5 Best MOBA Games of 2022, Ranked

Multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) games are generally one of the most addictive gaming genres. That's because, while MOBAs appear to be simple on the surface, they're actually rather complex. The gameplay may come across as simple but in truth, MOBAs have an intricate combat system, with thousands of variables at play. That's been the long-standing success of the genre, which is displayed beautifully in the five best MOBA games of 2022.

To some, this list won't come as much of a surprise, since these MOBA games have dominated the genre for years, some even over a decade. That's why if you're searching for a MOBA to play in 2022, the ones on this list are a sure bet because they're not going anywhere. So if you're looking for click spamming and button-mashing fun, the five best MOBA games of 2022 will deliver it. All that's left to decide is which one you'll go for. Read on and find out!

5. Mobile Legends: Bang Bang

MOBAs are a pretty low-demanding game, and given how far technology has progressed, it's no surprise that the genre has a large following on mobile. It's actually expanding so rapidly that a list of the top five MOBA games on mobile would be appropriate. As it currently stands, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is evidence of just how popular mobile MOBAs remain. With its 2016 release, the game was one of the first to jump on the bandwagon, and its popularity is clearly evident by its seven million average monthly player count in 2022.

A common misconception is that Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is associated with one of the most popular MOBAs of all time, League of Legends. Despite Mobile Legends: Bang Bang sharing many similarities to the popular MOBA, this isn't the case. It is its own game, produced by Moonton Games, and it has become so popular that even League of Legends: Wild Rift, the mobile spin-off LoL, hasn't even been able to surpass it. By achieving and holding this position for so long, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang remains one as one of the best MOBA games of 2022.

4. Overwatch

When Blizzard released Overwatch in 2016, they did something with the genre that no other MOBA game had successfully done before. That was, put players into a first-person perspective in the online battle arena. The vast majority of MOBA games are top-down or third-person isometric. That's why when Blizzard beautifully orchestrated their first-person MOBA Overwatch, there was an understandable amount of hype for the game.

As a result, the high expectation, execution, and delivery of the game elevated it to a professional Esports game by 2018. Fast forward four years later in 2022, and Overwatch is still a highly-enjoyable and popular title. With its eyes set on expanding the game's current standing. Blizzard is currently working on an Overwatch 2 title, that will hopefully bring the game to a more impressive standing. The first beta test for the game ended just a couple of weeks ago, which has resulted in a lot of gamers returning back to grind their favorite MOBA game again.

3. Arena of Valor

Arena of Valor was released in 2016 and was another title that was early to ride the hype wave for mobile MOBA games. And while Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is showing some outstanding numbers, Arena of Valor is even more impressive. The game is so successful, that six years later in 2022, it's averaging over 15 million players monthly. That's a big pill to swallow, but there's more baffling evidence that shows why Arena of Valor is one of the best MOBAs of 2022.

It may come as a surprise, but the game has become so popular and successful that the Arena of Valor World Cup 2022 has a prize pool of $10 million dollars. And just to make it an even more mind-boggling stat, the overall amount of prize money for the game in 2022 is just under $50 million. With that knowledge, you could make the argument that Arena of Valor is one of the more popular MOBA games of 2022. However, it makes sense once you experience the highly advanced and intense combat of the game's 108 playable heroes.

2. League of Legends

If you've been around the gaming community, you've most likely heard of League of Legends. The MOBA was first introduced in 2009, and it has been the most popular MOBA year after year since then. Which probably has you asking yourself why it's not on the number one spot on our list. Even though the game takes the cake for player count, that's mainly because as complex as the game is, it's also not. LoL's success has always been that it's an easy MOBA to get into, that get's extremely addicting the more you play.

This isn't knocking the game by any means, as it will remain as one of the best MOBA games of 2022 and beyond. However, if you're going to dive into it, you can expect lots of rages and a rather toxic community that comes from its diehard fanbase. With that said, that doesn't take away anything from how the game plays, which is extremely engaging and competitive. Now, LoL has developed itself into a complete game, with hundreds of champions, tons of game modes, and a fairly challenging learning curve.

1. Dota 2

The original Defense of the Ancients (DOTA) was actually a spin-off MOBA for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. Since World of Warcraft was the most played game in the world at the time, it's no surprise tons of its player base gave the game a shot. Well, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree, because Dota 2 isn't just the best MOBA game of 2022, it's also the highest-paid Esport game in the world. This year the Dota 2 Championships, which is known as The International is sporting a whopping $40 million dollar prize pool.

That's far more than any other MOBA game on this list and another reason why Dota 2 is the best MOBA game of 2022. And while the list of reasons why Dota 2 is the best MOBA is long, one of the main pillars is its advanced gameplay. The sheer amount of ways the game and its characters can be played and utilized with one another is barely even fathomable. So due to how tough the game is to get into, it makes sense that it doesn't amass the same player count as League of Legends.

So, what's your take? Do you agree with our top five?  Let us know in the comments below or over on our socials here!