Before “Fortnite” and “Apex Legends” dominated the scene, there was another game mode everyone saw as a fad: the “MOBA” or Multiplayer Online Battle Arena. I want to highlight the most unique of these and my personal favorite, “Smite.”
What makes “Smite” so great? It isn’t a new game, but it’s one that’s overlooked by so many. In comparison to MOBAs, “Smite” provides variety. One of the aspects of MOBAs that was always so infuriating was their pacing. These games take a very long time and a very methodical process to get going. There is a lot of players bidding their time and waiting for the right moment to make a move. “Smite” still has this feature for the players that want it, but “Smite” includes other modes within it that cater to other players.
“Smite” has another difference that makes it stand out: its camera. That may seem incredibly mundane to most, especially those who aren’t big into gaming, but it’s an incredibly important part of any media. Good scenes in movies and TV can be ruined by poor camera work, and video games with bad camera controls can be unplayable. I’m looking at you, “Resident Evil.” Most MOBAs have their cameras looking top down, as nearly every MOBA is exclusive to PC, so that caters to strategic play using a mouse and keyboard. “Smite” is the first to use a third person perspective, placing the camera behind the player character. This accomplishes two things: It makes a more action-packed experience and makes the game feel more exciting and fast paced, and it allows the game to be played on consoles.
“Smite” is the first MOBA to make its way to the Xbox and PlayStation, and it absolutely shines in that setting. The “Smite” premise is that it’s a “battleground of gods.” It brings in characters from many different mythologies and cultures for players to control. Each of these have their own unique feel and purpose, plus they all look fantastic. With so much variety, it is nearly impossible for a player to not find someone they at least want to be good with.
The biggest reason anyone should give “Smite” a shot is it’s price. It’s totally free. “Smite” is free-to-play without being pay-to-win, as it offers five gods that are always free, one for each class, and five gods that rotate every month. After a reasonable amount of playtime, one can easily earn enough to buy any god they wish. Alternatively, you could get the ultimate god pack for $30, unlocking every god that’s been released and will ever be released. With the amount of care and thought that’s gone into making these gods, $30 for all of them is well worth it, but it’s not a requirement to stay competitive.
“Smite” is a fantastic, free game that has a plethora of unique characters and fun game modes that make one want to come back every day. If you have any console or even a decent computer, it’s certainly worth giving a try.
