User blog comment:FullSteamSpacemachine/Heroes of Newerth and League of Legends/@comment-110.32.5.43-20120517113418

You've made a valid arguement that can spark alot of debate, and I can say that it is interesting to see your perspective as both a LoL and HoN fan.

Your first point is definately valid, LoL is newbie friendly due to the summoner leveling system. HoN is less forgiving due its competitive nature, due to the PSR system which is similar in a few retrospects to the ELO system in ranked systems. In addition, LoL doesn't demand that you play competitively, making it fun for pretty much all players, where as HoN can be not as fun due to said demand.

Your second point is one that an up and coming game designer can shake his head at. Graphics don't mean a lot, considering that the lighting within the levels reflects the environment and atmosphere of the respective games. With its serious nature, HoN does dictate for a serious, but grim atmosphere which is evident through the dark lighting, blood spurting from minions if you slay them (though the option to turn that off exists), and grim but vibhrant texturing on the heroes. LoL aims for a brighter aproach to things, with a vibrant colour display, lighting which creates a pleasant yet fun atmosphere and characters which are textured as the characters would feel (not that HoN doesn't do a good job of that).

And your final point of balence is perspective.League of Legends is well balenced and I can say they are improving on releasing champions that are well balenced. Heroes of Newerth or the other hand has a relatively balanced array of heroes. No offence, it is as balanced as LoL, with the occassion champion that is over powered here and the under powered champion there. But you did make a good point that your balance arguement is debatable.

All in all, both games are hard to master. HoN may be vicious to learn and hard to master where as LOL is easier to learn. I'd have to say betweeen the two, I'm starting to sit on the fence.