Champions of Anteria (2016)

A MOBA with an identity crisis or an RTS with too little to offer? Champions of Anteria strikes an odd balance that doesn't quite gel and isn't helped by its numerous problems.

Oh, how great it would be if this had been thought out a little better. Unfortunately, the concept of mixing multiple genres into one is not enough to make the end result fun. The main reason why Champions of Anteria failed in doing so is probably because, although it offers city building, campaign map strategy, and tactical ARPG gameplay, it does it without adding any spices to make the dish tastier, and thus, worthy of seconds.

Solid core systems, but poor presentation and technical issues hold it back.

Champions of Anteria is a dull, repetitive, and inconsistent attempt to make a RTS/MOBA hybrid. The strategy sections of the game feel undercooked to the point of being inconsequential to the rest of the game, while the broken AI and repetitive gameplay of the tactical RPG sections offer little that other games aren’t doing better. Champions of Anteria feels like a game made by someone who doesn’t really understand what people like about strategy games or MOBA’s, and at a $30 price, I can’t see recommending it to anyone.

Packaged together, Champions of Anteria is neither awful nor the next best thing in RTS. Instead, it is a worthwhile title that makes a pretty successful experiment into some new RTS elements that I wouldn’t mind seeing in other titles. And although the moment-to-moment gameplay may be underwhelming to RTS fans, I’m willing to overlook janky control issues when the developer takes worthwhile risks.