As a long-time enthusiast of the MOBA genre, I’ve been closely following the development of Predecessor. Recently, I had the opportunity to dive into the ranked mode and gather my thoughts on where the game stands and what improvements could elevate it further.
Initial Impressions of Ranked Play
My early experiences with ranked matches in Predecessor were a mixed bag. While I secured a Gold rank, the journey there felt uneven. The matchmaking system often paired me with players of vastly different skill levels, leading to either too easy or frustratingly lopsided matches. This disparity in matchmaking undermines the competitive integrity that ranked mode should embody.
The Objective Conundrum
One glaring issue is the lack of importance placed on game objectives. Unlike games like League of Legends, which feature critical objectives such as Baron, Dragon, and various buffs, Predecessor’s objectives seem to lack impact. For instance, the Fangtooth objective doesn’t draw enough attention or strategic play from teams. In many matches, the jungle’s engagement with objectives was inconsistent, leading to missed opportunities and easy snowballs for the opposition.
To rectify this, there should be a greater emphasis on objectives. Incorporating dynamic buffs and terrain changes upon securing objectives could add strategic depth. Imagine if capturing Fangtooth offered significant team-wide benefits, such as enhanced structure damage or terrain alterations, making it a focal point for team fights and strategic planning.
Enhancing Competitiveness and Balance
The game’s balance, particularly regarding character strengths and team dynamics, is another area for improvement. Adding objective bounties like League of Legends could help teams recover from deficits and keep matches competitive. This system rewards teams for overcoming challenges, encouraging continuous engagement rather than surrendering to an early disadvantage.
The Crest system, while unique, feels outdated and could benefit from a revamp. The current system heavily favors players who secure their Crest early, creating an imbalance. A more flexible approach to earning Crests, perhaps through varied in-game actions rather than strict farming, could level the playing field.
Technical and Usability Improvements
On the technical front, occasional frame drops and stuttering have been noticeable but not game-breaking. Continued optimization will be crucial as the game progresses. Additionally, the absence of a robust chat system is a notable gap. Effective communication is vital in MOBAs, and a dedicated chat system would greatly enhance team coordination and player interaction.
Implementing a client system, similar to what League of Legends offers, could streamline the overall user experience. This client could handle matchmaking, chats, and game updates separately, reducing in-game loading times and improving performance.
Champion Balance and Gameplay Mechanics
The game’s champion balance is generally solid, though some outliers exist. For example, Terra’s abilities feel disproportionately powerful, with animations that are too fast to react to effectively. Adjusting her animation speeds and balancing her abilities would align her better with other champions.
The recent adjustments to time-to-kill (TTK) and skill animations have been positive, making gameplay smoother and more responsive. However, ongoing tweaks will be necessary to ensure a balanced and engaging experience for all players.
Looking Ahead
Overall, Predecessor is on a promising path. The developers at Omeda Studios have shown a commitment to refining the game and ranked mode, but there’s still room for improvement. Emphasizing objectives, reworking the Crest system, introducing a chat feature (outside of the game), and optimizing technical performance will be key steps in enhancing the game.
I’m excited to see where Predecessor goes from here. With thoughtful updates and community feedback, it has the potential to carve out a unique and enduring place in the MOBA genre. Here’s to hoping for a vibrant future for Predecessor and continued enjoyment for its players.
Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences with Predecessor in the comments below. What changes would you like to see in the game?
Check out my other article on Predecessor.