During their recent episode of the We Say Things podcast, Dota 2 casters Troels "syndereN" Nielsen and Shannon "SUNSfan" Scotten shared their thoughts on the mini-games introduced in Act IV of the event The Fallen Crown. The duo reflected on the nostalgic charm of these mini-games and praised Valve's creativity, especially highlighting "The Thorned Throne."
General Thoughts on Act IV Mini-Games
- SyndereN speculated that the positive reception stems from nostalgia, suggesting these mini-games resonate with Dota 2’s older player base (typically over 25). He posed the question whether these games would be as well-received in younger-skewed titles like Fortnite, indicating that players appreciate the mini-games as a callback to beloved older titles.
- SUNSfan agreed that while some mini-games were less engaging, the concept remains intriguing. He praised Valve for innovatively adapting mechanics from older game genres into Dota 2.
Highlight: "The Thorned Throne"
SUNSfan particularly lauded The Thorned Throne, describing it as the best mini-game Valve has created so far. He noted its resemblance to Vampire Survivors, with rogue-like mechanics and an infinite replayability factor.
"‘The Thorned Throne’ is done incredibly well. I’ve played it three times in one day, and though I didn’t win, it’s easily the most enjoyable mini-game Valve has ever produced."
SUNSfan appreciated how the game motivates players to engage with Dota 2 beyond the mini-game itself. The use of The Fallen Crown tokens for progression in The Thorned Throne adds an extra layer of incentive.
Event Overview
The fourth act of The Fallen Crown, released on 8 November, culminates in a final showdown with the queen and introduces the new hero, Kez. Rewards for completing the event include a Juggernaut set, updated Arcana styles, and more exclusive content.
These glowing reviews demonstrate Valve’s ability to merge innovation with nostalgia, striking a chord with their long-standing audience while keeping gameplay fresh and engaging.