Earlier this week I wrote about Square Enix hopping onto the MOBA train with their new game, Lord of Vermilion Arena. The game will be 7 v 7 as opposed to the traditional 5 v 5, which should mean that team fights will be incredibly chaotic. Think I’m wrong? This new video showcasing battles proves otherwise.
Here it is with it’s accompanying Google-translated-and-edited-by-me caption (via Siliconera)
LORD of VERMILION ARENA is a new online battle game that fuses deck building and massive online battle arena action. Victory is achieved by defeating the Arcana core which summons an ultra – true to the familiars from the deck you have assembled yourself.
Take that with a kilogram pinch of salt, my translation skills may not be up to scratch. I think that’s the gist of it though.
As if 7 v 7 was not enough, it looks like players will be able to summon monsters depending on what cards they have in their deck (which is an interesting idea actually). As an ordinary MOBA fan, I already know what a nightmare it is trying to balance heroes to their absolute best. One slight change may please or upset fans forever!
Judging from the video, it looks like both characters and summoned monsters will have abilities. I’m not sure to which extent either have, but I do think it will take a good long time for Square Enix to find any kind of decent and fair balance. That and I don’t see the game being beginner friendly at all. They do (for the most part) get their battle systems and such right, so I have faith.
The game will be available in Japan in 2015. There has been no indication that it will come to the west. I kind of hope it does… I’m intrigued to see how it plays.
Last Updated: October 3, 2014
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 3, 2014 at 14:21
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CAE9872
October 3, 2014 at 14:22
…
Hmmm?
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 3, 2014 at 14:26
Refresh for image 😉
CAE9872
October 3, 2014 at 14:30
LOL
hairyknees
October 3, 2014 at 15:00
Hahahaha wtf xD
CAE9872
October 3, 2014 at 14:22
Now what I know about MOBA games is dangerous, but just saying “7 vs 7” doesn’t necessarily make it better. To me the MOBA hype train, came left, came around again, left again…and NOW only does Square jump. Methinks they chasing an elusive thing.
Matthew Holliday
October 3, 2014 at 15:05
i dont know, it definitely has a different target market.
i think with that major difference, it might actually survive in the moba scene.
battleborn and heroes of the storm have the same target market at dota and LoL, but are trying to mix things up so that they could possibly compete, which i think is a mistake. dota is coming up on 10 million active players a month, and we know LoL has that much aswell, if not more(probably more)
thats a massive force to go up against.
square enix are using an established platform, with a concept that is pretty much a mix of any japanese action game and targetting japan / japanophiles.
while I for one wont be playing this game, i can see its merits.
Sir Rants A Lot Llew
October 3, 2014 at 14:34
urrr. MOBA? How about….
https://img0.etsystatic.com/009/0/6306928/il_570xN.438896176_i591.jpg
Matthew Holliday
October 3, 2014 at 14:58
wow, intense japanese flair with a touch of demigod
hairyknees
October 3, 2014 at 15:01
I think just intense EVERYTHING! 😛
Matthew Holliday
October 3, 2014 at 15:08
yeah, was thinking the same, too intense tbh.
if it wants to make it in the moba scene, its needs a little streamlining.
i see so many lights and auras, can you imagine trying to pick out the key targets in a 7 on 7 battle with everything going on?
that japanese BANG effect is awesome for singleplayer, but i cant see it working for multiplayer.
hairyknees
October 3, 2014 at 16:04
Yeah that’s what I’m thinking too. That’s why I said balancing is going to be an utter nightmare O_O