Brawl Stars

Supercell are one of the major developers when it comes to mobile games, with both Clash of Clans and Clash Royale being major successes, highly influential and platform defining releases. Their latest Brawl Stars isn't quite on that level of success (the +50 Million downloads pales in comparision to CoC's 500 Million), but it's still relatively successful. Much like Clash Royale this game focuses on PvP and it seems like the mobile answer to Overwatch.

The game modes are generally 3vs3, pairing you with 2 other players the defeat the team of 3 opponents. The starting mode if "gem grab" which consists of grabbing gems in the middle of the map, while not getting killed in the process (dying makes you drop your gems). The view is over the top so it makes it easy to view what's happening, but the game also has bushes where players can hide. The controls are with 2 virtual joysticks on the screen (one for moving, one for shooting), and the game is slow paced enough that it controls pretty well. The game focuses around Brawlers which each have different shooting styles and ultimates, which is very much reminiscent of Hero Shooters and MOBA's. The matches are relatively short, making it relatively easy to fit a game here and there while waiting, something that definitely makes it mobile focused.

The game is free to play and as expected there are some P2W elements, but most of the microtransactions are based around cosmetic skins. However you gain some brawler points when opening chests, and when you have enough you enough you can level them up to increase your HP and attack power... of course there is a way to spend money to beat other players more easily, but generally the ladder will pair you against opponents around the same level as you. I haven't got to higher ranks yet, but it doesn't feel so far that I'm being defeated by over-leveled opponents. There's some other game modes to unlock, a mini battle royale mode where 10 players are dropped on the map and the last one that survives wins, and the 3rd one rotates on a daily basis giving you more 3vs3 options. There's a 4th and 5th mode (ticketed and events) but I haven't unlocked them at the time of writing this review, but I don't think they will make me change my views on the game. The Club function (equivalent to clans) feels underdeveloped and there doesn't seem to be any incentive to be in one of them aside from easier to find teammates to play with.. I imagine a Club Wars mode will be coming down the line.

Overall Brawl Stars is a fun game. It doesn't quite feel groundbreaking and it will definitely not have the same impact as both Clash games, but I think it does serve its purpose as a fun shooting game where you can play a few games once in a while. I think Supercell has learned what is required to balance their games, they've slowed down on the P2W elements and have more cosmetic microtransactions. While this game is a little bit more fair, it doesn't quite have the amazing gameplay of some of their previous titles. So a good game, but not the best of its class like the gold standard they've established with their name. I'll be looking forward on what they come up with next now, definitely not easy to always be the best of its kind.