Since Square Enix teased the game last September, developers Think Garage have been alpha testing and expanding their upcoming F2P MOBA, Lord of Vermilion Arena. You can watch the closed beta announcement trailer above, which shows off the character creation system, the races available to players, and showcases the game’s arena gameplay.
LOVA is a PC game based on the Lord of Vermilion series of card collecting arcade games. The MOBA borrows elements from its arcade origins by having players select six cards from a digital deck. The card system is what makes the game unique, since players aren’t limited to one hero with a specific set of skills; instead, the cards selected at the start of each match are the skills and creatures that players can use in combat.
Players begin matches with a certain amount of mana (monocolor faction decks grant 40 bonus mana at the start of a match), and can collect more of it by destroying towers and killing weak creeps. Mana fuels characters’ abilities. Once players accumulate enough of it, they are able to summon higher level cards or upgrade those they already have in play. Only four minions are allowed at a time, but players can swap lower cost minions with higher cost servants when the opportunity arises.
The MOBA is now entering the beta phase of its development, and Square Enix will be holding a closed beta test from April 21 to 27. The closed beta will introduce a slew of new features and content, including a single-player story mode; The Imperial Capital of Lagastia, a new 5v5 map; a matchmaking system; a new race; new servant cards; more character customization features, including new character voices; crafting recipes; and more.
The game is accepting beta applicants until tomorrow, April 5. Those who want to try the game need only create a Japanese Square Enix Account, and fulfill the requirements and follow the directions contained here.
The original arcade games had plenty of video game and anime crossovers and collaborations. It remains to be seen if that happens with this MOBA.
You can watch 7v7 matches from the alpha testing here and here.
Lord of Vermilion Arena has no official release date yet.
