??eople didn’t quite get the hint, so he later added that a “life-changing Smite console change” is “coming soon”. 

?The video he points t??o is embedded below for your viewing pleasure. It sure does look purty.  

I'm not sure my life will be changed by 60fps, but it ain't a bad thing, right?

Smite dev teases 60fps for PS4 and Xbox One [VG24/7]

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Sprung fully formed from the head of zeus

The cat was out of the bag already, but the free-to-play third-person MOBA, Smite, is officially on its way to the PS4 following an announcement on the PlayStation blog. While the game is already in a closed alpha, Hi-Rez studios plans to hold a closed beta in March that you can sign up for today if you?? dig togas, Minotaurs, and Valkyries.

Smite is one of those games that I'm always told has a huge player base, but never hear anyone talk about. Are its fans just very polite and keep to themselves? Does the volume of the bigger MOBAs like Dota and LoL just drown it out? Or maybe (likely), I'm just not checking in on the? right places. Maybe I should sign up for the beta and see what all the f??uss is about myself.

Smite: Battleground of the Gods Coming to PS4 [PlayStation Blog]

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Practise looking surprised, k?

MOBA Smite may be coming to PlayStation 4. 

In a listing that has now since been removed, PEGI - the European rating board - has listed MOBA with a 12 rat?ing due to its “non-realistic looking violence towards human characters” and suggested that a release on PS4 is… well. Today. 

Our friends at Eurogamer manag??e?d to snag a screenshot:

The game originally released on PC two years ago, and followed up with a Xbox One release last August.

Smite listed for PlayStation 4 release [Eurogamer]

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I'll be done in a minotaur two

Hi-Rez Studios has earned a rather interesting reputation in recent years. After creating Tribes: Ascend, a game heavily relian??t on t??he free-to-play model, fans accused the studio of abandoning the game in record time (roughly a year), to focus on "other projects."

One of those projects is SMITE, a MOBA that's received a decent amount of traction since its PC beta period in 2012 and eventual 2014 release. Now, it's on the Xbox One, and works surprisingly well with a controller, despite bringing over some of the same issues ??to the platform.

Smite (PC, Xbox One [reviewed])
Developer: Hi-Rez Studios
Publisher: Hi-Rez Studios
Release Date: March 25, 2014 (PC) / August 19, 2015 (Xbox One)
MSRP: Free-to-play with microtransactions ($30 for all Gods until August 31)

Unlike your typical MOBA experience, SMITE is framed by way of a behind-the-back camera, more akin to an action game than an RTS title. It was predicated on coming to a console day one, mostly because of how simple the control scheme was, and I'm pleased to say that the transition has been incredibly smooth, gameplay-wise. For new players looking to jump in, all you really have to do to play at a base level is understand that the right trigger initiates your auto-attack, and the face buttons correspond to specific abilities, all of which are relatively self-explanatory. Of course, there's a deeper level of understanding required when it comes to leveling up your abilities and buying items and equipment, bu??t the former can even be implemented automatically if you wish.

Where Smite really shines is with its assortment of game modes that will appeal to pretty much everyone. While MOBAs typically cycle in the same few gametypes with "guest" modes appearing sparingly, Smite goes all out with five variations available at all times. These include Arena (5v5 all-out fights without lanes), Joust (3v3 one lane), Conquest (standard MOBA 5v5 three lane), Assault (5v5 ARAM), and Siege (4v4 two lanes). You can also spring for four modes that pit you against the AI, should you need the practice. In short, the game has it all, and any one mode will keep you satisfied for quite some time. It's also great that Smite works in a lot of personality into said maps, like the fact that the final "core" is actually a boss character t??hat players have to take down, and the last line of defense is a giant phoenix.

There are 67 gods (characters) currently, all from various faiths throughout history. Characters range from well-known deities like Hades, all the way to Sun Wukong, to Guan Yu. While every god does look different enough visually, I couldn't help but realize that playing with a controller really exposes some of the monotony of Smite's gameplay. For the most part, you're going to be holding down RT, firing off a boring series of auto-attacks. Although it is easy to pickup, it's important to realize that although it may look like it, Smite isn't a full-on action game, and that abilities move rather slowly in the grand scheme of things. In a PC MOBA clicking can often keep you constantly engaged as you're always figuring out the best position possible, but Smite can feel sluggish by compa?rison. For those of you who don't enjoy the genre on PC, this may be the game for you.

It also doesn't hel?p that a lot of abilities tend to blend together, and in one particular session, I played three gods that basically had the exact same attacks, just with slightly different animations. Since you're leveling up the same abilities each time without an option to take new ones, you're going to want to switch gods often to keep things fresh. If you really want t?o go all in, you can buy the Founder's Pack for $30, which grants you access to every current and future god.

It's a pretty great deal as you're essentially "buying out" the game, but unfortunately it's only available until the end of the month. Outside of that, you're left with a rather generous free rotation of 11 cha?racters per week, and an assortment of boosters, items, skins, emotes, and icons. The game is heavily monetized and many things must be purchased with premium currency, but the Founder's Pack and most of what's on offer is fair.

There's also a few issues inherent to the Xbox One version of the game. For starters, no Cross-Play capabilities with the PC edition really sucks. Also, Hi-Rez is only offering up account progress transfers for a limited time, one way to the Xbox One, and it's just that -- a progress transfer. Note that experience levels and m??ost of your content will be ported over, but not everything (Gems, mastery levels, and any stats or activities aren't eligible). It's also unfortunate that there's no inherent keyboard support (like many PS4 games). Based on my experience, nearly every player is content on playing without any form of communication, which, as many know, can be a kiss of death in a MOBA.

SMITE is a fine game and a great choice for folks who may not spend a lo??t of time on their PC, but there are a number of shortcomings present in both editions that prevent me from playing it as much as some of its competitors. Still, it's a perfect starting point if you're looking to get into the genre, especially with the intuitive controller scheme.

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It launches on Xbox One next week

If you're into Smite on Xbox One and want access to every current and future character in the game, you might want to start thinking about buying the Founder's Pack soon. Hi-Rez has announced that the $30 bundle will be removed after August 31, as well as the ability to merge accounts from the PC.

Smite will be formally released on Xbox One on August 19, following a lengthy (and successful) alpha and beta period. Expect our review?? next ??week.

Smite [Smite Game]

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Here's how to get the voice pack

Hercules: The Legendary Journeys star Kevin Sorbo has lent his voice to Hi-Rez Studios' mythology-themed MOBA Smite. How this collaboration didn't h??appen sooner, I'm not sure.

Before crying "disappointed!" over microtransactions, note that the content is free if you win 10 matches of Smite during August. Do that, and you'll receive Hercu??les as a playable character, the Retro Herc Skin, and the Kevin Sorbo voice pack. Stay cool and you'??ll get there.

I used to love the TV show as a kid,?? but I'm guessing it h?asn't aged well. I dare not find out.

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You just need Xbox Live Gold

Thanks to its third-person gameplay and familiar mythological characters, SMITE was one of the few MOBAs to win me over. That was years ago, and I've long since lost interest. But now that the game's closed beta on Xbox One has opened up, I think curiosity migh?t just get the better of me.

As before, PC players can link their accounts to claim a free Zeus skin and also use a one-time merge to copy "select progress and items" over to SMITE's Xbox One version. Your accomplishments in the beta will transfer???? to the full game when it releases later this summer.

I'm looking over the updated character lineup now and, wow, it sure has grown. There's a squirrel!

SMITE [Xbox]

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Awww....aaaaaghhh

SMITE is still trucking along for the long haul on PC and with the Xbox One beta, and developer Hi-Rez Studios has just revealed the newest god -- Ratatoskr. In case you're wonderin??g, yes, that cute little cr??itter is a real Norse god, functionally similar to Hermes in Greek mythology. 

Ratatoskr's attacks are all based around his acorn item, which can be customized to change his abilities. I'll definitely be trying him out soon enough while I fit my SMITE sessions in with League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm.

Ratatoskr [Hi-Rez Studios]

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Oh goody! Gems! My favourite!

Hi-Rez’s free-to-play MOBA Smite is now in closed beta on Xbox One. If you want it, you can sign up for it here. While being retooled to fit better with a controller, the game’s also had a? few updates from its Xbox One alpha.

Most notable of these updates, the in-game marketplace has now been added, allowing players to buy new playable characters and costumes using gems. Gems are the game’s currency that you buy with your real cash, because just charging real money is absolutely unthinkable.

Also new is the Founder’s Pack: a way?? to buy in to the beta for $29.99/£20.99. The Founder’s Pack really makes it more of a semi-closed or slightly ajar beta than a closed one if you think about it. You get the beta access, every available character, every cha?racter that will be made available in the future, 400 gems, and two skins for Ares and Ymir. Fancy.

PC players, fear not. You will be able to do a one-time copy of your progress in the PC version over to the Xbox One version, and doing so will nab you a skin for Zeus ??in both versions. 

Hi-Rez has been making free-to-play games for a while, but it's really going full steam ahead with Smite, and that seems to be working out well for them. Remember Tribes Ascend? Yeah, neither does Hi-Rez, unfortunately.

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Open chests to contribute

Hi-Rez Studios has just sent over word that they will be contributing to the efforts to aid Nepal, following Ubisoft, CCP, and Bungie's leads. For the price of 400 gems in SMITE, you can buy a chest that will grant you ??access to sk??ins from various countries around the world.

By opening said chest, Hi-Rez will give $2 to the American Red Cross. You have until May 17 to take advantage of this. SMITE is available on PC and currently still in beta on the Xbox One, aiming for a full release later this year.

New in SMITE: Nepal Earthquake Relief Chest [Hi-Rez Studios]

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Account sharing is apparently frowned upon

If you're into the professional SMITE eSports scene you might notice a couple of names you recognise not being around for a little while as five professional SMITE players have just received a series of ba??ns ranging from a few days to a year.

The players in question primarily received bans fo??r sharing accounts with each other and for creating secondary dummy accounts for low-level play.

Tocketty from Enemy eSports received a three-day ban, fourteen-day bans went to Soulshiner?? from?? Enemy esports, Lloydy from Trig, and Vetium from Boogaloo. The one-year ban was handed to Mask from COGnitive Gaming.

Fans wanting to read the full in-depth ruling can do so here.

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Also preview rewards!

When asked on Twitter what to expect in the upcoming Xbox One preview update, head of Microsoft's Xbox division Phil Spencer replied "Preview is going to get interesting in the next few months. The members do a gre??at job with the Quests etc, we'll need it." 

Spencer's tweet could be in reference to the fact that Windows 10 functionality -- including Xbox One and PC cross-play as well as the ability to stream Xbox One game??s to ?your PC -- is coming to Xbox One and surely requires public testing.

To help that process along, it looks like Microsoft is rolling out rewards for Xbox One preview members. Folks who are level six or above should receive a SMITE downlo??ad code via a message from Xbox Live. Preview members can level up by completing surveys and quests in the Xbox Preview Dashboard app.

The SMITE alpha is the first reward to be given out based on levels in the preview program. For those unfamiliar with the game, it's a free-to-play third-person MOBA and it is pretty darned fun. If you didn't get into the SMITE alpha, you can always sign up for the upcoming beta. 

Phil Spencer [Twitter]

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Hi-Rez's MOBA has transitioned well to consoles

There aren't a whole lot of fully featured MOBA games on consoles. While a handful of them exist, some faring better than others, there's going to be a bigger push this year with games like SMITE and Gigantic heading to the Xbox One.

Although I heartily enjoyed my time with SMITE on PC, I didn't stick around for an extended period of time, instead opting to head back to League of Legends and Heroes of the Storm.

That may change when SMITE ?hits Xbox One ??later this year, based on what I've played of the alpha build.

While many of you out there probably dislike the lack of ingenuity when it comes to SMITE's roster, I must admit I still love the gimmick of tapping into existing spiritual and celestial beings. SMITE h??as playable characters representing No??rse, Greek, Roman, Hindu, Chinese, Mayan, and Egyptian mythology, and odds are you'll recognize at least a few faces in the crowd. I'm addicted to scrolling through the little bios for each character, like binge-reading a series of Wikipedia entries. Hi-Rez has done a great job making them their own aesthetically.

For those who aren't familiar with SMITE, gameplay comes in three varieties currently with the Xbox One alpha -- Arena (5v5 all-out combat), Siege (4v4 with two lanes, the most traditional MOBA experience), and Joust (3v3 with just one lane). Assault and Conquest from the PC version are currently not enabled, but the three aforementioned Xbox modes have a "first win of the day" bonus that grants you extra currency. It's a smart move, as it encourages you to boot up the game, relax, play a few matches, then retire for the evening after getting your bonuses. Heroes of the Storm and many other MOBAs have similar practices, but it feels especially at h?o?me on a console for me.

The alpha currently does not allow you to connect your existing PC account (although it is promised for the future) or purchase "Gems" (the premium currency), but it has a decent selection of f??ree characters at the moment, as well as the ability to earn "Favor," which allows you to "buy" characters by ??playing the game. I expect Gems will be sold by way of Xbox Live, and so far, the interface isn't confusing -- all of the cost info is right up front.

Currently the going rate is roughly 400 Gems for $8, and each character in the alpha costs 200. The good news is that you can earn about half of the roster by buying each character with Favor, with ?the earn rate working out to a little less than a week of casual play. It's a little on the high side, but I've seen worse. Plus, the free rotation has been generous so far.

Surprisingly, it controls gr??eat on the Xbox One. Everything is extremely easy to pick up, including movement, aiming, and getting to know all four of your character's abilities, which are mapped to the face buttons. Line targeting and even area-of-effect (AOE) powers are easy to aim using both sticks, and I had very little problem getting my powers where they needed to go. Since basic attacks are all done manually, a controller lends itself well to the action-oriented scheme, and using some character's dodge abilities felt more natural. Having the rumble feature go off when a queue is finished pre-match is a nice touch.

Current??ly, the user interface ne??eds a little work. It's a bit dated, and can stand to look a lot sleeker with its console debut. There are also a few minor issues with the current build, like the lack of indication that you're holding down the left trigger to "prep" your currently equipped items. Often times I'd need to use an item like a speed boost in a sticky situation, and it wouldn't go off because I apparently wasn't holding the trigger correctly.

So?? far the visuals are very smooth, even for an alpha, but this is a testing phase after all so everything didn't go off without a hitch. My first match was rocky and unplayable, constantly lagging and counting back the game c??lock -- I tried to leave, but I couldn't jump into a new game until it was completely finished, which took a fair bit of time. I must say though that nearly all of my matches were very smooth, with little lag involved at all. This bodes well for Hi-Rez considering that it's still early in the console version's life cycle.

If Xbox One owners are willing to take the plunge on SMITE, Hi-Rez stands to make quite a bit of money from daily players. The studio is going to have to stay on its game this year however, as there is plenty of competition as more and more developers are jumping into the space. While SMITE still isn't quite at the top of my MOBA list, I think I'm going to ma??ke an effort to play more when it arrives on the Xbox One later this year.

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From your PC account

I really enjoyed my time with SMITE, and loved the more action-oriented approach to the MOBA sub-genre. The problem is when I get on my PC, I usually just opt to play something else, like League of Legends or Heroes of the Storm. Getting SMITE on a console may change that.

Developer Hi-Rez Studios has announced more plans for the Xbox One version of SMITE, which includes a full playable build at PAX East (Booth #9116). The company has also indicated that it's coming up with a way for PC players to t??ransfer their existing account over to the console, which is great news for those of you who have put a lot of money or time into it.

The closed alpha on Xbox One will begin on March 11.

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You smite have fun with it

You can now sign up for the Xbox One beta test of Smite, Hi-Rez Studios' third-person, mythological MOBA. I'd recommend it to anyone who's curious about the genre but can't seem to get into Dota 2 or League of Legends. Be sure to try Awesomenauts while you're at it.

On the PC front, Smite's $2.5 million World Championship begins? this Friday in Atlanta, GA. Someone's gonna have a real nice weekend with that kind of ?prize pool up for grabs. Good lord.

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It may release in the first half of 2015

Hi-Rez Studios has posted a video detailing their event at PAX Australia over the past weekend, and they're ready to share more information regarding the Xbox One version of Smite.?? Basically, the Xbox One closed beta will start early next year, with current plans to release the game in the first half of 2015.

Hi-Rez notes that the current registered user count for the game in general is over five million, which is impressive for a MOBA you don't hear about every day like League of Legends or Dota 2.

SMITE @ PAX Australia - Day Two Recap [YouTube]

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It's been in open beta this whole time

I know some of you have been enjoying SMITE for quite some time now, but it's been in open beta for over a year. Finally, Hi-Rez Studios has set a release date -- March 25, 2014. Hi-Rez will have a $100,000 tournament in Atlanta to celebrate, the participants of which will ??be based on events that?? start in January.

Currently, SMITE is sitting at 2.5 million registered users, which isn't bad for a MOBA not named Dota 2 or League of Legends. Le?t's hope that Hi-Rez actually su??pports this game after the first year.

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She can't be good news if she's the daughter of Loki

Although SMITE may not have the following that League of Legends and Dota 2 have, it's still a prett??y decent game in its own right. It also keeps on trucking with new Gods to choose from, and the newe?st rework is Hel -- keeper of the dead, and daughter of Loki.

Hi-Rez Studios does a great job with their version of a "Champion Spotlight," in this video, greatly detailing ??Hel's backstory, as well as her in-game mechanics. If you haven't played the game yet, give it a shot!

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A MOBA with some twists

It took me quite a while to come around to SMITE. Despite the fact that it was getting rave reviews from some of my Twitter followers, I was already knee-deep in a number of MOBAs, keeping up with Dota 2 and League of Legends most of all.

But once I actually sat down and spent an afternoon with Hi-Rez Studios' latest, I couldn't put it down. SMITE not only bucks a few ??MOBA trends in a unique way, but it's also a hell of a lot of fun to play.

SMITE's main mode still has three lanes to defend and assault like a typical MOBA, complete with towers and constant waves of minions, but it tweaks the formula just enough to keep the core foundation interesting. For instance, at the end of each lane is a phoenix tower that is a bit stronger than your typical structure, and can respawn after a certain amount of time upon death. Instead of a simple building to destroy at the end as a victory condition, SMITE has? a menacing Minotaur that acts as? a full-on AI opponent that's potentially more deadly than enemy Gods.

Unlike other MOBAs where abilities don't work on any enemy objectives, the Minotaur can actually take damage from them, adding in a new layer of strategy and making for some incredibly crazy final minutes. But the deviations don't stop there. When you think "MOBA," you usually think an overhead RTS style view, but that's not the case with SMITE. It isn't the first in the genre to do it, but the?? camera is actually a third-person, behind-the-back view similar to any number of action games, which puts you more into an individual role rather than a top-down RTS commander viewpoint. It feels natural, and it works very well.

But the typical lane-based headquarters assault isn't the only thing SMITE has up its sleeve, as it also contains Joust (1v1 heads-up play), Arena, Domination (League's Dominion mode), and ARAM (All-Random All-Middle) modes. Out of all of these I found myself enjoying Arena the most, as it's not typically found in MOBAs and emulates a full-on action-game-style brawl. To win, eac?h team has to not only whittle down their opposing team's minions in a c??ircular arena, but also detract score by killing their Gods. Complete with a cheering crowd effect, it's a quick gametype that is constantly shoving you into the action, and I love it.

The Gods themselves are highly varied, even if some of them tend to emulate a Dota or League counterpart. There's something for pretty much every playstyle and bit of mythology out there, including gods of the Greek, Norse, and Egyptian variety. One of my favorite gods is Chronos (SMITE's version of Zilean), who has an ability that can trigger multiple effects ba?sed on an ever?-cycling clock.

Although controllers aren't 100% supported yet (you still have to use a mouse to level up skills and flip through menus), I was able to play most of my matche??s without issues with the right setup. It was a ton of fun, and right there it helped differentiate itself from the cavalcade of MOBAs out ?there. I was also able to do quite well with a controller, even in some of my more competitive matches.

It helps that there's lots humor built into the game, as it breaks up the ultra serious nature of the genre from time to time. Each victory fanfare at the end of a match emulates a modern day dance, complete with a boombox fo?r some gods or other? contemporary conveniences. It's a fun way to see that the game doesn't take itself too seriously, and a few scenes even made me laugh out loud.

To help further accommodate brand new MOBA fans, there are a ton of tutorials in place, as well as mechanics built into the game itself. I love the completely optional choice to auto-level or auto-equip your god at lower levels, as it allows more casual players to just have some fun and not worry about deep theorycrafting. Although you should learn to do these things on your own if you want to reach a higher level, they're not required for the game's casual matchmaking matches, and that's a great thing -- accessibility in MOBAs is often their weakest element. SMITE also has a practice mode tha??t pits you against one other AI opponent in one lane, wh?ich is perfect for acclimating yourself to each god.

SMITE is also free-to-play, and like League of Legends, it's a pretty fair means of monetization. Free gods cycle through at certain intervals, and if you want, you can spend in-game currency for more gods, or real money on costumes and other extras. You can still play just about every game mode out there without issues, and with the variety of gods on offer it'll take you a long while to get bored. It's a bit odd that the user interface and website look like they were ripped directly from Riot Games' League of Legends, but thankful??ly the game stands on its own merits at the end of the day.

I was pleasantly surprised by SMITE. It's a game that both equips new players with the tools for success, and contains a high skill ceiling, which is a major design accomplishment. Add on a large pool of diverse characters, partial controller support, and a ton of modes, and you have quite the contender to carve out its own niche in the MOBA space. I wouldn't replace Dota or League of Legends with it, but it's fun all the same. I just hope Hi-Rez Studios continues to support the game longer than, say, Tribes Ascend.

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