Mobile Legends: Bang Bang is a hugely popular mobile MOBA game. In the absence of main PC MOBA titles, this game was the first choice for millions of players for many years. It introduced dozens of heroes and skins and creating one of the most considerable mobile esports scenes.
This popularity was achieved mainly because Mobile Legends succeeded in providing a real MOBA experience for mobile devices. Matches are shorter than those on PC titles, but this change seems to fit the mobile gaming market perfectly. Besides controls - an on-screen joystick with a comfortable 2-handed grip - most of the genre features are in place. Matches are generally 5v5; each team starts from their corner, and the bases are connected by 3 lanes. Those lanes are defended by several turrets, and to help you push, bases are spawning infinite weaves of weak minions. In this setting, players aim to destroy the enemy's base while fighting the opposing team. The selection of characters is vast, with fighters, tanks, or ranged damage dealers and many unique skills and features affecting gameplay. New heroes are added regularly even after many years, and the old ones are getting reworked to stay relevant. Aside from fighting, the game offers a wide range of utility features, like in-game text and voice chat, emotes, quick messages, and map signals.
While the game is competitive and generally fair, not everyone starts their match equal. Players can unlock & earn emblems to customize the character a little, with minor stats boosts of their choice. There are perks like additional attack points, life steal, or even minor passive skill effects.
In addition to the "classic" game mode, there are several other types of play available. You can select from ranked play (with the draft pick), brawl mode with forced hero pick, or "vs. AI" match. There are also not-so-typical modes, like battle-royale-like survival or "magic chess". The latter is an auto-chess subgame with ML: BB characters, with its own skins, quests, commanders, etc.
In terms of aesthetics, the graphics are simplified but polished. There are several maps to choose from, but where the game shines is the number of heroes and especially skins. Playing many hours with one character could be boring, so with some effort, you'll be able to turn your favorite fighter into someone else. There are holiday or Halloween skins, sometimes beachwear, sometimes robots or pirates - and this sometimes comes with custom skills or even voice acting.
You can play Mobile Legends for free and compete with others without spending a dollar. Still, if you don't want to spend much time grinding emblems - you'll be at a slight disadvantage. Besides that (and small skin stat boost), the game monetizes mainly by granting access to new heroes and cosmetic items.
