Dota 2 and games like it

The WhatsNext verdict

If you want a team competitive game where strategy, cooperation, and long-term mastery matter more than immediate accessibility, Dota 2 delivers deeply. Avoid it if steep learning curves and hostile multiplayer communities quickly drain the fun.

What it does best

A skill curve that keeps revealing itself
A strategy game hiding inside every match
Competition worth mastering
Teamwork that turns chaos into control

What might put you off

A punishing learning curve
A hostile player culture

The setup

What you are walking into

Dota 2 is a multiplayer online battle arena video game and the stand-alone sequel to the Defense of the Ancients (DotA) mod. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.