Ranking Every Blizzard Franchise

Blizzard Entertainment are already in the history books. Not only has the company produced some of the highest grossing games of all time, but they have also produced many of the most beloved and long lasting. A major reason for this is the fact that Blizzard focuses on the long game: releasing online, multiplayer games which are meant to be played for years on end while receiving continued development in the form of expansions, updates and more.

While it’s hard to put Blizzard’s core franchises up against each other due to their prevalence and diversity, that’s exactly what we’re looking to do today as we rank each of Blizzard’s major franchises.

5. Hearthstone

Starting off this list is Blizzard’s epic deck builder and digital collectible card game Hearthstone, while this is technically part of the Warcraft universe, the game’s identity stands on its own. This deck builder has become one of, if not the, go-to deck builder for gamers. Its careful balancing and incredible depth keep players entertained for hours.
It also has a phenomenal reach, seeing as the game is free to play on PC and mobile; allowing players to even enjoy the game on the go.

The reason it starts off our list is that while it may be one of the biggest deck builders out there, its genre lacks the widespread appeal of other games on this list. Meaning that it’s cultural impact is comparatively limited.

4. Diablo

Quickly slashing towards its third decade in existence, Diablo is one of the most iconic action RPGs out there. In a familiar fantasy setting, Diablo sees you hack your way through hordes of demons and taking down epic bosses in search for powerful loot. Like hearthstone, Diablo has an incredible amount of customisation—allowing players to really find their own play style.

Furthermore, the focus of the Diablo franchise on small party co-op makes it a great experience to enjoy with friends. The latest in the series, Diablo IV, has not disappointed in continuing on this epic franchise.

3. StarCraft

If you know real time strategy (RTS), you most certainly know StarCraft. This game, arguably one of the grandfathers of the modern MOBA, offers up strategic depth as you try and overpower your opponent with hordes of enemies in the tense multiplayer matches.

However, what makes the StarCraft series so notable is its esports scene which exploded throughout the 2000s, mainly in South Korea. Seriously, this was one of the largest games in esports back in the day and has had a huge influence on how modern esports tournaments look, feel and play. It may well be a key reason why South Korea is currently home to many of the best gamers in the world.

StarCraft II is the latest in the series—but even then, we’re talking about a game released in 2010. Yet, if you’re looking for the quintessential StarCraft experience, you’ll want to play the original.

2. Overwatch

Perhaps only rivalled Fortnite, Overwatch was one of the biggest sensations of the latest 2010s. It exploded onto the scene with a diverse cast of lovable characters, a wide variety of play styles and a perfect balance between casual and competitive play. This led to its incredibly widespread appeal, attracting FPS veterans and non-gamers alike.

Since release, Overwatch also became a pioneer of the esports world—introducing many modern gamers to watching esports. The Overwatch League, along with their World Cup and other smaller tournaments, saw players across the globe tune in.

While the release of Overwatch 2 has tarnished that reputation somewhat—due to unwanted changes and many unfulfilled promises—Overwatch will certainly be in the history books as the quintessential hero shooter.

1. Warcraft

You knew this was coming. Seriously. Ask any non-gamer to name 5 games, and World of Warcraft is almost guaranteed to be on that list—well, provided they lived through the late 2000s.

Warcraft still stands as Blizzard’s magnum opus, a game series that boasts rich lore, unforgettable characters and perhaps the greatest MMORPG ever made. While fans of the Warcraft series could spend hours discussing the allure of the RTS instalments of the warcraft series—instalments which even spawned the entire StarCraft series—the most important game here is, of course, World of Warcraft.

This cultural touchstone exploded beyond the screen, making its way into every inch of popular culture—be it South Park, talk shows or simply nervous mothers discussing if their kids should play such video games.

World of Warcraft may be old, but it is certainly gold, still attracting enviable monthly player counts all these years on. Speaking of which, if you want to take your World of Warcraft performance to the top you can buy cheap WoW gold!

Blizzard Entertainment has been one of gaming’s most iconic companies. It has produced everything from RTS games and deck builders to MMORPGs to FPS titles. And almost every time, its games have been a hit. While the last five years have put the company in hot water, due to legal issues and their acquisition by Activision, we’re sure that Blizzard will keep maintaining and developing some of gaming’s best titles for years to come.