I’m going to be honest: I do not like MOBAs. I usually find them slow and tedious at best and completely unbearable at worst because everything moves at such a sluggish pace that they become painful to even watch. Then I heard about “Deadlock,” Valve Corporation’s new game currently in closed beta. I saw that it actually had movement and speed to it, so I decided to give it a try. Let me just say: Valve may have done it again.

Before getting into the gameplay, one of the game’s strongest aspects is easily its theme. Instead of being another ancient or medieval fantasy game filled with typical monsters and creatures, “Deadlock” takes place in a 1940s-inspired setting focused on the occult and Gothic horror creatures such as vampires and werewolves. The aesthetic gives the game an identity beyond just being another fantasy-themed MOBA.

The premise itself is equally strange and entertaining. Two eldritch beings called Patrons are fighting for control of the Cursed Apple, also known as Manhattan. Their solution is to gather teams of dimwits, desperates and deranged individuals while promising to grant them wishes if they defeat the opposing Patron.

This setup creates the foundation for Valve’s signature charm and storytelling, with a large cast of lovable and unique characters. Characters like Viscous, a goo creature trying to save his ocean from something known as The Adversary, or Venator, a monster-hunting priest focused solely on killing the opposing Patron, help the game stand out from others in the genre.

As for gameplay, “Deadlock” definitely delivers on speed. Characters move quickly and with purpose instead of taking forever to get from point A to point B thanks to a universal dash mechanic and movement abilities unique to certain characters.

Unfortunately, that does not stop matches from lasting a very long time, which is one of the unavoidable side effects of the MOBA genre. If both teams are evenly matched, games can easily last more than 30 minutes. While that is not necessarily a bad thing, it could become an issue for players who do not have large amounts of free time.

Still, matches can become incredibly intense and fun once players understand how to build their chosen character correctly. The game is difficult to learn and even harder to master, but at least the process of improving feels rewarding.

There are some issues, however. The biggest problem is balancing. In its current state, a small number of characters are significantly stronger than the rest of the cast.

Matchmaking is another noticeable issue. Right now, players of all skill levels are placed into the same lobbies. That means newer players can suddenly find themselves competing against experienced players who understand character builds, strategies and mechanics far better than they do.

At the end of the day, most of these issues can likely be fixed through future balance updates, something Valve has already been consistently releasing throughout the beta.

If players have the time to invest and the patience to apply for the closed beta, “Deadlock” is an easy recommendation and another strong entry from Valve.