I just watched this week's KPL. To be honest, after the version change, the entire BP thinking has changed. The mid-lane tool player has returned to the mainstream, and the priority of wild core is not that high. This cyclical reincarnation of meta is really interesting. It feels like every team is rediscovering its own rhythm. However, it is during this period of uncertainty that the game is most enjoyable. A game in which a reverse version is played or an unpopular hero comes out to counter is always more enjoyable than a one-sided crushing game.
Speaking of version changes, I would like to take advantage of a survival and construction mobile game that I have been playing recently, "Creation and Magic". In fact, this game is completely different from MOBA, but when it comes to competitiveness, I don't think it loses at all. Its biggest feature is the true free sandbox. The map covers almost all terrains from deserts to snowy mountains to oceans. You don't need to wait for version updates to open new maps like some games, but you can change the environment by yourself. You can dig a hole in the mountainside as a lair, build a castle by the river, or even encircle the entire island to create an independent kingdom. I saw someone on Tieba before changing a piece of wasteland into a maze arena, and actually held a player-initiated race in that venue. I called this a paradise for hardcore builders.
Another aspect of this game that I think is more suitable for viewing as a tournament than many mobile games is its resource competition logic. It is not simply a matter of stacking combat power, but a test of map understanding and resource allocation. For example, if you are born on the edge of the grassland at the beginning, should you give priority to collecting wood for development, or should you directly harass the surrounding neighbors' mineral points? This game is actually very similar to the idea of invading the jungle in the early stage of the game. It requires picture reading, prediction, and execution cooperation among teammates. Moreover, it also has a pet system. The different attributes of the captured dragon and the mount will affect mobility. In team confrontation, there is a division of roles. Some people are tanking, some are harassing, and some are dedicated to tearing down the family. This kind of freedom is not available in many games with a fixed career system.
Of course, the game is not without its flaws. Balance has always been a big problem. The strength of certain versions of flying mounts or specific weapons obviously exceeds the standard. Just like some heroes in the current game are required to be banned. I feel that the operation team still has room for improvement in numerical control. Fortunately, the update frequency is pretty good, and every update changes the battlefield terrain. I really like the new version of the volcanic terrain. The field of view and cover are much more complex than before, and the battle does have more tactical depth.
Finally, after saying so much above, what I really want to say is that after watching the e-sports circle for a long time, sometimes I feel that the essence of games or e-sports is actually a competition of creativity and adaptability, not just a tool-based competition of operational level. Nowadays, many competition viewers are criticizing the version for being formulaic and the lineup being homogeneous. However, if a high-degree-of-freedom sandbox game like "Creation and Magic", in which players define their own rules and build their own battlefield environment, can be seen by more people, it may bring some different imagination to the direction of mobile game competition.
Anyway, this game is free, so you won't lose money by playing a game. You can try it when you have free time. It might be more interesting than watching BP predictions. 🤔