Arena of Valor

 Switch
Metascore
79

Generally favorable reviews - based on 8 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. COGconnected
    Oct 1, 2018
    85
    Aesthetics aside, Arena of Valor sets a very high bar for MOBAs on consoles with its easy control scheme and competitive gameplay. This is as close to the authentic LoL/DOTA 2 experience as a home console has gotten so far, and I’m excited to see the game grow and prosper on the Switch. The MOBA might have found a new home on the Nintendo Switch, and Arena of Valor started it all.
  2. DualShockers
    Oct 13, 2018
    80
    A great appetizer to the greater world of MOBA games. It’s definitely got to be one of the best mobile takes on the genre I’ve ever played, and there’s no doubt I’ll boot it up every so often on my Switch.
  3. Multiplayer.it
    Oct 8, 2018
    80
    Arena of Valor it's an awesome MOBA to play on Nintendo Switch. The new control system it's pretty neat and it works really well with the Joy-Con. If you love the genre you can't miss the opportunity to jump in and start playing right now.
  5. Destructoid
    Oct 5, 2018
    80
    This is the absolute premier way to play the game. Arena of Valor may have been born on mobile, but on Switch is where it feels at home.
  6. Twinfinite
    Sep 28, 2018
    80
    Arena of Valor is probably one of the best MOBAs to get into if you’re new to the series. With its beginner-friendly features and plenty of heroes to choose from, it’s fairly easy to learn your way around and start competing against other players. On the other hand, Arena of Valor offers just enough depth and a spice of variety to entice MOBA veterans to pick up the game on the Nintendo Switch.
  7. Nintendo Life
    Sep 27, 2018
    80
    Tencent is hoping Arena of Valor’s new console port will bring its eSports success on mobile to Nintendo Switch, and with a solid netcode, an accessible and enjoyable take on the MOBA template and a free-to-play model, there’s no reason it can’t achieve that goal in the months (and years) to come. While it does have a few technical issues at launch, they don't detract from the fact Nintendo Switch now has a proper MOBA to add to its library of supported genres. One of the world's biggest games is now on Switch, and that's something to celebrate.
  8. SpazioGames
    Oct 15, 2018
    78
    A true and solid Moba. Technically better than the mobile version its really enjoyable even if it shows its smartphone origins. Perfect Matchmaking.

Awards & Rankings

88
#88 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2018

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.8

Mixed or average reviews- based on 58 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 38 out of 58
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 58
  3. Negative: 16 out of 58
  1. blikzenxx
    Jun 2, 2019
    0
    Matchmaking is really bad. Have a match going for gold, don't be surprised if you're teamed up with 3 bronze and a silver. Or get ready toMatchmaking is really bad. Have a match going for gold, don't be surprised if you're teamed up with 3 bronze and a silver. Or get ready to lose 10+ games in a row because you're teammates are utter incompetent. Very difficult to gets gems for arcana builds. Have spent 400+ hr, not even at level 30 yet, and not enough gems to have a full tier3 arcana page. Controls are routinely sluggish, non-responsive, and laggy. Server latency is major problem on both public and private networks.… Full Review »
  2. AllySky
    Sep 28, 2018
    0
    After my computer could no longer play League of Legends, I've spent years trying to find another moba I could play. Overwatch was quite nice,After my computer could no longer play League of Legends, I've spent years trying to find another moba I could play. Overwatch was quite nice, and Trans-Galactic Tournament was funny and enjoyable, but they were not traditional moba's, and I am quite poor, so I can't afford a new computer. I thought I'd never get the taste of moba game play again, until I heard Arena of Valor was coming to the switch, and boy was I excited. I eagerly awaited its release and downloaded it first thing in the morning, played the crap out of the game these past three days, and here are my thoughts...

    The game play is incredibly unbalanced, lack of variety in heroes and their roles, where marksmen are incredibly overpowered and tanks feel rather useless because they can not soak up the damage or they can but they do absolutely no damage what-so-ever becoming utterly useless in a 1v1, having to solely rely on the team, and some times you can't even do that, some times you'll find yourself initiating into a 1v5, while the rest of your team runs away, cause they're cowards, and there are not enough supports, or variety in the supports to make it worth picking one, as they hardly have enough to contribute to their team, when you can just as easily pick another marksman.

    Also all maps except the Grand battle are complete crap. Valley Skirmish takes anywhere between 3 - 5 minutes to complete, Abyssal Clash completely supports the losing team, by the time the losing team spawns after being pummeled by the better players, they have better gear and end up steamrolling afterwards while we're all dead for 30+ seconds, and turrets have little to no health, so it's a quick and easy win for them, and Solo Battle is pointless. Hook wars is also pointless, and as idiotic and moronic as the creators behind it.

    I feel like they focused too much on graphics and frame rate, and not on the more important stuff, like stats. The game is being played in a different way, so the heroes should be nerfed or buffed respectively, but it's like they don't even care, they could have at least done this during beta, or keep a reasonable mind and prevented ranked matches til they thought the game was balanced enough, but no, it's a cluster****.

    And worst of all, within the three days of playing this game, I have experienced over 30 crashes, forcing me to constantly fight against my credibility score so I can receive rewards, but the crashes, and penalties weigh a lot more then participating in a game, -5 if it crashes, +1 if you play a game, it's gotten too low, and I feel it's a cheap and dirty way to make you play more, either that or this game wasn't only ready for a port, but the game itself was broken from the start and should never have been ported. If the crashes keep up like they are doing, the game will eventually force me out of the game, either through banning me or preventing me from playing any of the pvp content, I would rather save myself the trouble and quit now.

    I can't recommend this game, in fact I urge you to stay away from it. For a moba, this is perhaps the worst one I have ever played, and it would get a negative review, -1/10, if I could, cause there are plenty better moba's out there to waste your time away.    … Full Review »
  3. telekinesis
    Sep 26, 2018
    0
    Total crap, just like mobile version. Another Chinese game with Chinese gameplay, mechanics and cheating monetization trying to make it toTotal crap, just like mobile version. Another Chinese game with Chinese gameplay, mechanics and cheating monetization trying to make it to the west. No actual localization that considers how controls are actually mapped out for western gamers. Makes no sense to have DC characters in it at all.… Full Review »
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