Honor of Kings review - middling mobile MOB
Honor of Kings: A Mobile-Only MOBA with Global Ambitions
Honor of Kings (HoK) has emerged as one of the world’s most popular mobile MOBAs, largely due to its dominant presence in Mainland China. After years of building its audience, Tencent and Level Infinite are now pushing HoK onto the global stage, following a less successful attempt with Arena of Valor. This time, they’re staying true to the game’s origins by keeping it exclusively on mobile, a move that could define its success outside China.
As someone with modest MOBA experience, mostly from playing *League of Legends* on PC and *Pokémon Unite* on the Nintendo Switch, I was intrigued by HoK’s potential. Despite mobile MOBAs being less popular in the West, the game’s reputation made it worth a try.
Unsurprisingly, Honor of Kings follows the genre’s established formula. MOBA gameplay is characterized by certain staples, and rather than reinventing the wheel, Tencent has effectively translated these elements to touch controls. The game maintains the familiar 5v5 format and lane system, albeit with some changes. For instance, the traditional “top” and “bottom” lanes are renamed “clash” and “farm,” which adds a slight learning curve for even seasoned MOBA players. Fortunately, the “jungle” and “mid” lanes retain their familiar names, easing the transition.
One feature that stood out to me was the game’s built-in recommendations. HoK not only suggests the best lane for your character but also offers pre-selected builds. This was a relief, as in my *League of Legends* days, I often relied on external guides to optimize my item choices. HoK simplifies this process by allowing players to purchase items with a tap once they accumulate enough gold. As you gain experience, you can create custom builds, making the system accessible for beginners yet adaptable for veterans.
Character selection is another key aspect of any MOBA, and HoK excels here. The game boasts an extensive roster of over 80 characters, each with detailed lore and connections to other champions. While this variety is impressive, it can also be overwhelming. In traditional MOBAs, a smaller, rotating pool of free characters helps players experiment with different roles and find their preferred playstyle. In contrast, HoK’s immediate access to a massive roster can lead to choice paralysis, especially for those new to the game. As a result, I found myself sticking with Angela, my starting character, rather than branching out.
However, HoK’s home screen UI leaves much to be desired. The in-game overlay is well-organized and optimized for mobile, but the home screen is cluttered with pop-ups for events, log-in rewards, and store bundles. This clutter not only detracts from the user experience but also impacts performance. While the game’s chief designer, Dean Huang, emphasized that HoK is optimized for high refresh rates and graphics on lower-end devices, the home screen’s sluggishness contradicts this claim. On my Tecno Pova 5 Pro, a mid-range gaming phone designed for markets where mobile esports are popular, navigating the home screen is frustratingly slow, though gameplay itself is mostly smooth.
One of my concerns is that Tencent’s mobile-exclusive strategy might limit HoK’s appeal in global markets. Many Western gamers prefer playing team-based games on consoles or PCs. The decision to avoid these platforms, likely influenced by Arena of Valor’s mixed reception, could hinder HoK’s success outside of its core markets. Arena of Valor launched on both mobile and Nintendo Switch, and while its cross-platform availability didn’t ensure widespread success, it did offer players more options. HoK’s commitment to staying mobile-only may alienate potential players who prefer more traditional gaming setups.
Overall, Honor of Kings is a solid entry into the MOBA genre, particularly for mobile gamers. Its polished mechanics, diverse character roster, and streamlined item system offer a compelling experience, especially for fans of the genre. However, its mobile exclusivity and cluttered UI could limit its appeal, particularly in regions where mobile gaming isn’t the primary platform for competitive play.
For MOBA enthusiasts, HoK is certainly worth exploring. Its character designs and cosmetics are particularly noteworthy, and the gameplay is engaging once you adapt to the touch controls. However, for those who prefer their MOBAs on a larger screen or with a more streamlined menu experience, HoK might not fully satisfy.
In the end, Honor of Kings represents an ambitious global push by Tencent and Level Infinite. The game’s success will likely depend on its ability to attract and retain players outside its established markets, despite the challenges posed by its platform exclusivity and UI issues. Whether HoK can overcome these hurdles remains to be seen, but for now, it stands as a testament to the growing influence of mobile gaming in the global market.
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