Exciting & Exhausting. And one couldn't exist without the other. The whole premise of the game is that everything is terrible. Everything's out to get you, you're running out of resources at every turn, and you don't know where you're actually going. It works beautifully, forcing you to consider every decision and make terrible sacrifices just to get by. The feeling of finally figuring something out and progressing by basically getting one over on the game is simply immaculate. Everything from the (very triggering) graphics, to the music, to the lore, fits the theme and creates a heavy, yet alluring atmosphere. I personally hate gore and horrors, but thanks to this atmosphere I stuck with the game all the way (didn't get the best ending though). The main characters have just enough personality for you to like them and make up your own silly little headcannons about them. The game was made by a single person and you can certainly feel that at times due to bugs and such, but the attention to detail really makes up for it. The... plot? lore? is quite subtle, which is probably good but I'm not a fan of generally. The way this game is structured also made me miss quite a few things, which I wouldn't have been able to appreciate without the wiki. In general, this game is great and innovative as hell, but it FEELS to me as though it could've been even more.

The video game equivalent of heroin. Coincidentally also the best game ever in terms of mechanics.

The people who play this game are either ghouls or on the unfortunate journey to becoming one. That's not true, actually. There's plenty of cool people that play DotA, the game just tends to bring out the worst out of people at times. You might've heard it before, it has very high highs and very low lows. It takes a shit ton of time to start feeling like you actually understand what's going on in the game, and even then there's just always something more you can do to become better. Most matches are stressful, since you have to navigate a world of uncountable variables and try to find the best way to win while also fitting in with the 4 other people on your team who are doing the same thing. That's why DotA is best when played with friends, because then you can all be on the same page. And when it all works out, it feels really good, like you've cracked a code, made a team effort and surpassed your past self. Personally, that's what's kept me playing for 9 years. This game is really good, but unless you've got unlimited free time and mental fortitude, I don't recommend starting now.