I just had a couple of games of HoN followed by a game of LoL and I have to say I much prefer LoL. I just think it plays better and is more fun. I like the graphics of HoN but it feels like an older game or a mod, a bit clunky and pretty unforgiving. I never played DoTA so I'm coming to these games without anything to compare them to and LoL is a much better experience for me.
I really don't like the last hit/denying aspect of HoN, and in scrapping that LoL allows you to focus more on tactics than on timing. I know you get a small bonus in LoL for last hitting but it isnt nearly as significant and doesn't lead to you getting totally outleveled. I consider myself a fairly decent gamer and can pick up most games quickly but I feel I'd have to study for hours to get anywhere with HoN, whereas with LoL I can pick it up and be competitive straight away. HoN is certainly more hardcore but that doesn't make it a better game.
Case in point. I got destroyed in the couple of HoN games I played so I jump on LoL, pick a character I've never played with before, grab some of the recommended items and do ok:
Matchmaking helps a lot I think but even if HoN had this I'd still prefer the gameplay of LoL.
Anyone who'd like to team up add me, ID is Vertikill
