Parents' Guide to

Arena of Valor

By Neilie Johnson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Fast-paced arena action has mild violence, lots of fun.

App iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android Free Action Games
Arena of Valor Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Arena of Valor App - Screenshot #1
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Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

Putthipong P.
Putthipong P. Adult
March 10, 2023
age 13+
RoV, short for "Arena of Valor," is a well-known multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game made and published by Tencent Games. It has a vast audience across the globe and is widely recognized in the gaming industry. RoV has different modes such as standard mode, ranked mode, and a few temporary game modes. The game mechanics of RoV are easy to understand, making it simple for beginners to learn. Players can pick from various heroes, each with their unique abilities and traits. The game is played in a 5v5 format where each team strives to destroy the enemy's base. One of the game's biggest advantages is its outstanding graphics and animation. The game has a visually appealing environment with attention to detail that is unmatched. The characters and their abilities are beautifully animated, making the gameplay experience even more immersive. The sound design of RoV is also excellent, with exciting sound effects and music that create a lively and intense atmosphere. The matchmaking system in RoV is another strength. The system tries to match players of similar skill levels to provide a fair and balanced gaming experience. However, the system is not perfect, and players may occasionally be paired with others outside their skill level, resulting in frustrating games. RoV's community is lively and active, particularly in its home market of China, where it has millions of daily active users. The game has also become a well-liked esports title, with several professional teams competing in various tournaments worldwide. The game's popularity has led to an active and devoted player base, making it easier for players to find matches at any time of the day. The monetization strategy of RoV is one of its significant drawbacks. The game is free to play but heavily relies on microtransactions to generate revenue. Players can buy in-game currency, which can be used to unlock heroes, skins, and other items. While it is possible to play the game without spending any money, players who do not may find it challenging to compete with others who do, leading to frustration. This can be annoying for players who prefer a more balanced and fair gaming experience. Another weakness of RoV is the lack of diversity in game modes. Although the game offers a variety of modes, there is still room for improvement. The game developers could introduce more innovative and exciting game modes to keep the game fresh and engaging. In the long run, this would make the game more interesting and attract more players. In summary, RoV is a fantastic MOBA game that offers players an immersive and exciting experience. The game's stunning graphics and sound design, straightforward mechanics, and active player base make it one of the most popular games in its genre. However, the game's reliance on microtransactions may deter some players, and the matchmaking system is not perfect. Additionally, the game could benefit from more innovative game modes to keep players engaged in the long run. Despite these flaws, RoV remains an excellent choice for MOBA fans looking for a new and exciting game to play.
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What’s It About?

ARENA OF VALOR is the Western incarnation of popular Chinese multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game Honor of Kings. Like the well-known League of Legends, the app involves pitting two teams of either three or five players against one another -- the overall point is to destroy the enemy team's base. This is done by working together to destroy the enemy's defensive towers, and that's done by earning gold and experience points, as well as upgrading hero skills and equipment. Games last between 10 and 20 minutes, and each player receives a "credibility" score based on good sportsmanship. (This score affects weekly bonuses.) There's a tutorial and practice mode to learn heroes' abilities before taking them online, and three competitive versus game modes: 5v5 casual and ranked matches and a 1v1 Death Match/duel mode. By playing regularly, you can unlock a roster of unique fantasy heroes with various skills and abilities, including popular DC characters like Wonder Woman and Superman.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (1):
Kids say (1):

Few games have been able to compete with PC-based MOBA games, and few have come close, especially on a mobile device, but this one does it in style. Arena of Valor improves on the control issues that frequently plague mobile versions of these games, making them easy to learn and easy to play. Even better than the control scheme is how accessible the game is. Traditionally, there's a lot to learn if you want to play a MOBA, and it can be overwhelming for new players. Arena of Valor takes the time to show new players how things work with an elegant tutorial mode and a single-player practice mode that lets you toggle damage and ability limitations while you learn to play new heroes. The Casual Match mode also helps with the intimidation factor, as does the default "off" status of chat. If you need to communicate with your teammates, voice chat lets you do it; you can opt to keep it off though, if you don't want some bossy big-mouth ruining your game.

Logging in daily grants useful rewards, and good sportsmanship earns you weekly rewards (players can give each other a thumbs-up after each match). Character build fanatics will enjoy the app's stat-boosting arcana, talents, and skills, and gear hoarders will enjoy the wide range of empowering items. Heroes are interesting, attractive, and varied, and the fact that you can earn many of them just by playing is motivation enough to spend time in the arena. If you've got to have them all, though (two words: "Wonder Woman"), you'll have to spend a few bucks. That said, there's a lot of cool entertainment to be had here, completely for free. So if you've been afraid thus far to take your chances among the MOBA sharks, wait no longer. Arena of Valor offers an accessible means of dipping your toe in the water.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about good sporting behavior. What do you think encourages people to be good sports? Rewards or punishment?

  • Think about the cost of free-to-play games. What's the most you've ever spent on a "free" game with optional in-game purchases versus a paid game?

App Details

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