Villains: Robot Battle Royale, Is MarbleX’s New Mobile BR Worth Playing?
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Introduction
When a game introduces itself with “Villains,” you know subtlety isn’t the goal. Villains: Robot Battle Royale is MarbleX’s bold new entry into the mobile Battle Royale space. The game leans hard into outrageous characters, over-the-top robots, and a world where survival is the only law.
I’ve been testing the game since launch on iOS, and the premise is simple: you’re not here to be a hero. You’re a villain competing against villains. And that tone runs through every part of the experience.
If you’re curious whether this new game is worth playing, especially with its Web3 integrations, this review breaks down everything that matters, from gameplay flow to progression to NFT mechanics.
What Is Villains: Robot Battle Royale?
Set on Hellcatraz, a prison planet built specifically for the galaxy's worst criminals, the game drops you into a chaotic battlefield where only the ruthless survive. You control a villain, pilot customizable robots, and fight your way through shrinking zones and enemy ambushes until one player remains.
MarbleX clearly aims to position the game alongside mobile BR staples, but with a twist: villains, robots, and Web3-powered progression.
Gameplay Overview
A Simple Start, Fast Gameplay Loop
The game drops you into a quick tutorial where you learn:
- Basic movement
- Your villain’s special abilities
- How to use robot-specific skills
- Loot and upgrade mechanics
If you’ve played games like Brawl Stars, Survivor.io, or any modern mobile BR, you’ll get the hang of it immediately. The controls feel intuitive, and the pacing is fast. Most matches last only a few minutes.
Maps at Launch
Currently, the game features two maps in rotation:
Hellywood, Lawless Slum. It's map is hexagonal shaped with the focus as if the final duel will be at the center of the map.
Wild Waste, Wasteland of Death. The map has more sproadic placement of objects throughout the map. It's mostly dry land on the left side of the map while large bodies of water at the right side of the map.
Both maps offer:
- High-ground spots to ambush enemies
- Tight chokepoints for close-range brawls
- Water paths where you cannot attack while crossing
- Ample power-ups scattered across the map
The terrain design encourages flanking and mobility. I found it rewarding to use the blind corner to get behind unsuspecting players.
Leveling & Power-Ups
Throughout each match, you’ll find three major power-ups:
- Hellburgers → Level up your abilities
- Gears → Upgrade your robot’s stats
- Shields → Restore or expand shield capacity
This creates a dynamic mid-match strategy: you’re not just fighting, you’re constantly improving your kit to survive late-game battles.
Survive, Win, Earn
Win or lose, you’ll still earn:
- Trophies to rank up
- Gold to spend in the shop
- Notoriety for unlocking villains, robots, and cosmetics
Longer survival = better rewards.
And honestly? The progression loop feels addictive without being overwhelming.
Villains, Robots & Progression
One of the best parts of the game is unlocking and testing new characters.
Villains (30 at launch)
Each villain has a distinctive:
- Aesthetic design
- Special ability combos
- Synergy with different robots
My current favorite is Viper the Snake Empress, who channels a Medusa-style petrification ability that can turn close encounters into instant wins.
Robots (10 unlockable at launch)
Robots function as your “vehicle form,” each bringing a different combat identity.
My pick so far is Cannoneer, a slow but devastating bot that hits like a truck. When upgraded with Gears mid-match, it turns into a rolling battlefield hazard.
Is progression grindy?
Short answer: yes, but in a satisfying way.
Unlocking everything will take time, and that’s by design. A Battle Pass accelerates things, but free players still have a lot to work toward.
Fortunately, there are many events during the launch. I already got a few Villains and Robots just by playing for a few days.
Web3 Integration Explained
One key difference between Villains: Robot Battle Royale and more traditional mobile BR titles is its Web3 layer.
Here’s how it works.
1. Villains as NFTs (Awakening System)
While all villains start as normal in-game characters, you can “awaken” them into NFTs when they reach Level 20.
Awakening provides:
- Upgraded stats
- Blockchain ownership
- Trading ability on secondary markets (e.g., TokenTrove)
The leveling path is:
- Start at Level 1
- Grind to Level 20
- Awaken → NFT with enhanced traits
It’s a straightforward system, and it gives progression real-world value without forcing casual players into blockchain participation.
2. Night Stones (Ranked Rewards)
At the end of each Ranked season, players receive Night Stones based on their placement.
These stones can be:
- Sold on marketplaces for cash/crypto
- Used to further enhance awakened villains
For competitive players, this adds a layer of “play-to-earn, but not in-your-face.” The incentives are there, but not mandatory.
3. Immutable Passport Integration
The game integrates smoothly with Immutable Passport, which acts as:
- A secure wallet
- Account login
- Web3 identity
You also get a free Foxy villain just for connecting it, which makes this a no-brainer.
If you don’t have an Immutable Passport yet, you can create one and redeem the reward immediately. Use my referral link to create an Immutable Passport here.
Final Verdict
Is Villains: Robot Battle Royale worth playing? Here’s the straightforward take:
If you like mobile battle royales with personality, fast matches, and meaningful progression, this game is easy to recommend, especially if you enjoy collecting characters or experimenting with builds.
If you’re deep into Web3 gaming, the awakening system and Night Stones add an extra layer of value.
If you hate anything blockchain-related, you can still ignore all of it and have a solid mobile BR experience.
✅ Short match durations perfect for mobile sessions
✅ Lots of characters to unlock
✅ Optional blockchain perks
❌ Require access to a browser for blockchain interactions
I’m excited to see how MarbleX expands this world in future updates. For now, it’s already one of the more unique battle royales you can play on mobile.
If you have yet to try, use my referral link on mobile to get started!
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