Smite

SMITE is Hi-Rez Studio’s free-to-play MOBA title where you take on the role of an ancient god in a duel for ultimate dominance over god and man alike. With a thriving competitive scene and active support from its developer, SMITE has carved out an impressive niche in the crowded MOBA market.

Players take on the roles of mythological gods and other legendary cultural icons, such as Zeus, Isis, Kali, or Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. Gods fill the typical roles of mage, warrior, hunter, guardian, or assassin, and they can augment their abilities with items purchased during matches. Each god has a basic attack and four unique abilities, in line with their traditional powers, such as Zeus’ mastery of lightning or Sun Wukong’s transformations.

Unlike other MOBAs and their overhead view, SMITE has an over-the-shoulder, third-person look, which sets it apart visually and offers more strategic options for long-range targeting. There are multiple game modes to SMITE, but the most popular is the traditional MOBA-style five-on-five Conquest mode. In this mode, there are three lanes, protected by towers and phoenixes, with the ultimate goal of taking down the opposing team’s titan in their home base. The other areas of the map contain camps of enemies that players can defeat to earn experience and gold to level up their gods and to buy more and better items. And, of course, killing your opponents doesn’t hurt, either.

Other game modes in SMITE include Arena, a kind of team deathmatch; Joust, a limited form of Conquest with just one lane; Assault, similar to ARAM modes in other MOBAs; and Siege, a game mode with a special juggernaut that powers through enemy defenses. Finally, SMITE is a major player in the e-sports scene, with its 2016 World Championships drawing millions of viewers and $1 million in prizes.