The “auto battler” genre experienced a surge in popularity back in 2019 with the release of Dota Auto Chess, Dota Underlords, and Teamfight Tactics. However, the dominance of these titles has made it challenging for new games to break through in this space. Recently, Mojo Melee has emerged as a contender, entering its open beta phase and leveraging NFTs to help fund its development.
At first glance, Mojo Melee delivers impressive visuals; characters are high-resolution, and the vibrant world captures the player’s interest. The game offers two modes – Duel (1v1) and Melee (eight-player tournament), allowing the choice between a quick match and a longer strategic experience. Balancing issues and a lack of progression in the Duel mode hinder the fun for some players, although it’s to be expected in the ongoing beta testing.
While the game follows the basic premise of assembling a team of champions with unique abilities, it currently falls short in the strategy department. Other popular auto battlers often include traits, synergies, and economic strategies, adding layers of depth and complexity. Mojo Melee, on the other hand, appears to have a more simplistic approach, mostly relying on RNG (random number generation) and making victory feel less rewarding.
The utilization of NFTs for funding development is an interesting angle for Mojo Melee. From offering free mints for Polygon NFT collector’s passes to “adoption” sales and in-game chests, it seems the developers have found ways to monetize the game without sacrificing user experience or balance. In fact, if NFT sales continue to help fund improvements, it could bring the added depth that Mojo Melee needs to truly stand out in the auto battler genre.
As it stands, Mojo Melee may not appeal to hardcore gamers looking for a more in-depth experience. However, it could serve as an excellent entry point for those wanting to dabble in the genre without incurring further costs. As a free-to-play, browser-based game, it’s hard to fault Mojo Melee for providing a more casual experience.
Ultimately, the future of Mojo Melee depends on its ability to evolve and incorporate additional layers of depth, which NFT sales can potentially help facilitate. With a little investment and an ongoing balancing process, this newcomer could carve out a space for itself within the increasingly crowded auto battler market.
Source: Decrypt
