When we think of amazing computer games, Dota 2 absolutely has to make the cut: it’s one of the top games for players everywhere; it comes out ahead in many competitions; and it’s taken the relatively new world of esports by absolute storm in every way. Check out pretty much any list of the best PC games out there, and you’ll see Dota 2 proudly displayed, with no signs of it going away – and we wouldn’t want it to! Dota 2 has a whole lot going for it, but what has set it apart as such a star in the sky of video games, and how does it continue to hold its own against new releases, even though it now has more than a decade under its metaphorical belt? Well, the answer isn’t super straightforward, so let’s figure it out!
We’re Talking Challenge City
The games that are considered the best out there generally are those that are really hard – and Dota 2 definitely ticks this box. Sure, you can learn how to play relatively quickly if you try (especially if you’re already a gamer), but if you want to be a master? You’re going to be pouring in some serious game hours – likely in the thousands. The game is considered by some to be the most competitive skill-based multiplayer option in existence, and if you want to be really good at Dota 2 (not just mediocre but having fun), you’re going to need to commit – and we mean really commit.
Many players have racked up multiple thousands of hours on Dota 2, just trying to get good. To even be reasonable at the game, you’re going to need to play for well over 100 hours, and at this point, you’d still be considered a newbie by pretty much everyone. Once you start clocking into the thousands, you’re getting a little more seasoned, but you’ll probably still have a long way to go.
Does that sound grueling? Not for a lot of gamers – they love it! The challenge is what keeps them coming back over and over again for just another round, just another battle, just one more win so that they can crack the strategy that they almost mastered last time… and that’s one of the reasons this game has stood up against the years and is still so phenomenally popular with the players.
With that in mind, it’s not really surprising that the esports betting scene surrounding Dota 2 is an exciting, interesting space, with many moving parts and constant shifts in the dynamics. Bettors everywhere are always looking for those dedicated players – those that truly have what it takes to make the cut. If you check out Dota 2 odds, you’ll see some incredible players, fighting for supremacy in the digital battlefield – and fans loving every moment!
Diverse Characters For Everyone
Dota 2 also lives and dies on the strength of its heroes – and in this case, it very many lives. It has a large cast of heroes to choose from, and gamers love this because it gives them the opportunity to find ones that truly suit their style. Want to play a magical tactician? Ferocious rogue? Hit-me-if-you-dare tank? They’re all there, waiting for you to try them!
The best part about that is that it keeps the gameplay fresh even if you somehow manage to get bored with your favorite character – just choose another and you’re suddenly having to create whole new strategies and approaches if you want to win. The character diversity is definitely one of the features that keeps players returning to Dota 2, and one of the things that gets them hooked in the first place. Everybody loves options in the world of gaming – and Dota 2 more than provides.
One of the cool elements about the heroes is that you’ve got “support” heroes and “carry” heroes, and they play very different roles. A carry hero can be great once they’ve leveled up enough, but in the early game, they’re generally weak and vulnerable, and they need their team – only to have the roles reversed once they get tough enough to tank large amounts of damage and deal it right back at their opponents.
This intriguing setup of weak now for strong later (or strong now for less useful later) offers players immediate choices and strategy questions, engaging them with the game promptly. Support heroes have a lot going for them and they’re great to start with, but they do lose power as the game progresses.
Wrap Up
Although Dota 2 is no longer at its peak popularity, that’s not saying a lot when a game has been this popular – while some people point out dwindling player figures, they seem to forget that Dota is still frequently near the top of the 100 most played games on Steam. With daily player counts averaging over 400,000, we don’t think Dota 2 is anything to sneeze at – and hopefully, you’ve now got some idea as to why!