League of Legends

free-to-play, with microtransactions (?)

League of Legends is one of the defining games of the modern MOBA genre, combining strategic team combat with a huge roster of champions, abilities and increasingly elaborate ways to blame your teammates. Two teams battle across lanes, destroy defensive structures and ultimately attempt to reach the enemy base, while players collect resources and improve their chosen champion during each match. Every champion offers a different play style, from straightforward bruisers to characters whose abilities seem to require a small university degree. Its accessible basic objective hides enormous strategic depth, which explains much of its enduring popularity. Whether you love it or avoid it on principle, League of Legends has had an enormous impact on competitive online gaming.

“League of Legends is a fast-paced, competitive online game that blends the speed and intensity of an RTS with RPG elements. Two teams of powerful champions, each with a unique design and playstyle, battle head-to-head across multiple battlefields and game modes. With an ever-expanding roster of champions, frequent updates and a thriving tournament scene, League of Legends offers endless replayability for players of every skill level.” - Riot Games