Cyphers
Cyphers is a 3D, third-person MOBA-style MMO built around quick, action-heavy matches. Two teams clash across lanes, breaking through towers and defensive barricades on the way to the opposing base, where destroying the main structure seals the win.
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Publisher: Nexon Type: MOBA / AOS Release Date: May 2011 (Korean CB) Pros: +A distinctive spin on the MOBA formula. +A deep roster of playable Agents. +Several modes to rotate between. +Flashy, expressive combat animations. Cons: -No Western release announced. |
Cyphers Overview
Cyphers sits in familiar territory for anyone who has played DOTA 2 or League of Legends, with two sides pushing objectives and fighting over map control. The key difference is perspective and pace: instead of an overhead view, it uses a third-person camera closer to what you would expect from an action brawler, which changes how aiming, spacing, and team fights feel moment to moment.
Combat leans heavily into close-range engagements, character-specific combos, and showy skill animations. Matches are designed to be digestible, typically landing in the 15 to 30 minute range, which makes it easy to jump in for a few rounds without committing an entire evening. Although the game has had a long run in South Korea, it never received an official Western launch. Later updates also expanded the formula with a dedicated fighting-style mode intended to capture a head-to-head feel similar to classic arcade fighters.
Cyphers Key Features:
- Tons of Characters – players can pick from a roster of 35+ Agents (characters), each with a distinct kit and role.
- Fresh 1v1 Mode – a newer mode adds a one-on-one, fighter-inspired ruleset, with the vibe of games like Street Fighter.
- Unique Item-Based Progression – character power growth is tied to buying items during the match, so economy decisions matter.
- Real-Time Combat & Combo System – action is more hands-on than traditional MOBAs, with manual aiming, dodging, and combo-focused exchanges.
Cyphers Screenshots
Cyphers Featured Video
Cyphers Review
Cyphers is easiest to recommend to MOBA fans who wish the genre felt more like an action game. The third-person camera changes the entire rhythm of play, last-hitting and lane control matter, but positioning becomes more physical and immediate because you are reading animations and ranges at ground level rather than from a bird’s-eye view. That shift gives fights a scrappier tone, especially when melee-focused Agents collide in tight spaces around objectives.
The best moments come from how expressive the characters feel in motion. Attacks are stylish, skills tend to have clear visual identity, and many Agents are built around chaining abilities together rather than simply rotating cooldowns. When team fights click, it has a satisfying back-and-forth: you look for openings, commit to a burst, then reposition before the counterplay arrives. It feels closer to a brawler than a traditional click-to-move MOBA, while still keeping the objective-based structure that makes the genre work.
Modes are another strength. Beyond the standard team-based battles, the addition of a 1v1 fighting-style mode is a smart way to leverage the game’s animation work and combo emphasis. It provides a cleaner environment to learn a character’s timing and spacing, and it is also a nice change of pace if you want something more personal than large team skirmishes.
The biggest drawback is not really about gameplay quality, it is access. Cyphers has remained largely tied to its home region, and there has been no confirmed Western release. That limitation makes it difficult for many players to get in, build a stable community, or rely on long-term support in their preferred region.
Overall, Cyphers is a memorable take on the MOBA framework: fast, flashy, and more tactile than most competitors. If you can play on the supported servers and you enjoy action-oriented combat, it offers a distinct flavor that still feels different from the genre’s biggest names.
Cyphers Links
Cyphers Official Korean Site
Cyphers Wikia [Database/Guides]
Cyphers Developer Website
Cyphers System Requirements
Minimum Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 7 / 8
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 2.4 GHz (Dual core recommended)
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 7600 GT / AMD Equivalent
RAM: 2 GB
Hard Disk Space: 4 GB
Recommended Requirements:
Operating System: Windows 7 / 8 / 10
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 3 GHz (Dual core recommended)
Video Card: Nvidia GeForce 8600 GT or better
RAM: 4 GB
Hard Disk Space: 6 GB
Cyphers Music & Soundtrack
Cyphers Additional Information
Developer: Neople / Joker
Publisher: Nexon
Closed Beta Date: May 2011 (Korea)
Shut Down:
Hong Kong/Taiwan: August 22, 2014 (Gamania)
Mainland China: September 3, 2015 (Tiancity)
Development History / Background:
Created by the studio known for Dungeon Fighter Online and Ghost in the Shell Online, Cyphers puts a lot of emphasis on colorful presentation and fluid, stylish combat. It has been playable in Korea since 2011, but it never transitioned into an official Western release. There was also a regional service for Hong Kong and Taiwan that later ended operations in August 2014.
In April 2015, the game expanded its offerings with The King of Cyphers, a dedicated 1v1 mode designed around a fighting-game approach, drawing inspiration from series such as Street Fighter and The King of Fighters.