Core loop progress critically depends on utilizing idle progress collection as well as usage of a large number of metasystems built into the game.

Metagame

The core metagame features were clearly inspired by Heroes Charge (which was itself inspired by the China-only hit DOTA Legends). The list below lists an overview of the core metagame features in Idle Heroes.

Character Upgrades (inspired by Heroes Charge)

Variation of Heroes Charge model, slightly simpler model. Tier system. No notion of quality. No skill upgrading.

Equipment System (inspired by Heroes Charge) Simpler item combination variation of Heroes Charge model but includes a separate Blacksmith. Interesting locked slot system.

Tavern (inspired by Asian MMOs) Character mission system requiring different character prerequisites to gain rewards.

Celestial Island (inspired by Heroes Charge) Variation of Advanced Instances, basically having multiple PVE modes that encourage using different characters.

Summon Circle (inspired by Heroes Charge) Free and premium gacha summon, similar to many games including Heroes Charge

Arena (inspired by Heroes Charge) Easier to farm variation of Heroes Charge. No cool down. Skip battle option.

Brave (inspired by Heroes Charge) Trial Variation of Crusade (Survival mode)

Tower of Oblivion (inspired by Summoners War) Non-timed version of Summoners War’s Trial of Ascension

Blacksmith (inspired by Heroes Charge) Variation on Heroes Charge. Ability to upgrade gear items into better gear items. A separate Blacksmith area is used instead of integrated within the character UI.

Casino (inspired by Game of War) Common and Super Casino. Random drops based on wheel spins requires separate Chip currency to spin.

Guild (inspired by Heroes Charge) Better UX version of Heroes Charge with more farming features.

VIP (inspired by Heroes Charge) 13 levels of VIP. Daily bonus, hero slots, hero quest, and many other bonuses depending on the amount of gems purchased.

Monster (inspired by Game of War and Asian MMOs) Acts almost like an additional party member during battle. Deals damage, gives bonuses and can activate some skills like healing.

Similar to Heroes Charge-type games, there are a lot of metasystems! To some degree, it’s surprising that this level of metagame complexity has been relatively well accepted by a Western audience. Traditionally, Chinese-style metasystems have been thought to be too complex and involved for Western players. However, with Idle Heroes and other games like Summoners War and Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, we are increasingly seeing greater acceptance of complex metagame design for Western audiences.

It’s also surprising how the game brands itself as an idle game. Many view idle gamers as typically more casual rather than hardcore in nature. On the face of it, this may seem like a potential audience mismatch between casual idle game players and a game with complex metagame systems. However, this particular combination seems to have been a very good match.

While copying most of the base metasystems from Heroes Charge-type games, Idle Heroes does make meaningful changes and improvements to those systems. The most interesting parts of the metagame include the way Idle Heroes has designed their Character Upgrade system.

Let’s me explain that in more detail next...



Character Upgrade System:

Of all the metasystems, the game really shines when it comes to its extremely deep character upgrade system.

Character System and Upgrading:

First of all, gameplay requires 6 active playable characters each of which has a specific color type (called “Factions”). The color type system follows a typical battle triangle (rocks, scissors, paper) system as shown below: