Brawl Stars Review (2025): Still the Most Addictive Mobile Brawler Out There?

Brawl Stars is a multiplayer action game from Supercell, available on iOS and Android. It launched on December 12, 2018, and quickly built a massive following thanks to its fast-paced matches, vibrant characters, and variety of game modes that keep things moving.

What makes Brawl Stars stand out is how easy it is to jump in and start having fun, while still leaving plenty of room for skill and strategy. Every brawler feels distinct, the combat is smooth, and the constant updates make the game feel alive even years after release. It’s one of those rare mobile games that genuinely rewards time spent mastering its systems.

Now, the question poses itself, how does it hold up seven years later? Is it still fun? Or is it a dead game trying to squeeze as much money before it shuts down? Let’s find out. 

Game Overview / Quick Facts 

Developer/Publisher	Supercell
Platforms you can play it on	Android, iOS
Release date	December 12, 2018
Genre/Mode	Online battle arena, action rpg/Multiplayer
ESRB/PEGI	E10+ (Everyone 10 and up)/PEGI 7
Price	Free

Story & Setting in Brawl Stars

While Brawl Stars doesn’t have a main story or campaign, there’s still a sense of worldbuilding behind all the action. Supercell has built what fans call the “Brawlverse”, a shared universe hinted at through character designs, themed maps, and the game’s animated shorts.It’s subtle, but it gives the game more personality than most mobile titles. It’s a great thing if you want a game packed with just action and none of the “one hour dialogues” that you can’t skip.

Brawl Stars Gameplay & Mechanics 

Brawl Stars is a type of game that’s just filled with action and with that comes a lot of things that you’ll need to know. Some of them might be of less importance and some might not but in the end, it’ll help with your overall experience. 

Core Combat & Game Modes

Brawl Stars is a fast-paced multiplayer mobile brawler. Matches are short, they usually take around 5 minutes. They revolve around team-based objectives like Gem Grab, Bounty, Heist, and Showdown but also there’re solo modes where you can prove yourself and climb the ladder. 

Combat is simple to pick up, you move with one thumb and attack with the other. While it’s simple, mastering each brawler’s skills adds depth. Every character is unique in its own way, whether it’s a long-range sharpshooter or a heavy melee bruiser. They all have different skill-set and the way they should move also differs from character to character. So it will take some time until you have a decent amount of playable characters under your rooster. 

Character Selection

Brawl Stars of a huge pool of a playable character and if you’re like me, it can get overwhelming. Don’t overthink too much, just pick one randomly, try it out, and if it doesn’t work, move onto the next one. 

As of now, the Brawl Stars features 97 playable characters and that number will keep increasing. They can be separated into 7 different classes. They’re Damage dealer, Tank, Marksman, Artillery, Controller, Assassin, and Support. I bet you already know what class you prefer to play.

I’ve tested every class and the one that suited me the most was Assassins. To be more precise, I love playing with Edgar. It just fits. I know I probably shouldn’t play him as much but there’s something about just jumping out and obliterating my enemies. My win rates with him are better than average, so there’s that. 

Player Progression

Progression comes through unlocking and leveling up Brawlers, collecting power points, and earning coins and star powers. The Brawl Pass system provides seasonal rewards, exclusive skins, and extra challenges, keeping players motivated to log in and play the game regularly. While the grind can take time, the game rarely feels punishing, and every match contributes to progression in one way or another. It’s a well thought through system that keeps the game alive and yet it doesn’t break it. 

Multiplayer & Online Features

Brawl Stars thrives online, whether you’re teaming up with friends or joining random players, matches are competitive and fast. The ranking system and seasonal events provide goals beyond casual play. There’s no story campaign, but the variety of modes and rotating maps keeps each session feeling interesting. And again, the game is completely online, there’re no offline features. 

Controls & Interface

The controls are smooth and intuitive, especially on mobile devices. You can drag, tap, or use dual-stick movement depending on your preference, and the interface clearly shows abilities, health, and objectives without clutter. 

Replayability & Enjoyment

Brawl Stars has serious replay value. Short matches, regular updates, and new brawlers make it easy to jump in multiple times a day. Combat is satisfying and rarely gets stale, though if you prefer story-driven or slower-paced games, it might not hold your attention as long.

Graphics, Art & Sound

Brawl Stars has bright, stylized cartoon graphics. It has warm colors, well built character designs, and smooth animations that fit perfectly on mobile screens. The maps are vibrant and easy to read, which helps a lot in fast-paced matches where visual clarity matters more than detail.

As for the performance, it is excellent across platforms. On mobile, the game runs at a steady 60 FPS, with quick load times. 

The sound design is another highlight, upbeat music that matches each mode’s energy, distinct effects for every attack, and fun little audio cues that make the action feel alive. There’s no voice acting, but the localization is clean and the brawler voice lines add just enough personality to keep things entertaining.

Monetization & Microtransactions

Brawl Stars is completely free-to-play, and you can enjoy everything without spending a dime. The in-game store focuses on cosmetics, skins, and progression boosts, with occasional special offers tied to new brawlers or events.

Supercell has balanced things well, the game isn’t pay-to-win, but spending can help you get things faster or unlock rare looks sooner. It’s nothing that would give your opponent an advantage over you. They’ll just look cooler. 

Brawl Stars Pros & Cons

Brawl Stars is filled with a lot of chaotic matches that are easy to pick up but surprisingly deep once you start climbing the ranks. It’s a great fit if you love competitive action games that don’t demand long play sessions. But if you’re more into slower-paced or story-driven experiences, this one might not grab you for long.

Pros:

• Fast-paced matches perfect for quick gaming sessions
• Wide variety of brawlers with unique playstyles
• Smooth performance and polished visuals
• Constant updates and seasonal events
• Fun solo or with friends

Cons:

• Progression can feel slow without the Brawl Pass
• Matchmaking can be hit or miss at higher ranks
• Some brawlers feel unbalanced after new updates

Final Verdict

Brawl Stars is definitely a game that I underestimated, it brought me more joy than I expected. It’s one of those rare mobile games that manages to stay fun years after launch. It’s perfect for casual players who just want a few quick matches on the go, but it also has enough depth to keep competitive and hardcore players hooked for the long run. 

Final Rating: 4.5/5

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