Heroes of the Storm

Moderate overall intensity

Highest flag: Spending — real-money purchases

FantasySci-fiStrategy

What's in it

Spending real-money purchases

High

Real-money microtransactions buy heroes, cosmetic skins, mounts, and other visual items; heroes can alternatively be unlocked with earned in-game gold.

Violence cartoon/stylized

Low

Stylized team combat where heroes cast abilities and attack minions and enemy heroes; defeated heroes vanish and respawn with no blood, gore, or dismemberment.

Nudity revealing/suggestive attire

Low

Some cosmetic skins put heroes in revealing or skimpy outfits.

Dark themes mild

Low

Crossover cast pulls in demons, undead, and grim war themes drawn from the Diablo and Warcraft universes.

Occult & ritual occult imagery/references

Low

Diablo-franchise content includes demon summoning and infernal symbols as fictional dark-fantasy imagery.

Language mild

Low

Occasional mild exclamations and crude quips in hero voice lines.

Spending pressure optional

Low

Purchases are optional and cosmetic; heroes are earnable through play, and the store does not gate power behind money.

Who can reach your kid

Voice chatChat with strangersDirect messagesStranger friend requestsReal-money spending

What it is

Heroes of the Storm is Blizzard's free-to-play online team battle arena (MOBA) in which two teams of five players each control a single 'hero' drawn from the Warcraft, Diablo, StarCraft, and Overwatch universes and try to destroy the enemy base. Matches last around 20 minutes and consist entirely of stylized combat — melee weapons, ranged guns, and magical abilities used against enemy heroes and computer-controlled minions, with cartoonish effects and only light blood. There is no sexual content, drug use, or strong language beyond occasional mild taunts. The game is monetized through real-money microtransactions for heroes and cosmetics as well as randomized loot chests, though all core content can be unlocked with earned in-game currency. Because it is played online, teammates and opponents are matched with strangers using text and optional voice chat, where competitive banter and toxicity can occur.

How it's framed

Combat is framed as fast, arcade-style competitive play between iconic Blizzard characters rather than realistic violence; there is no story of consequence, and winning is rewarded with cosmetic progression rather than any depiction of real-world harm.

Details

Developer: Blizzard Entertainment
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Released: 2015-06-02

Metacritic 86critic score (third-party) · out of 100

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