Although the old Starcraft custom map Aeon of Strife invented the Multi Online User Battle Arena genre, it's safe to say that DOTA defined it. Virtually every single action-RTS that's been released since DOTA's inception was, on some level, derivative of Eul, Guinsoo, and Icefrog's brainchild. It came as no particular surprise to anyone when Valve announced they'd be working on a sequel to the massively popular game mode, which, for many, was the sole reason to buy Warcraft III in its glory days.

After all, everyone's been clamoring for a DOTA 2 ever since it was clear a new genre had been born.  

As a once-avid DOTA player, I'm not ashamed to admit I'm feeling particularly green that several of my friends are in the closed beta, but I've yet to receive an invite. Thankfully, I was able to touch base with a few of them to give you folks an idea of exactly what to look forward to when Icefrog and Valve finally complete their collaborative project. 

From what I understand, the core gameplay is almost entirely unchanged from the original. The battlefield consists of two bases, one positioned at each end. There are three paths (or "lanes") leading to each base, in which computer-controlled armies constantly do battle. These lanes are, in turn, protected by a series of assault towers; taking one of these down early game is, like in the original, nearly impossible. Separating each lane is the jungle, a neutral area filled with a myriad collection of hostile creeps, which can be slaughtered for gold and XP. You know the drill.

For all you DOTA veterans: yes, Roshan will be making an appearance.

DOTA 2 pits two teams of five players against one another. Each player chooses a hero, and dives into battle. What follows is a long, strategic series of battles in which each team tries to penetrate through their opponents' defenses to destroy their base while defending their own. Over the course of the game, heroes can collect gold from killing hostile NPCs or enemy players, which they can use to buy powerful items and artifacts with which to crush their foes. Killing enemies will also yield valuable experience, leveling up your hero and giving them access to new and improved abilities.

Currently, DOTA 2's roster consists of a whopping 68 heroes, all of whom hail from the original title. Valve has yet to add all of the old favorites to the list, but by the time the game hits release, it's more or less a given that they'll all be there; this game is, first and foremost, designed for DOTA fans, after all. It's also a given that there'll be some new faces hitting the battlefield eventually, as well, but we've yet to find out anything about them quite yet. All in due time, as the saying goes. 

Unsurprisingly, DOTA 2's graphics have received something of an overhaul, as have the item shops. Rather than the dated, sometimes gritty graphics of DOTA's Warcraft III, characters are now rather beautifully modeled. The graphics are nothing compared to, say, Assassin's Creed Revelations or Skyrim, but they're very easy on the eyes, just the same.

As far as shops are concerned, the best analogy is that, while the items haven't changed, the format of DOTA 2's shops is akin to the system in Heroes of Newerth; for each team, there's a single shop located next to the spawn point, as well as an "outpost shop" and a secret shop. Different items can be purchased from each shop, naturally, with the most beefy and powerful of items only available in the secret shop.

The mechanics have received something of an improvement as well, as abilities and items are now automatically linked to hotkeys. Oh, and there's also a matchmaking system inbound.

At the end of the day, the best way to describe DOTA 2 right now is that it's DOTA with better graphics, improved mechanics, and an updated interface. A facelift of sorts,  which is exactly what fans have wanted all along.

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