In the ever-expanding realm of gaming, few titles have captured the global imagination quite like League of Legends. Since its debut in 2009, Riot Games’ flagship Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA) has not only set the standard for the genre but has also become a cultural phenomenon. With its intricate blend of strategy, teamwork, and real-time action, League of Legends has carved out a niche that combines competitive depth with accessible gameplay, making it a staple in the gaming community and a mainstay in the world of esports. As the game’s popularity continues to thrive, many gamers are seeking similar experiences that offer the same level of excitement and strategic engagement.
If you find yourself enamored with the tactical battles and character-driven strategies of League of Legends, you’re in luck. The gaming world is replete with a diverse array of MOBA and strategy games that echo its dynamic gameplay and strategic complexity. These games range from classic MOBAs to innovative new entries, each offering unique twists and fresh mechanics that cater to fans of competitive gaming. Whether you’re looking for a game with a rich roster of characters, strategic depth, or a thriving competitive scene, there are plenty of options to explore.
In this article, we’ll delve into some of the best games like League of Legends, highlighting their key features, gameplay mechanics, and what makes each one a worthy addition to your gaming lineup. From established titans in the genre to emerging challengers, we’ll provide insights into how these games stack up against the benchmark set by League of Legends. Join us as we explore these exciting alternatives and discover new worlds of strategy and competition that await in the MOBA universe.
Valorant
Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
Although Valorant, the latest favorite of Riot Games, and League of Legends are two games in completely different lanes, LoL fans will find something to appeal to them in this production. In Valorant, Riot Games has spoken the style we love very well and has produced a great competitive FPS game. If you haven’t tried it yet, now is the time! Riot Games heralded the mobile version of Valorant in June 2021 but there is not an official release date yet.
The Story of the Game: Valorant unfolds in a futuristic world where the aftermath of a mysterious global event, known as the “First Light,” has left Earth with a new energy source and the emergence of supernatural abilities. In this transformed reality, a shadowy organization called the “Radiant” utilizes these abilities to harness power and manipulate global conflicts. The story follows an elite group of agents from various backgrounds, each possessing unique powers derived from the Radiant’s enigmatic influence. These agents, recruited by the Valorant Protocol, are tasked with maintaining global stability and combating the encroaching threats posed by rogue factions and rival organizations. As they face off in high-stakes battles, the agents uncover deeper layers of conspiracy and confront their own personal demons, all while striving to protect humanity from an ever-growing darkness. With its rich lore and evolving narrative, Valorant offers a blend of tactical shooter gameplay and an intricate story that drives its competitive, team-based action.
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Teamfight Tactics
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android
Here is another Riot Games game that League of Legends lovers will love! Moreover, this time there are League of Legends characters in the lead role. With Teamfight Tactics, where you can make your strategic intelligence speak, you can dominate the arena in a completely different way this time.
The Story of the Game: Teamfight Tactics transports players to the fantastical realm of the Convergence, a vibrant, ever-shifting world where heroes and champions from various lands come together for a grand competition. The story centers around the enigmatic and whimsical “Little Legends,” who serve as both players’ avatars and the guardians of this mystical battleground. Each match in Teamfight Tactics unfolds as a tactical duel where players assemble and strategically position a roster of champions from the League of Legends universe, each with their own unique abilities and synergies. As the game progresses, players engage in dynamic auto-battles against opponents, with the ultimate goal of emerging victorious through careful planning and adaptation. While the game primarily focuses on its strategic and competitive elements, the underlying narrative of Teamfight Tactics enriches the experience by weaving a tapestry of intrigue and camaraderie among its diverse cast of characters and the ever-evolving lore of the Convergence.
Legends of Runeterra
Platforms: PC, iOS, Android
We don’t know how you are with card games, but Legends of Runeterra is a pretty good option to step into the genre. Moreover, some of the characters we know very well will take their places in the decks you line up throughout the game and accompany you.
The Story of the Game: Legends of Runeterra immerses players in the rich and diverse world of Runeterra, a land steeped in magic, myth, and conflict. The game’s narrative is rooted in the lore of League of Legends, exploring the intricate stories and alliances of its iconic champions. In this strategic card game, players build decks and engage in tactical duels that reflect the grand battles and political intrigues of the Runeterra universe. The game’s story unfolds through the interactions and rivalries of the game’s factions, such as the noble Demacia, the cunning Noxus, and the mystical Freljord, among others. Each faction brings its own unique flavor and history to the game, with cards that represent the champions, spells, and lore of their respective realms. As players collect and play cards, they uncover deeper layers of Runeterra’s expansive lore, revealing the complexities of its world and the conflicts that drive its ongoing saga. Through its blend of strategic gameplay and rich storytelling, Legends of Runeterra invites players to explore the epic narratives that shape the destiny of this fantastical world.
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Dota 2
Platforms: PC
Of course, Dota 2 is inevitably included in the Top Games Like League of Legends list. Aside from the sometimes heated debates between Dota 2 and League of Legends fans, you should definitely take a look at this timeless classic from Valve. With thoughtful characters, an entire universe, and refined gameplay, we guarantee you’ll be instantly hooked.
The Story of the Game: Dota 2 plunges players into a realm of epic conflict and strategic warfare, set in the fantastical world of the Dota universe. The game’s narrative centers around the battle between two ancient and opposing forces: the Radiant and the Dire. These factions are composed of a diverse array of heroes, each with their own intricate backstories and motivations. The central conflict revolves around the struggle for control of the powerful and mystical “Ancient” structures located within each team’s base. The lore of Dota 2 is deeply intertwined with its gameplay, as the heroes—ranging from enigmatic sorcerers to mighty warriors—embark on quests and battles that influence the balance of power in the world. As players engage in intense 5v5 matches, they become part of a larger narrative where every battle, every strategy, and every victory or defeat contributes to the unfolding saga of this mystical universe. The rich backstory of Dota 2 adds depth to each match, weaving a tapestry of alliances, rivalries, and epic confrontations that define the ever-evolving lore of the game.
Arena of Valor
Platforms: iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch
Unlike other games on the list, Arena of Valor, which you can play on your mobile devices, gives a familiar feeling and opens the door to a brand new experience. It is one of the productions you should try on your mobile device with its carefully created characters, eye-catching graphics and easy to get used to gameplay mechanics.
The Story of the Game: Arena of Valor unfolds in a world where ancient forces and modern conflicts converge, creating a vibrant and dynamic battleground for strategic combat. Set in the fantastical realm of Halcyon, the game introduces players to a universe where mighty heroes, each with their unique abilities and backstories, clash in epic 5v5 battles. The central narrative revolves around the struggle for control of the mystical “Crystal,” a source of immense power that can shape the fate of the land. Players choose from an array of legendary characters, including warriors, mages, and archers, each representing different factions vying for dominance. As these heroes engage in intense skirmishes and strategic warfare, the broader story of political intrigue, ancient prophecies, and inter-faction rivalries unfolds. The world of Arena of Valor is rich with lore, where every match contributes to the ongoing saga of heroism and conflict, offering players an immersive experience that blends competitive gameplay with a deep, evolving narrative.
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SMITE
Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch, PS4, Xbox One, Amazon Luna
It wouldn’t be wrong to say that SMITE is the third-person camera cousin of League of Legends. Moreover, the character pool, which includes gods and mythological characters from many cultures of the world, is enough to make the game even more interesting.
The Story of the Game: SMITE transports players to a mythological battleground where gods, goddesses, and legendary figures from various pantheons clash in a celestial arena. The game’s narrative is rooted in ancient mythologies, including those of Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Norse, and Hindu origins, each represented by powerful deities who engage in epic 5v5 battles to assert their dominance over the pantheon. In SMITE, the divine entities are drawn into an eternal struggle, where they challenge each other for supremacy and influence over mortal realms. Players assume the roles of these deities, harnessing their divine powers to influence the outcomes of these celestial conflicts. The storyline weaves a complex tapestry of ancient rivalries, alliances, and cosmic stakes, with each match contributing to the broader epic of mythic warfare and divine intervention. The game’s unique perspective, presenting the mythological heroes in a third-person view, immerses players in a vivid world where ancient legends come to life, and strategic combat determines the fate of the gods.
Heroes of the Storm
Platform: PC
A Blizzard twist on the MOBA genre! If you like League of Legends, HOTS might be just the thing for you. Because, if you haven’t tried HOTS, which includes the characters we know from Blizzard’s other games, as well as the innovations it brings to the genre, you should give it a chance.
The Story of the Game: Heroes of the Storm brings together iconic characters from Blizzard’s diverse game universes, including Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch, into a dynamic and interconnected multiverse known as the Nexus. The game’s narrative centers around an enigmatic force that merges these worlds, creating a battleground where heroes and villains from each realm collide in epic team-based combat. Within the Nexus, these legendary figures face off in a series of intense battles, each seeking to either dominate or restore balance to this chaotic confluence of worlds. The story unfolds as players engage in battles and quests that reveal deeper layers of this interdimensional conflict, with the Nexus serving as a crossroads for stories and characters from Blizzard’s celebrated franchises. As heroes from disparate worlds are drawn into this cosmic arena, they forge alliances, confront common enemies, and navigate a shifting landscape where the stakes are nothing less than the fate of their universes.
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Ruined King: A League of Legends Story
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X/S
As a Riot Forge game, Ruined King: A League of Legends Story takes you to different corners of the League of Legends universe with a wonderful story. The game, in which popular characters such as Yasuo, Miss Fortune and Braum are our companions along the way, is one of the productions that can make you love the genre even if you are far from the turn-based combat system.
The Story of the Game: Ruined King: A League of Legends Story delves into the dark and captivating lore of the League of Legends universe, focusing on the harrowing tale of Viego, the Ruined King. Once a noble and powerful monarch of the kingdom of Isolde, Viego’s quest for immortality led him to a catastrophic downfall, shrouding his land in ruin and despair. The narrative unfolds as Viego, consumed by grief and madness following the death of his beloved wife, seeks to reclaim his lost love by unleashing an era of darkness across Runeterra. His quest for resurrection spreads corruption, twisting both the land and its inhabitants. Players navigate through a grim and richly detailed world, confronting the aftermath of Viego’s ruinous reign, encountering shattered realms, and grappling with the echoes of his catastrophic ambition. This gripping story intertwines personal tragedy with epic fantasy, painting a vivid portrait of a once-great king whose relentless pursuit of redemption brings both a personal and global calamity to the League of Legends universe.
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Paladins
Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
You can partner with Paladins in epic battles of heroes with different characteristics. The production, which never lowers the level of excitement with its up-to-date structure, is one the best games like League of Legends.
The Story of the Game: Paladins immerses players in a vibrant and expansive fantasy universe where magic and technology coexist in a delicate balance. The game’s storyline centers around the struggle for control over the realm of the Paladins, a powerful group of heroes who defend their world from the encroaching forces of chaos and tyranny. The conflict arises from a rift between two major factions: the Paladins, who seek to maintain order and protect their land from the sinister influences of the Magistrate, a corrupt regime bent on seizing control and subverting the realm’s natural harmony. As the Magistrate’s grasp tightens, the Paladins rally their diverse roster of champions, each with their own unique abilities and backgrounds, to combat the impending threat. The narrative unfolds through a series of epic battles and political intrigues, where players explore the rich lore of the realm, forge alliances, and confront the challenges posed by a world teetering on the edge of destruction. In this dynamic and ever-evolving setting, the struggle between maintaining balance and succumbing to darkness forms the heart of the Paladins story.
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Battlerite
Platforms: PC, Xbox One
Enter the arena and fall straight into the lap of the action! Promising a full-fledged action experience with its different characters, Battlerite also knows how to reveal its own style, although it is one of the games like League of Legends in many aspects.
The Story of the Game: Battlerite transports players to a fantastical world where intense, skill-based combat is the centerpiece of the narrative. Set in the ancient and mystical land of the Battlerite Arena, the game revolves around a grand tournament that pits a diverse array of champions against each other in fierce, strategic battles. Each character, drawn from a variety of mythologies and lore, competes in the arena not only for personal glory but to uphold their respective factions’ honor. The core story unfolds through these gladiatorial contests, where the champions must navigate complex dynamics of alliance and rivalry while engaging in high-stakes combat. The lore-rich environment of the Battlerite Arena is steeped in legends of gods and heroes, with the battles serving as a way to settle age-old conflicts and prove one’s worth. As players dive into the fray, they uncover deeper layers of this intricate world, where each skirmish contributes to an evolving saga of valor, betrayal, and ultimate triumph.
Heroes of Newerth
Platform: PC
If you are one of those who cannot give up the MOBA genre, Heroes of Newerth will be the production that comes to your rescue. Tacticity is also at a very high level in the production, which is put forward by an experienced team.
The Story of the Game: Heroes of Newerth immerses players in a tumultuous fantasy world where two opposing factions, the Legion and the Hellbourne, vie for dominance in a relentless struggle for power. Set in the mythical realm of Newerth, the game’s narrative unfolds against a backdrop of ancient prophecies and ongoing warfare. The Legion, comprising various noble races and heroes, seeks to protect their world from the encroaching darkness, while the Hellbourne, a horde of corrupted and malevolent entities, aim to engulf it in chaos and destruction. The conflict centers around the struggle for control of the powerful and mysterious artifacts scattered throughout the land. As players engage in strategic battles across diverse terrains, they become part of an epic saga where heroism, treachery, and destiny collide. Through their participation, players help to shape the fate of Newerth, contributing to an ever-evolving narrative of war and valor.
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