Summary
In the genre of MOBAs, you’re sure to find something that resonates with you. Whether it be tactical, or more action-based, you’re going to find something to scratch whatever itch you have.Deadlockcame swinging hard and caused a considerable amount of hype, which is impressive for a MOBA released in 2024.
With Deadlock causing the current MOBA discourse, you can’t help but to think about Smite 2, which went into Early Access a few months before. On the outside, they look like they would be on a similar footing, but is that the case, or are they being compared unfairly? Let’s put the two games side by side and see how the comparison plays out.
This information is based on both games being in Early Access status.
7Maps: Deadlock
You Can’t Beat A Dynamic Entry Into Battle
With sequel games, especially in map-heavy games such as MOBAs, it’s difficult to toe the line between experimenting with new things and keeping what makes each map unique. Smite 2’s attempt at that line could give people mixed feelings. While looking similar, they’ve added mechanics to the map like stealth and the ability to steal your opponents' buffs, which can quickly cause imbalance.
Deadlock’s maps don’t look too impressive at first glance, but the marriage of the art deco, steampunk, and urban fantasy vibes is sublime, and the verticality you’re able towork into your strategiesby using the rail system takes the gameplay and elevates it significantly. How can you not feel cool swinging into battle from the air?
6Gameplay: Deadlock
Customizing Your Play Style Is Essential
The focus of Deadlock’s combat is shooting. If this isn’t what you want to do, then you might want to pass this game for now. The first impression might have you think it’s anOverwatchclone, especially with its character-based combat, but there’s much more strategy under the hood, and if you just run and gun your way through your lane, you’ll be put down real fast.
Smite, even for the things it’s tried to add to spice up the combat, feels like much more of the same third-person MOBA that Smite introduced, and doesn’t do enough to make it stand out against both Deadlock and its predecessor. Deadlock takes concepts you are familiar with and turns them into something special.
5Character Design: Smite 2
As The Gods Should
Smite hands down has done somewonderful interpretations of the pantheon of godsthey’ve introduced to a larger audience. They care deeply about the characters and world they’ve created, by letting each one shine. That care was carried over from the first game. A marvel, considering that the game had a roster of 130 characters
.
Though thecharacters in Deadlock look goodand fit in well with the world built around it, with some of them, you can’t help but think of characters from other games. Overall, though, they lack the reverence of Smite’s designs. It doesn’t help that many of the characters still have their beta designs and aren’t actually finished, like Viscous and Yamato.
4Story And Lore: Tie
Choose The Flavor Of Your Narrative
Gods aren’t usually the ones at the vulnerable end of the stick, but after centuries of fighting each other, even gods can grow weary. In Smite, all pantheons across the cosmos are being destroyed by a malicious force if they don’t fight back. The story has been expanded into other media, including comics. It’s quite expansive, despite not being the main focus.
The lore of Deadlock is impressively deep. Their worldbuilding explores the relationship between humanity and the various supernatural creatures passing through events known as the Maelstroms.
It’s a precarious place of semi-peace, and while it seems that most folks, both human and supernatural alike, are willing to get along and even run businesses together, there are some who are going to take advantage of the chaos. The game is still in its infancy, so there’s only potential for the story to get better.
3Skills: Tie
Customization Versus Honing
The large roster of gods Smite has to offer gives the player a wide variety of playstyles to choose from, even when they rotate their characters. With that wide selection, it makes sense they kept the customization to a minimum, only four total abilities, and upgraded them five total times per match. Enough to let the player strategize, but not overwhelm them.
However, if you are about that customization life, Deadlock gives you over 30 different universal skills to buy when you’re able to collect enough souls. This means you’re able to build your favorite character up to be a beefy tank or a glass cannon, making the weight of each choice significant.
2Graphics: Deadlock
Looks Do Matter Sometimes
Why is Valve’s Source Engine not spoken of much? You always hear of the big three (Unity, Unreal, and Gadot, if you’re wondering), but the Source engine is never in these discussions, which is a crime. Deadlock is gorgeous and plays as smoothly as it looks. Truly an underrated engine.
Smite 2 uses Unreal Engine 5, and does a serviceable job making all the gods look good. However, the game just looks like a slightly shinier version of the previous Smite, despite having the heavy firepower that the Unreal Engine is capable of. The game doesn’t look bad by any means, but you can understand why some fans may call it Smite 1.5 for now.
1Conclusion: Deadlock
Can’t Wait To See It’s Full Potential
While there’s a lot of development left for both games, Deadlock is the clear winnter. Sure, both games are still in production, so until they are fully released, we can only take what they have to offer at face value. As of now, Deadlock is currently in alpha, and can only be played by invitation. Smite, while also in early access, can be accessed by anyone willing to pay the 30-dollar price tag.
Still, Deadlock is gathering more hype than players can gather souls. Time will only tell who is going to come out on top between the two, and fans will be waiting with bated breath to find out too. Smite still has a chance to completely wow us with a surprise you don’t see coming.
