Here it is: Awesomenauts

[Jinxvorheeze]

Awesomenauts is the first 2D side-scrolling entry in the MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) genre of games sweeping the world. Best described as a 32-bit Super Smash Bros. meets League of Legends; Awesomenauts is much more accessible than many MOBA games on the market today. The cartoon graphics fit the combat style well, and the music is well done and differentiates based on the character you choose to play; each one has their own theme song. Characters level based on every one-hundred solar they acquire, solar being the gold of the Awesomenauts world. With solar you are free to go and buy skills from the shop, instead of gaining skills on leveling and purchasing items from the shop like most other MOBA games. Each skill has a variety of upgrades to chose from, but you are limited to choosing three per ability to be available in the shop before the match starts. Upgrades are unlocked by simply playing the game, as are new characters. You win a match by destroying the enemies towers and disabling the drill on the outskirts of their base. As you play you gain experience and unlock content at each "level" you gain. This is also how the game attempts to match you against other players in multiplayer matches. Awesomenauts features three-player split-screen gameplay, which allows you to play against bots or online with your local friends. The online multiplayer is the biggest downfall, with matchmaking pitting you into an already established game; you essentially take the place of a bot in someone else's game.

Pros:
- A good variety of champions to choose from
- Easily the most accessible MOBA game on the market
- Unlockable skills means everyone can adopt their own play style
- Graphics are smooth and characters are all different looking
- The music is very comical and well done
- Leveling system is original and helps keep gameplay balanced

Cons:
- Only three battlegrounds to choose from
- Some abilities take a long time to get final upgrades for
- Online matchmaking has no lobby support, games are almost always in-progress
- Controller options can be difficult to configure initially

Conclusion:
Awesomenauts is the perfect game for newcomers of the MOBA genre, or veterans looking for something different to play now and then. It's a good game for a few friends to pick up and play a couple rounds of, and has enough content and variety to keep you entertained for long enough to easily justify the purchase.
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If you would like a more in-depth look at the game, head on over to my blog for an extended review: http://hereitisreviews.blogspot.com/2013/01/here-it-is-awesomenauts.html

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Cheers, and happy gaming!

[Estrogwen]

I've barely had any time where I've joined a match in progress, it's all about luck

[Jinxvorheeze]

That's lucky, but the fact still remains that having a lobby system like every other MOBA game could significantly improve the online multiplayer. I have almost always been tossed into an in-progress match, like you said, it's all about luck. That said, I still feel being placed into a match which is in-progress shouldn't be a luck of the draw type of thing ever. Thanks for taking the time to read and comment. It's nice to know that it's not an everyone all the time problem. Cheers!