Games to play if you are a Dota fan
Dota players are a special breed. According to statistics from twitch they have the lowest viewership overlap with other games. There is an argument that this proves how passionate and devoted we are to our game, but it also indicates how difficult it can be to recommend other games to Dota players.
We all need some time off Dota once in awhile. Even the incredibly balanced 7.06 seems less exciting after more than four months and the Dueling Fates update is still some time off. As such, we’ve decided to give our recommendations on what might be interesting to Dota players who need some time off their favorite game.
X-Com 2
Complex, unforgiving and extremely tactical — these words apply in equal measure to both Dota 2 and X-Com 2. Turn-based nature of the latter doesn’t take away from the tension of the experience, while still allowing for exhilarating game moments.
In each mission of X-Com 2 you control a squad of 3 to 7 soldiers, each belonging to one of nine different classes, with their strengths and weaknesses. Each of these classes can be further customized every time the soldier level ups and the soldiers can be equipped with different armor types, have different modifications to their weapon and bring various grenades and utility items to their missions — all in attempt to overthrow the Aliens who have conquered the earth and are now trying to achieve their hidden agenda.
But it is not the tactical depth nor the interesting technological progression that truly makes the game stellar. It is the ability to customise every soldier to look like one of your friends and then watch them die horribly after you’ve made a bad decision and left them exposed.
For the truest X-Com experience, we recommend starting with Ironman on — every mistake is final and you have to live with the consequences of your decisions. Just like Dota...
Darkest Dungeon
Darkest Dungeon is known for being a hardcore, strategic rogue-like experience filled with Eldritch horrors, undead monsters and ferocious beasts. So if you are a Dota player looking for something lighthearted and relaxing, it might be the game for you.
The game is somewhat similar to X-Com: you still control a small group of soldiers, still manage your resources on the strategic layer and try to progress through the campaign by completing missions. What is different is the setting and the presentation: while X-Com 2 is a futuristic AAA title with all the polish and gloss, Darkest Dungeon is indie to its core. What it pays in terms of presentation, however, is made up for in terms of its mechanics. At least for some people.
The opening paragraph was a bit of a joke — in reality the game will almost definitely make you think hard and stress out about every move you make. It being an indie project allowed the designers to not bother themselves with what sells best among the broader audience and fully concentrate on their niche of devoted, strategic players. The game is hard, it has an eerie atmosphere and the narration is beautiful — mocking, encouraging and creeping you out all at the same time.
It is not a game for everyone, but of all types of gamers out there, Dota players are probably the ones that can appreciate the beauty and complexity of the Darkest Dungeon the most.
Civilization Series
One of the oldest game series in the world recently got its sixth installment and after many years of hard work and dedication it seems the developers have managed to figure out how to make multiplayer work without crashing or desynchronising every five turns.
Multiplayer in Civilization VI works and it works really well, making for amazing, intense matches which last up to 4 hours… For most players it will be a hard sell, but Dota players are used to spending full days in front of their PC, so it might be less of an issue. And it is generally worth it — the game has little random, rewards planning and strategy and allows for smart tactical plays when playing against human opponents.
If, however, you are more interested in playing AI, go for Civilization V instead. Civ VI has some great mechanics and at its core it is a deeper game, but it feels somewhat barebones, compared to Civ V. It also has some of the worst AIs, if you are a competitive player. The AI in Civ VI is there to entertain you and make you feel immersed with its agendas and roleplay. When it comes to actually playing the game, it is a bit of a pushover even on Deity. Civ V AI is a lot smarter and continues being a military threat for the most of the game, while making adequate attempts at winning by other means.
Playerunknown’s Battlegrounds
This “Flavor of the Month” game actually seems to be here to stay. Battle Royale-type of games are not a new concept, but for the first time it is done mostly right, creating novel and interesting scenarios over and over again, courtesy of its mostly sandbox approach to how you play.
It is also one of the few games where anything you can unlock is strictly cosmetic — there are no pay to win elements (just like Dota), no stats to acquire (just like Dota) and generally no ways of getting an advantage over your opponent outside of the game itself.
Matches are quick, fast-paced and once you are out, no one stops you from finding the next one. They are also a lot more fun if you are playing with a group of friends in a team deathmatch — you will still probably need to carry that one friend who you like, but hate playing with, but the issue won’t be as obvious in a shooter game with a rather low skill floor. While it is much easier to get into PUBG, there is a certain degree of difficulty and learning that makes the game interesting. Knowing the terrain, all types of weapons and ammunitions and even learning the sound of every weapon can heavily impact your gameplay for the better, a progress that feels very rewarding.
PUBG FailFish
Age of empires 2 HD is a nice one aswell, although since its a classical RTS, it requires a bit more macromanagment ( your every game will be like controling 30 meepos)
I've played all these games, come back to dota very quickly.. Other games just aren't fun relative to dota.
Dota2 player base is dying due to the lack of updates.
Play LoL guys, one of the best dota alternative...
I think many dota players also play dark souls. No?
nice nice :)
Would definitely recommend Xcom 2 with the War of the Chosen expansion.
binding of isaac :D
the witcher 3 is perfect when I'm to tired to play dota
cs go xD
This exceeded expectations, I thought it would be just an ad for random new games but these are all games that I find interesting when I happen upon them on Twitch. Good choices. Too bad they're not also free
I agree with harooooo as another game choice.
A game I would highly recommend that I do not see here is Rocket League. 5/5
Skyrim better
are all these games free? if not they're not like dota at all since one of the biggest draws is that its ftp
Also one of the better games to invest into ($20 iirc) is Rocket League aka Car football (they call it soccar). Fun as anything especially with friends. Nothing like Dota, but if you want a break, might as well try something different.
I always revert to Football Manager when I'm bored with Dota 2, and vice versa
Civilization series, Lool.
Civ VI has the worst bots ever invented in the history of video games. Divinity lvl is literaly, make 3 soldier in the very begining, survive the first rush, and then wait 200 turn to finish safely the game.
That ia is so dumb as fuck you can literally steal town of enemy at the age of tank, while you are yourself only barely at crossbow.
And for the multiplayer, it was bad enough to have bad start in civ V, in civ VI it's insta loose and you cann't do anything about it... Not to mention how unbalanced some civ are... The only way to have a great game is if the few bad starting spots are given to the few OP civ, and the few good starting spots are given to the trash civ, which basicaly never happen
@matrice
try nqmod or fruitymod for civ V and VI respectively. They address a lot of problems in terms of multiplayer balance and map generation. I've spent roughly 140 hours playing multiplayer battles when Civ VI just came out and it was a lot of fun, with the better player winning most of the time. Also, join the NoQuitters Steam group, if you want to play against better player who don't leave halfway through the game.
Where is artifact in this list?
Xcom and Xcom 2 are some of the best games I've ever played in my life, highly recommend them.
@Chu4Lyfe
I second this.
Games to play, if you are a DOTA fan:
Dota 2
Divinity original sin game series are the best
I recommend Dark Souls, mechanically of course it's very different but it too is really well designed, punishes you for mistakes and forces you to maximize efficiency in your playing.
Age of Empires II is the reason I have my map on the right in Dota
League of Legends.
Try Xcom 2 WOTC on legend iron man difficulty. Then tell which one is harder: dota or xcom?
Try playing League of Legends. Its also a MOBA
Hey KawaiiSocks! Great article but instead you could have speak of ability draft! I've been playing dota 2 for years (8K hours!) and the only way for me to not get bored is to play some abilities draft! I mean i never read an article about it!
Ability draft can be very fun and in the meantime so frustating! You have 4 abilities to pick and you main purpose is to try to get a combo.
Sadly before the game even starts,it depends greatly on the hero model you get:
-Bad models (Crystal maiden or brood are awfull to play).
-Godd models (Silencer for example still get his int steal and it's a range one so it's an op hero).
-Bugged Heroes with 2 ulties ( Ursa, Treant, Gyro, Zeus, Nyx and Naix).
The most annoying hero to play against since the last update is Zeus with rearm because he will just sit in the foutain and spam his ulti...
But even with all this random "luck pre draft", you can still manage to draft some "broken overcheated combo" and that's why i love ability draft:
-Take aim from sniper + Artic burn ww + cursed of avernus Abaddon + dk dragon form
-Enchant totem + sniper ulti
-After shock + storm ulti or bristle quill spray or goo
-Rearm with tombstone and neither wards
I mean the possibilities are infinite and that's why every new game is refreshing! And if you play abilities it's an other way to learn all the differents spells in the game, which will benefit you when you go back to try hard all pick!
PUBG doesnt correlate to dota 2 in the slighest... you just put it there because its the most popular game on steam rn
I would also recommend Dark Sould 3 and Bloodborne for PS4. Dota players seek for challenging games IMO.
@KawaiiSocks NO They don't address anything.
In civ6 they make a lot of point even worse.
In civ5 it's actually a bit better, cause they replace some unbalance by some other, instead of just adding more.
Usually those only adress the biggest bullshit of all of the game, but they didn't even touch everything.
@matrice
Scythia and Sumeria (and maybe Germany) were the only BIG problems of CIV VI multiplayer. The first two could simply rush you out before you even had a chance to respond, the latter had the best simcity ability/district. You could still win against them, but it was unfair, I agree. But that's why multiplayer games in nq group use fruity draft with 2-3+ civilizations banned. I don't think I ever had to play vs. Sumeria or Scythia past the first week, when pretty much everyone agreed on them being OP. A game vs. Germany was also less of a problem, since people just pitted against the German player around the renaissance =/ I'd rather play something less powerful, but something that doesn't put a huge target on your back most of the time, to be honest.
Not bad
Civ5 and civ6 both suck. Real civ ended after 4.
Rocket League is fun and kind of relaxing after playing dota, definitely a good choice for a little break. Dark souls also a good games for hardcores.
I really like civ 5 due to its fun strategy and very large choice of country just like dota 2 and its heroes. But nonetheless everybody hates Gandhi and PA for some reason.
I only enjoy dota and a little bit of portal 2. nothing else works for me :)
League Of Legends
Doom I & II
I suggest Mount and Blade
I recommend Duke Nukem 3D;-)
We need Battle Royal mode for Dota 2 XD
Mortal Kombat XL, Hearthstone, Warcraft 3.
I reckon For Honour, has the same sort of competitive feel about it that hooks me up to the xbox when im not on my computer.