Honor of Kings is one of the biggest mobile games in the world. In China it has been a giant for years, and its global version gives players everywhere else a chance to try it. For Malaysian players who already love Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, the big question is simple: is Honor of Kings worth switching to, or at least playing alongside?
In this review we look at how it plays, what makes it different, how friendly it is to free players and how it fits into the Malaysian MOBA scene.
The basics
If you have played any MOBA before, you will feel at home. Two teams of five fight across three lanes, with a jungle between them. The goal is to destroy the enemy’s towers and finally their base. Heroes level up during the match, buy items and grow stronger.
Matches are fast, typically lasting around 15 to 20 minutes. The pace is similar to MLBB, with early skirmishes, mid-game objectives and big team fights near the end.
Controls and feel
The controls are smooth and responsive. Movement uses a virtual joystick, and skills can be cast with tap or drag for precise aiming. Many players notice that skill shots and animations feel very polished. There are also useful features such as quick item purchasing and auto-follow options.
Heroes
The roster is large and includes many heroes inspired by Chinese history and mythology, alongside original characters. Heroes such as Li Bai and Mulan are known for their high skill ceilings and flashy combos. Roles include tanks, fighters, assassins, mages, marksmen and supports.
One positive is that unlocking heroes is fairly generous. Events, login rewards and in-game currency make it possible to build a decent hero pool without spending money.
Visuals and audio
Honor of Kings looks great. Character models are detailed, skill effects are flashy without being confusing, and maps are well designed. Skins are high quality and often change animations and effects. The voice acting and music add to the polished feel.
Comparing it to MLBB
The two games are similar in many ways, and players who know one will learn the other quickly. Differences include hero design, item systems and some map mechanics. Some players feel Honor of Kings has a slightly more polished presentation, while others prefer MLBB’s faster and more chaotic style.
The biggest difference for Malaysians is community. MLBB has a huge local player base, strong esports following and many friends already playing. Honor of Kings is growing, but finding a full team of friends may take more effort.
Esports
Honor of Kings has a very large esports scene globally, with major international tournaments. Watching high-level matches is a good way to learn the game and see what it can offer at its best.
Monetisation
The game is free to play. Money is spent mainly on skins, battle passes and event items. Heroes can be unlocked through gameplay, and paying does not give direct power in matches. As always, events and lucky draws can encourage spending, so it is good to set limits.
Performance
Honor of Kings runs smoothly on most mid-range phones and offers high frame rate options for stronger devices. Network stability is important, as with any real-time competitive game. On a good home connection, matches should feel smooth.
Tips for new players
- Complete the tutorial and practise in training mode
- Learn one hero from each role
- Watch the mini-map often to avoid ganks
- Focus on objectives, not just kills
- Use the in-game hero guides for item builds
Who is it for?
Honor of Kings is perfect for MOBA fans who want a polished experience with generous hero unlocks. It is also great for players who want a fresh start without years of history in another game. If your friends are all on MLBB, it may be better as a second game.
Frequently asked questions
Is it the same as Arena of Valor? Arena of Valor is an international adaptation inspired by Honor of Kings, but they are separate games.
Is Honor of Kings pay to win? No. Paying mostly affects cosmetics.
Can I play with friends in Malaysia? Yes, you can team up with friends on the same server region.
Understanding the map
The map follows the classic three-lane layout. The top lane is often called the Clash Lane, where fighters and tanks battle. The middle lane is usually taken by mages who can roam to help other lanes. The bottom lane, often called the Farm Lane, is where marksmen gather gold with the help of a support. The jungle between lanes contains neutral monsters that give gold and buffs.
Big objectives such as the Tyrant and Overlord appear at set times and give powerful rewards to the team that takes them. Learning when these objectives spawn and gathering your team before they appear is one of the most important skills in the game. Many matches are decided by a single fight over an objective.
Items and builds
Items increase your hero’s damage, defence or abilities. The game suggests builds for every hero, which is helpful for beginners. As you improve, you can adjust builds depending on the enemy team, for example buying magic defence when the enemy has strong mages. The Arcana system lets you set up extra stat bonuses before a match, adding another layer of customisation.
Ranked mode
Ranked mode is where most experienced players spend their time. It rewards consistency, teamwork and understanding of the meta. Like most MOBAs, solo ranked can be frustrating when teammates do not cooperate, so playing ranked with friends is recommended whenever possible.
Final tips before you start
Give yourself a few days to adjust if you are coming from another MOBA. Hero names, item names and some mechanics will be different, and that can feel confusing at first. Play a few matches against bots, read the hero guides and focus on one or two roles until you feel comfortable. Once the basics click, the game becomes much more enjoyable and rewarding.
Verdict
Honor of Kings is a polished, fun and generous MOBA. It does not reinvent the genre, but it does almost everything well. For Malaysian players, the main challenge is that friends may already be committed to MLBB. If you are curious or looking for something new, it is definitely worth trying.