If you are not familiar with the series (then you obviously have never met my brother..) it is a hack and slash style RPG based on the novels of Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski. The mobile adaption takes the role playing game- something difficult to perfect on a mobile device, and turns it into a MOBA- a more sympathetic genre for tablets and phones.
Update: August 22nd, 2014 5:02am PST: The closed beta sign-ups are now live for Android only. Go here to the beta sign-up page if you want to sign up to try and get into The Witcher Battle Arena closed beta testing phase.
CD Projekt Red demoed the game at E3 this year, showing off its frenetic, League of Legends, DOTA style gameplay. There are no minions, no grinding, no tedious repetition, just fighting. Lots and lots of fighting. The Witcher website states: ‘Fight, die, and then fight some more.’ The matches will be short and intense, the combat centred around out and out brawling, destroying pillars to deplete the opposing team’s health. There’s also going to be an offline version so you can play when you’re stuck without a connection.
The game will feature eight playable heroes from The Witcher universe each with their own special abilities, unique play-styles, and upgrades. It will also be free to play, with in app purchases designed to be as transparent as possible. The devs state that ‘everything in this game is unlockable for free, just by playing the game. Our system is honest, well balanced and doesn’t keep you playing for ages to unlock something.’ If you do want to grab an item that little bit quicker they will offer them ‘for a reasonable price’- in app purchases will be purely to save time; it all sounds immensely encouraging.
There is enough variety between the heroes that players will be forced to take on certain roles when playing in a team, as is standard in console and PC MOBA games. The graphics look suitably epic- I’m getting a real hankering to try it on Android TV or similar system using a controller and big screen. That said the controls have been built for mobile from the ground up. Skills are simply activated with a tap, and movement and attacking is similarly merely a tap away. No awkward on screen joypads here.
I have a personal hatred for The Witcher universe, purely because my brother harps on about it every other day. However, in the time it took me to research this article I have to admit I am excited for this one. They look to have taken the best of an RPG and translated it into a consummate (as far as we can thus far tell) mobile experience. I look forward to playing it later this year, and be sure to check out our review when it launches.
Official Website: The Witcher Battle Arena
