What happens if you combine the hero pool of DotA (LoL/HoN) with MMO-style battlegrounds? You get Warhammer Online: Wrath of Heroes the latest Play4Free game to launch by EA and Bioware this coming fall. The major difference from the Dota style games is the three-way team-battles (oh DAoC, how I miss thee…) and the fact that you can switch heroes on the fly.
The game will be free to play, but will probably include premium content available at a fee. Fingers crossed there won’t be too many game-breaking items or characters included in the premium content, as I’m sure you’ll agree, F2P games that end up costing more than a game you’d buy outright is getting to be a bit of a joke – especially when it is required for you to get a decent gaming experience out of it.
Trailer
Graphically it looks like low-res Warhammer Online, probably intentionally so to allow the game to reach a larger audience. From what we’ve understood, the approach they’ve taken to gameplay and graphics means that the game could also port to the world of consoles, which could be interesting.
The game-types to be included looks to be of the capture the flag and king of the hill variety, but it would be interesting if they added some dota style levels as well, with lanes, towers and bases. The 6v6v6 team battles is very exciting to us, and will hopefully be done well enough to warrant putting some time into the game.
We doubt it’s going to a big game-changer, but it should be worth a try – at least you won’t have to go through 80 levels of PvE before being able to play battlegrounds.
The game is looking to launch this fall, and beta should start soon - sign up here.
Further reading
IGN.com – Wrath of Heroes Impressions
