Dota 2
Action
Strategy
Free To Play
Multi-player
Co-op
Steam Trading Cards
Steam Workshop
SteamVR Collectibles
In-App Purchases
Camera Comfort
Color Alternatives
Custom Volume Controls
Valve Anti-Cheat enabled
Steam Timeline

Every day, millions of players worldwide enter battle as one of over a hundred Dota heroes. And no matter if it's their 10th hour of play or 1,000th, there's always something new to discover. With regular updates that ensure a constant evolution of gameplay, features, and heroes, Dota 2 has taken on a life of its own.

Developers: Valve
Publishers: Valve
Release Date: Jul 9, 2013
Price (USD): Free
Current Players: 386k

Links:  Steam Store  SteamDB

Very Positive(88%)
strategic depth
competitive environment
free-to-play
esports scene
learning curve
emotional highs and lows
community toxicity
addictive nature
toxic community
matchmaking issues
technical problems
addictive nature
The reviews show a deeply divided sentiment towards Dota 2. Despite praised strategic depth and a competitive environment that some find thrilling, toxic community interactions and imbalanced matchmaking issues are significant concerns. The complex learning curve, noted for its challenge and steepness, is both a point of admiration and frustration. While many players become deeply engrossed and even addicted to the game, leading to some explaining how it impacts their personal lives and mental health, others value the ever-evolving strategy elements the game provides. Overall, the sentiment is a mixture of love and frustration, with the game's strategic excitement overshadowed by community and matchmaking problems, causing a nearly equal share of enthusiastic recommendations and stark warnings.

Positive Points

  • The game's strategic depth and complexity are highly praised by many players.
  • Dota 2 provides a highly competitive environment that is engaging for players who enjoy mastering challenging gameplay.
  • Some players appreciate the game's free-to-play model with no pay-to-win elements.
  • The game is extensively supported with updates and is part of a successful esports scene.
  • Negative Points

  • The game's community is repeatedly mentioned as being extremely toxic, with insults and hostility common.
  • There are numerous complaints about the matchmaking system, including imbalance and smurfing issues.
  • Connectivity issues and technical problems like game crashes and server lag are frequently mentioned.
  • Many players note that the game's addictive nature can lead to negative impacts on personal life and mental health.
  • Mixed Points

  • The complex learning curve is seen as both a positive challenge and a significant barrier for new players.
  • The emotional highs and lows of gameplay are described as both exhilarating and frustrating.
  • While some players find the toxicity laughable or part of the challenge, others find it deeply discouraging.
  • Common Themes

  • Matchmaking imbalance and the presence of smurfs are frequent complaints.
  • The community's toxicity is a prevalent topic across many reviews.
  • The game's high skill ceiling provides both challenge and frustration.
  • Players express both love and hate for the game's addictive nature.
  • Updated 8/19/2025, 12:01:55 AM UTC