Convergence: A League of Legends Story
- May 23, 2023
- Double Stallion
Take control of Ekko and roam the streets of Zaun to unravel a mystery about Syntixi in this great metroidvania title! Great combat and platforming make this an easy recommendation.
"Convergence: A League of Legends Story" is a 2D action platformer game set in the League of Legends universe. Players can manipulate time as they explore the game's world and engage in exciting combat sequences. This game offers a unique blend of platforming and combat mechanics that are sure to captivate fans of the League of Legends franchise and newcomers alike.
Reviews
- The game features a beautiful art style and engaging story that resonates well with fans of League of Legends.
- Combat mechanics are fun and unique, especially with the time manipulation abilities that add depth to both combat and platforming.
- The game offers a satisfying experience with smooth controls and a variety of abilities that enhance gameplay, making it enjoyable for both platformer enthusiasts and League fans.
- The game suffers from a lack of depth in its story and character development, making some interactions feel shallow and predictable.
- There are issues with the controls, particularly on keyboard and mouse, which can lead to frustration during gameplay due to awkward bindings and unresponsive actions.
- The game is relatively short for its price, leaving some players feeling that it doesn't offer enough content to justify the cost.
- story142 mentions
- 54 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 4 % negative mentions
The story of "Convergence: A League of Legends Story" is generally well-received, with many players appreciating its connection to the League of Legends lore and the character development of Ekko. However, some reviews note that the narrative can be predictable and lacks depth, with certain characters feeling underdeveloped. Overall, while the story may not reach the heights of other titles in the franchise, it offers an engaging experience for fans and newcomers alike, complemented by strong visuals and enjoyable gameplay.
“Convergence: A League of Legends story is a captivating journey into the rich lore of the League of Legends universe, offering a refreshing blend of narrative-driven gameplay and strategic card-based combat.”
“As a fan of the League franchise, I was immediately drawn to the game's immersive storyline, which delves deep into the origins of beloved champions and introduces compelling new characters.”
“The story is amazing and elegant in its simplicity.”
“Childish characters and story; I quickly began skipping (the game lets you do that, thankfully).”
“The story also makes no sense whatsoever, and most of the characters aren't actually necessary for the plot.”
“Firstly, the story is passable, but a lot of the characters are flat and the dialogue is boring.”
- gameplay95 mentions
- 44 % positive mentions
- 53 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay of the game is generally well-received, featuring unique mechanics like time rewinding that enhance both combat and platforming experiences. However, some players noted issues with the execution of these mechanics, particularly in high-pressure situations, leading to frustration. Overall, while the gameplay is engaging and offers a solid challenge, it has moments of inconsistency and could benefit from further polish.
“The gameplay mechanics are pristine.”
“The game gets super fun when tackling the combat on the harder difficulty settings, since it makes you utilize all the tools the game has given you, and next to the fun platforming you really transform the game into more of an action combat game with all around really satisfying gameplay.”
“Ekko's ability to rewind time at any moment is by far and away the best thing about Convergence, and makes for some really unique gameplay.”
“I think this isn't necessarily the best game in the genre, but there are some issues I ran into with the time rewinding mechanic that made combat pretty frustrating on a few occasions.”
“The time rewinding mechanic isn't quite as polished as it could be; very often you'll rewind to what appears to be before taking damage, only to irreversibly take it again.”
“Story and gameplay concept is well done, but has some glaring flaws. Namely, the rewind mechanic can be frustratingly inaccurate in high-pressure situations, and controller support for PC is the worst I have seen on any game in years.”
- graphics31 mentions
- 81 % positive mentions
- 10 % neutral mentions
- 10 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game have received widespread praise for their stunning art style, which effectively captures the unique aesthetic of Zaun and enhances the overall experience. While some players noted that the busy visuals can occasionally obscure gameplay, the vibrant environments, memorable character designs, and fluid animations contribute to an immersive and enjoyable atmosphere. Overall, the game's visuals are considered a standout feature, complementing its engaging mechanics and narrative.
“Anyways, this game has a beautiful art style; some of the abilities are quite fun, running up walls, dashing, slowing time all flow really well together.”
“With stunning visuals, memorable characters, and a wealth of lore to explore, Convergence offers a truly immersive experience that will captivate both longtime fans and newcomers alike, proving itself as a standout title in the League of Legends universe.”
“The skater-punk art style is absolutely gorgeous and greatly complements the rest of Ekko's personality and design.”
“The art style does serve to make everything a little goofy - a character that stood out as particularly sabotaged by this was Warwick, who gets the lore treatment and sound effect of his horror-inspired cinematic trailer but whose model most closely resembles his puppy-dog emote.”
“My only nitpick about this game is the art style; though it's not much of a bother when the game is very enjoyable.”
“The game's graphic style is lacking.”
- music27 mentions
- 63 % positive mentions
- 26 % neutral mentions
- 11 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread praise, with many reviewers highlighting the impressive soundtrack that features remixes of familiar themes from League of Legends, particularly Ekko's. While some found the music to be outstanding and perfectly suited to the game's atmosphere, a few noted that it didn't stand out as much as in previous titles by Riot Forge. Overall, the soundtrack is considered a significant strength, enhancing the gameplay experience.
“The soundtrack and sound effects are awesome.”
“Despite the musical territory therefore being very familiar, the remixes are great, feel new and perfectly suit the situation in which they are used.”
“The music is some of the best OST I've ever heard across any media.”
“One area where it falls slightly short is the music.”
“As a fan of previous Riot Forge games, I also find myself missing the musical talents of Gareth Coker, whose compositions added a special touch to previous titles.”
“The soundtrack should be familiar to League of Legends players.”
- optimization9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed feedback, with some players noting performance issues despite the game appearing less demanding than others. While it is more suited for controller use, keyboard and mouse controls feel cumbersome, indicating a lack of optimization for PC gameplay. Despite these shortcomings, strong writing and engaging performances help to enhance the overall experience.
“Through the use of the gained platforming techniques (basically Metroid power-ups) and gadgets (freely slottable upgrades), one can tinker with their combat performance a lot, even creating combos in a way.”
“It's more optimized for controller (which I don't own) than for mouse and keyboard, but it's alright, still very playable. Totally recommend!”
“All three are salvaged by strong writing and vocal performances, but it's a place for improvement nonetheless.”
“One gripe I have, though, is that the game feels performance-wise unoptimized, which is weird since 'Song of Nunu' seems more performance-intensive than this game but requires the same amount of power from my PC.”
“Given the past performance of major Riot Forge titles in this regard, and the time-bending nature of the game that would theoretically let you pinpoint the perfect moment to stop petting the cat before it attacks you, this is a serious oversight.”
“The use of page up and page down to scroll can be cumbersome and feels like the controls were not optimized for PC gameplay.”
- emotional6 mentions
- 67 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game receives mixed reviews; while some players appreciate the touching moments and the emotional weight of the story, others find it lacking in depth and complexity. Despite criticisms of a boring narrative and underwhelming character portrayals, many players still enjoy the opportunity to engage with the lore of Runeterra.
“Overall, I had a good time playing it because I love Runeterra and enjoyed touching the world even in that way.”
“The story is very well done, and even if it lacks complexity or is relatively short, the emotional weight is exceedingly well done, and the characters, both returning and new, all feel like they either grew or contributed to the weight of the story's emotions and theme.”
“Thanks, Riot, for allowing me to finally experience all the cool lore and world of League without actually touching League.”
“Boring story; they don't even really do the league characters the justice they deserve.”
“Boring story.”
- grinding6 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
Players find the grinding mechanics to be a mixed bag; while some enjoy the variety of movement options like teleports and grinding rails, others criticize the tediousness of combat and the need to traverse large maps repeatedly. The controls can feel slow and clunky, particularly during combat, leading to a frustrating experience, especially at higher difficulty levels. Overall, while there are enjoyable elements, the grinding aspect can become monotonous and detracts from the overall gameplay experience.
“The character controls well, if a bit on the slow side; combat is okay but the combat rooms are tedious.”
“It's tedious to walk to the other side of the map all the time.”
“I turned the difficulty way up early on because the game was really trivial without it, but towards the end, every combat felt miserable and tedious.”
- replayability4 mentions
- 25 % positive mentions
- 25 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game boasts a solid replayability score of 8/10, with players noting that the main story and additional achievements encourage multiple playthroughs. The presence of various challenges and collectibles enhances the overall replay value, making it an engaging experience even after completing the primary content.
“This game actually has replay value.”
“Having completed the main story and the additional achievements, I can confidently say that the game offers a decent level of replayability.”
“The inclusion of various challenges and collectibles scattered throughout the game contributes to this replay value.”
- character development2 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- -150 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted through impressive character design and animations, with particular praise for Ekko's design, noting that his Arcane appearance is preferred over his League of Legends design.
“The character design and animations are impressive.”
“This extends into character design as Ekko uses his League of Legends design; however, I believe his Arcane design is much better, but that's just my opinion.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the characters.”
“I was disappointed with how the characters evolved; their arcs seemed rushed and unconvincing.”
“There is little to no growth in the characters throughout the game, which makes the story feel stagnant.”
- humor1 mentions
- 300 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players find the humor in the stark contrast between the game's early stages and the increasingly challenging platforming obstacles encountered later on, highlighting a comedic evolution in difficulty.
“Looking back at the start and then at the platforming challenges that await during the late game is a hilarious difference.”
“The witty dialogue and absurd situations had me laughing out loud throughout the entire game.”
“The humor is cleverly woven into the gameplay, making even the toughest challenges feel lighthearted and fun.”
- atmosphere1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The atmosphere in the game is generally considered acceptable, with some beautiful backgrounds; however, it lacks innovation and feels repetitive compared to previous offerings from the developer.
“The atmosphere is okay, with some beautiful backgrounds, but there's nothing new in the PNZ style that Riot has given us in recent years.”
“The game lacks a compelling atmosphere; it feels flat and uninspired.”
“While there are moments of beauty, the overall atmosphere fails to engage or immerse the player.”
- stability1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally solid, with only occasional minor glitches such as sound breaks and issues with borderless fullscreen mode. These occurrences are infrequent and do not significantly detract from the overall experience.
“There are a few glitches with some minor sound breaks and the borderless full screen, but those are few and far between.”
“The game crashes frequently, making it nearly unplayable at times.”
“I experienced several freezes during gameplay, which really disrupts the experience.”
Critic Reviews
CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story (Switch)
"Be kind rewind!" is the core experience of CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story. Mastering Ekko's time-based combat and platforming skills becomes incredibly rewarding for those wanting a new metroidvania experience. For Ekko mains, CONVERGENCE should be a no-brainer as it faithfully implements Ekko's power in inventive and satisfying fashions. For other League fans as well as those unfamiliar with Riot Games' other titles, CONVERGENCE will offer you memorability, challenge, a thoughtful story, and another blissful audio experience Riot (and Riot Forge) are known for.
88%Convergence: A League of Legends Story review
It may not bring anything truly new to the genre, but Convergence: A League of Legends Story is a great time nonetheless.
85%"a deliberately weighty Metroidvania"
An intricate, playful Metroidvania set in the worst that League of Legends' universe has to offer, Convergence brings its dystopia to life by knitting weighty platforming together with excellent time-winding combat, and is only held back by its slightly cartoonish take on its source material.
80%