Heroes Evolved is a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena game by R2Games. It was released in 2016 for mobile devices. In 2017, it released a PC version on Steam.
However, the PC version was largely overshadowed by the biggest MOBA titles during that time, that eventually they had to close down the PC servers, as many fledging MOBAs during that time were shut down in short order. The mobile version, despite its steadier development and greater longevity, also ends up overshadowed by the other mobile MOBAs. It reached the point where the game reached a stagnant era. R2Games didn't even know what to do about it and was just ready to pull the plug.
And suddenly, NetDragon took over the development of what remained of the game (the mobile version). This brought a new lease of life back to the game as it received steadier updates (and was given more Chinese-flavored heroes). It may not be counted as one of the mobile MOBA juggernauts, but it's still proceeding in a steady phase and is able to sponsor some tournaments.
At one point, NetDragon proposed a beta version of a new version titled Heroes Arise. It boasted a new map, ironically inspired by Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, and several quality of life improvements. Heroes Arise has closed its beta version, but no further news about it has been announced, so the developers are back to developing Heroes Evolved.
The plot is nonexistent; although heroes' lore exists, it doesn't really affect the game much. What's known is that it's an Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny between heroes based on famous figures, or literally the famous figures themselves.
Gameplay-wise, while it took inspiration from League of Legends in the manner of short cooldown and quicker battles, the game also features some elements from Dota 2 which include the 'hero attributes' for the heroes (Strength, Agility, and Intelligence), elevated terrains, a warding system, and the lack of 'Summoner Spell' or its equivalent. Therefore, it's one of the mobile games that tried to emulate Dota 2's system and managed to survive.
There's also a separate 'Adventure Mode', which is a 'Player vs. Enemy' adventure game with a loot system and a separate roster from what's bought for the MOBA matches (the heroes you bought in-game will not be available for the Adventure Mode; you have to re-gather your heroes from scratch with different mechanics), acquired via the gacha system.
Tropes associated with this game.
- Animesque: The game combines traditionally drawn heroes (both from East and West) and some heroes who only appear in Japanese animation style yet exclusively speak Chinese.
- Announcer Chatter: The announcer uses the quotes from Dota 2 when it comes to announcing kill streaks. Instead of "LEGENDARY!" we hear the return of "HOLY SHIT!"
- Asian Fox Spirit: Before the PC version closed down, the game featured a nine-tailed fox hero, none other than the malicious Daji herself. As of the mobile version, they eventually re-released Daji under a new identity: Rena. However, Rena's lore is made to be less malicious than Daji despite looking more terrifying.
- Bruce Lee Clone: Bruce Lee used to be a literal hero in the game. However, he's later replaced with Dragon Warrior, who's more of a downplayed example: He has Lee's fighting style and mannerism, but his outfit is a bit different, and he lacks the Funny Bruce Lee Noises.
- Captain Ersatz: Several heroes are 'almost' carbon copies of existing characters from other media:
- Brady is a less-grizzled Kenshiro.
- Paige is Artoria/Altria Pendragon, the original Saber, with a different hairstyle.
- Condor and Magnolia are references to Yang Guo and Xiaolongnu.
- Dub Name Change: Several Historical Domain Character from China appear, but they get more English-based names:
- Zhuge Liang becomes Damacus.
- Sima Yi becomes Absalon.
- Zhou Yu becomes Pyrrhus.
- Xiao Qiao becomes Lotus.
- Da Qiao becomes Naiad.
- Hou Yi becomes Solus.
- Chang'e becomes Lunaria.
- Jing Wei becomes Naya.
- Excuse Plot: We've got varying heroes with varying backstories, and they all gather in this particular world to fight. And… that's it, really.
- Expy:
- Crystal is a derivative of Crystal Maiden, as both are ice mages wearing hoods.
- Flavia is a derivative of Lina, as both are fire mages who float (and generally are attractive).
- Dragos is a copy of Dragon Knight, the red-armored knight who can turn into a dragon with switchable elements.
- Nightshade is a female version of Anti-Mage, right down to the mage-killing kit, blinking style, and weapon (although she only has one crescent blade instead of two).
- Minerva is a derivative of Ashe, as the hooded attack damage-based archers with similar skills with ice element, although Minerva doesn't go overboard with it.
- Fantasy Kitchen Sink: The game's universe takes place in a world where medieval knights, wizards, dragons, deities, ninjas, Wuxia fighters, Chinese strategists, pharaohs, and many others coexist without any problems.
- Historical Domain Character: The game combines some historical and mythological figures, from both sides of the world. Which includes…
- From China: Guan Yu, Zhang Fei, Zhao Yun, Lu Bu, Diao Chan, Cao Cao (actually Xiang Yu; the real Cao Cao is under the name Hegemon), Xiahou Dun, Hua Mulan, Di Renjie, Li Bai, and Ying Zheng. The same goes for those listed in Dub Name Change
- From Japan: Hattori Hanzo
- From Europe: Leonidas, Julius Caesar
- From Africa: Cleopatra
- From Classical Mythology: Zeus, Poseidon, Ares, Hades, Apollo, and Athena
- From Norse Mythology: Odin, Freya.
- From Chinese Mythology: Hou Yi, Chang'e, Jing Wei (see Dub Name Change), Sun Wukong, and Yang Jian.
- In Name Only: The heroes Cao Cao and Hegemon seem to have their identities switched over:
- Cao Cao is a wandering warrior and battle juggernaut, and his story feels more like the story of the Chu-Han warlord Xiang Yu than the king of Wei.
- Meanwhile, Hegemon has a more regal look and uses more cunning and manipulation, which is more in line with Cao Cao. Hegemon is also usually the title of Xiang Yu.
- Lethal Joke Character: This game has a rather unflattering portrayal of Ying Zheng, being portrayed as a tantrum-throwing kid in an emperor regalia. However, that still doesn't take away from the fact that he's a very potent mage hero who can summon both walls and soldiers from afar to kill his opponents without touching them.
- Mighty Glacier: This game puts an even bigger emphasis on 'slow but powerful' heroes than other MOBAs. Not only is there no such thing as 'Summoner Spells' (therefore, no Flash), there is no item to emulate Blink Dagger. Heroes without mobility will struggle really hard to get to their preferred position
- Monkey King Lite: Averted. Seeing that the mythological characters don't have too many story modifications, it can be assumed that the Sun Wukong in this game is the real deal.
- Ninja: This game features two ninja characters:
- An original kunoichi named Fumiko. She specializes in illusion-based abilities.
- The stealth-based Hattori, based on the famed Tokugawa ninja Hattori Hanzō.
- Revisiting the Roots: A genre-wide example. After a long period of many MOBA using League of Legends as the gameplay mechanic inspiration, this game revisits elements last seen in Defense of the Ancients, such as the three attributes (Strength, Agility, and Intelligence), the base recall and teleport system being combined into one function (the Town Portal scroll, only that you don't need to buy anything), and the lack of the equivalent of Summoner Spells (you're only given the slow heal and teleport/recall). The Announcer Chatter is also based on Defense of the Ancients too.
- Sexy Backless Outfit: Flavia's outfit blatantly leaves her back exposed, and her splash art also has her display said back for all to enjoy. The developers later censored it; now her outfit features a purple cloth to cover the majority of her back. However, the cloth is really tight, almost like a see-through Digital Bikini.
- Speed, Smarts and Strength: A carryover from the original Defense of the Ancients: All-Stars. Heroes in this game are categorized with their main stats: Agility, Intelligence and Strength.
- You Will Not Evade Me: The token 'hook enemy from afar' hero (popularized by Pudge) in this game is Grom.
