Ruined King: A League of Legends Story
- December 16, 2021
- Airship Syndicate
- 23h median play time
A game turn-based RPG fans will enjoy, though League fans will love.
"Ruined King: A League of Legends Story" is a single-player, turn-based RPG set in the League of Legends universe. Players explore the seas of the Shadow Isles, controlling a party of champions from the LoL roster, including Miss Fortune, Braum, and Yasuo. The game features strategic combat, character progression, and a new story in the LoL universe.
Reviews
- Engaging story and character development that expands on League of Legends lore.
- Unique combat system with a lane mechanic that adds depth to turn-based gameplay.
- Beautiful art style and excellent voice acting enhance the overall experience.
- Numerous bugs and glitches that can disrupt gameplay and quest progression.
- Slow movement speed and limited fast travel options make navigation tedious.
- Combat can become repetitive and too easy, especially on lower difficulty settings.
- story2,027 mentions
- 42 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
The story of "Ruined King: A League of Legends Story" is generally well-received, praised for its engaging narrative and character development, particularly for fans of the League of Legends universe. While some players found the main plot straightforward and occasionally predictable, many appreciated the depth added through character interactions and side quests, which enrich the lore. However, the game is marred by bugs and quest tracking issues that can detract from the overall experience, leading to frustration during gameplay.
“The story really gives you the feeling that you're part of the universe.”
“A truly tremendous experience from start to finish, nearly every part of the story is impeccably done, all of the characters are extremely well written and acted.”
“Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is a visually stunning and narratively rich RPG that immerses players in the captivating world of Runeterra.”
“The story is actually quite dull in general, and you don't ever really care about any consequences or events that take place. Same goes for the character interactions; it's so surface level that by the end I was just skipping through conversations, it just felt like filler.”
“While the storyline may be straightforward, it might not be as appealing to non-League players.”
“The story doesn't assume you know anything about the characters going into it, which was a big plus for me.”
- gameplay929 mentions
- 45 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 5 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Ruined King" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its unique turn-based combat mechanics, particularly the innovative lane system that adds depth and strategy to battles. While some players found the gameplay engaging and fun, others noted that it can become repetitive and lacks challenge as the game progresses. Overall, the game is seen as a solid entry in the genre, especially for fans of the League of Legends universe, but it is marred by bugs and pacing issues that detract from the experience.
“The gameplay is very unique and innovative, the art and animation are exceedingly beautiful.”
“The lane mechanic is a fun twist on turn-based RPGs.”
“The combat mechanics are fun, if not a little volatile at the highest difficulty.”
“The gameplay itself is boring and for some reason you already have strong characters by the time you unlock characters you want to use.”
“The world and gameplay are clunky, and the story isn't anything crazy.”
“The gameplay is too boring and repetitive to make it worth the time.”
- graphics410 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 38 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The graphics of the game are widely praised for their beautiful and unique art style, which effectively captures the essence of the League of Legends universe. While some reviewers noted minor graphical glitches and inconsistencies between in-game models and cutscenes, the overall visual presentation is considered vibrant and engaging, with many highlighting the stunning character designs and immersive environments. Despite some critiques regarding the game's graphical fidelity compared to AAA titles, the artistic direction and aesthetic appeal remain strong selling points for players.
“The distinct visuals of characters and their related regions are perfectly presented and conveyed; there are minor differences between in-game models and the art style of the cinematics, but that is a minor issue and does not affect the overall experience.”
“The graphics are brilliant, stylized beautifully; you can tell that there was a real sense of art direction for this game, and they did Miss Fortune and Ahri such good justice on both the design and narrative.”
“The art style is fantastic, with wonderful environmental art and beautiful cutscenes.”
“The graphics are not amazing, but honestly nobody gives a shit; people who care about stunning graphics play AAA titles anyway.”
“Graphically, the game is very average; it has a good overall art style, but the textures are very weak as well as animations, and you'll see that in combat when you're doing ultimates.”
“On top of this, the graphics resemble a game that would be released on PS3 back in 2008.”
- music344 mentions
- 65 % positive mentions
- 34 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received widespread acclaim, with many reviewers praising its thematic depth and ability to enhance the overall atmosphere. Composed by Gareth Coker, the soundtrack is described as engaging and immersive, fitting seamlessly with the game's various environments and scenarios. While some players noted moments of repetitiveness, the overall consensus is that the music significantly contributes to the game's appeal, making it a standout feature alongside its visuals and storytelling.
“The music is just amazing.”
“The soundtrack is beautiful and fitting.”
“The art, sound, and music direction in this game is incredible and really makes you feel immersed in the world.”
“The moment I realized that a lot of the music was a 10-second loop doubled to get to 20 seconds before coming back, the game was never the same.”
“The biggest issue that I don't even know how it hasn't been changed yet is the fact that the cinematic volume cannot be altered to my knowledge and the music played in them completely drowns out the dialogue.”
“Music doesn't get you in the mood; it is just background noise now.”
- stability203 mentions
- 2 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 97 % negative mentions
The game is widely criticized for its numerous bugs and glitches, which can disrupt gameplay and cause frustration, including issues with quests, controls, and visual elements. While some players found the experience enjoyable despite these problems, many noted that the game's stability is a significant concern, often leading to crashes and lost progress. Overall, the consensus is that the game requires further polishing and updates to address its stability issues.
“Great story, realistic voice acting, bug free, balanced fun gameplay, nice soundtrack.”
“+ bug free !!”
“It builds off Battle Chasers ideas, adding more depth and fun, runs great and I can tell I'm gonna play this end to end to explore every corner.”
“From unique quest items re-spawning multiple times to bizarre glitches making your character run in place and forcing you to load a previous save, not to mention visual bugs on the map, this could have benefited from more QA.”
“The game is buggy as hell, and I guarantee you that you will not complete a playthrough without experiencing some sort of bug, from clipping to items not working properly, and to being able to reset the availability of some limited items.”
“This game could be pretty great if it was not such a buggy mess.”
- grinding92 mentions
- 3 % positive mentions
- 9 % neutral mentions
- 88 % negative mentions
Overall, player feedback on grinding in the game is mixed. While some users appreciate the sense of progression and the option to avoid excessive grinding, many find certain aspects, such as navigation and enemy encounters, tedious and repetitive, particularly in the later stages. The game offers a balance where grinding is not strictly necessary for progression, but can become a chore if players aim for 100% completion or engage in side content.
“The combat is fast and fluid, and the lane system is interesting. I played at normal difficulty and found a balanced challenge, not too tedious nor too easy, which is excellent for those like me who have no experience with turn-based combat.”
“It's not grindy. Experience comes pretty easily if you fight things in groups, and there are a lot of good experience spots if you look for them.”
“The game isn't that grindy, but it is lore-heavy, which was much appreciated and made the experience more enjoyable for me.”
“At later portions of the game, it felt tedious getting from one place to another even with all the fast travel points and gondola network.”
“The game is grindy and slow and has quite a few quality of life issues, but those are easily overlooked due to the pros!”
“The story halted in favor of grinding for experience or other resources, and at the time, I just got too frustrated with it and left.”
- character development47 mentions
- 47 % positive mentions
- 47 % neutral mentions
- 6 % negative mentions
Character development in the game is widely praised for its depth and complexity, offering players a rich narrative experience that enhances their connection to the characters. Many reviews highlight the strong character designs and the engaging backstories that provide a significant upgrade over previous iterations in the League of Legends universe. While some critiques mention a few one-dimensional characters, the overall consensus is that the character dynamics and interactions are well-written and immersive, making it a standout feature of the game.
“Character development is complex at first, but gives a huge amount of depth once you get the hang of it.”
“The character development is super deep and rich and the story as a whole is interesting and held my attention all the way through.”
“Each character received their role, their story, and character development throughout the game, and it was a joy watching it all happen.”
“A lot of the characters come off as very one-dimensional and there is minor character development by the end of the game.”
“Shit game with shitty character development; it is not worth buying at all.”
“[*] cookie cutter boring story - zero worldbuilding / character development.”
- replayability44 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 61 % neutral mentions
- 20 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is generally considered low, with many players noting that it offers a satisfying single playthrough but lacks significant incentives for multiple runs. While some appreciate the engaging story and character dynamics, others express disappointment over the absence of endgame content, new game+ options, or varied gameplay experiences. A few players mention potential replay value through different character setups or difficulty levels, but the consensus leans towards a desire for more content to enhance replayability.
“Lots of replay value and a really good story to keep me interested.”
“10/10 game with a fair amount of replayability, can be a bit too easy at times but overall worth every penny.”
“Great quality, replayability, intriguing scenario, good balance and final touches.”
“There isn't much instant replay value and there are more than a few bugs, but on the whole, it's a fun experience. I will try more of the 'League of Legends Story' series.”
“The only thing missing here is replayability and end-game content.”
“Lack of replayability; to be fair, it is a single-player story game, so it's not always expected for there to be much replayability, but I still thought it a shame for a $45 game with such interesting and fun gameplay to not have much replayability other than turning the difficulty up.”
- humor44 mentions
- 98 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is widely praised, with players enjoying the witty dialogue, amusing character interactions, and clever Easter eggs related to League of Legends. Characters like Braum and Pyke provide comedic relief, while the game's quirky bugs and unexpected moments add to the overall charm. Despite some frustrations with gameplay mechanics, the humor remains a standout feature, keeping players engaged and entertained throughout their experience.
“The voice acting and character interactions were both awesome and hilarious, and they also made a lot of quality of life and gameplay improvements from Battle Chasers.”
“I love the little details and easter eggs from the actual League of Legends game, and random hidden NPCs that have fun things to say, or funny scenarios.”
“It's a fun, funny, pretty in-depth, and overall really enjoyable experience.”
“Not funny, Riot.”
- emotional23 mentions
- 96 % positive mentions
- -9 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by the well-developed characters, each showcasing unique traits that evoke a range of feelings, from warmth and humor to bittersweet nostalgia. Players appreciate the heartfelt dialogue and character interactions, which contribute to a cozy atmosphere, despite some critiques regarding the overall story depth and worldbuilding. The game's ability to elicit strong emotional responses, including moments of joy and sadness, resonates particularly with those who have a personal connection to the League of Legends universe.
“Illaoi is confident and Braum is a wholesome treasure, though all characters go through some development, told both through in-game dialogue and cutscenes.”
“#1 rest conversations are some of the most heartwarming and well-written character pieces I've seen in a game.”
“This game made me feel quite bittersweet because it's an infinitely better story than the ruination we got on League of Legends; it felt really good to see champions actually be in character, and the ending left an excellent setup for the event.”
“Cookie-cutter boring story - zero worldbuilding or character development.”
“The emotional moments felt forced and lacked genuine impact.”
“I couldn't connect with any of the characters; their struggles felt superficial.”
- atmosphere23 mentions
- 70 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 13 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, superb voice acting, and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the beautiful environments and art design, which create a charming and immersive world, complemented by a strong narrative and enjoyable combat system. While some mention minor gameplay flaws, the overall ambiance is described as cozy, atmospheric, and worth exploring.
“The environments are beautiful, the animations are above-par, the battles are fluid, and the aesthetics of every section of the map really suit the atmosphere.”
“The atmosphere and visuals are stunning; I would definitely recommend any fan to play this game.”
“Great soundtrack and atmosphere, good art direction, and oozing with style; try this game, what do you have to lose?”
“If you like the atmosphere you will like the game, but unfortunately, this game has great presentation that masks what I consider some underlying flaws in the gameplay and story flow that make it feel like fanservice.”
“The art style is consistent and beautiful, the world is charming and full of atmosphere, and the music serves to elevate both.”
“It's very much an old-school RPG, with relatively limited choice and dialogue, but it makes up for it with its strong atmosphere and art design.”
- optimization20 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 35 % neutral mentions
- 30 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received significant criticism, with players reporting issues such as frame rate stuttering, bugs, and glitches that hinder performance even on high-end PCs. Many users noted that the game feels poorly optimized, resembling a rushed port, and suggested that it requires further polish to enhance the gaming experience. While some players appreciated the art style and voice acting, the technical shortcomings overshadowed these positives.
“A completely smooth performance and fun time!”
“Feels un-optimized for mouse + keyboard, at least the devs respond to some of the complaints with the latest patch.”
“I got stuck in a wall forcing me to reload the game, frame rate stuttering even though my PC's specs are higher than recommended, quests given to you before you can actually complete them making you run around searching for this person to defeat, but doesn't actually spawn until later.”
“The game could benefit from more polish and optimization to improve the overall experience.”
“Bad performance/stuttering even with powerful hardware.”
- monetization5 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 100 % negative mentions
The monetization model of the game is generally viewed as less intrusive compared to typical free-to-play collectible card games, though some players criticize it as a cash grab lacking depth and substance. While there are calls for more advertising to raise awareness, the overall sentiment reflects a mix of appreciation for the polish and disappointment in the game's reliance on fan service.
“This game is a shameless cash grab without any substance whatsoever.”
“Even though this is a cash grab and a fan-service type of game, they couldn't even bother to fill the familiar world with the characters that you know from League of Legends.”
“Was hoping for more Riot, but good cash grab nonetheless.”
Critic Reviews
Ruined King: A League of Legends Story
A game turn-based RPG fans will enjoy, though League fans will love.
84%Ruined King: A League of Legends Story Review – Unlikely Alliances Are the Best
While it doesn't innovate the formula introduced in Battle Chasers: Nightwar too much, Ruined King: A League of Legends Story's quality is undeniably high, so much that even those with little to no knowledge of the League of Legends universe can enjoy the game fully. With an engaging story, charming characters and amazing combat system, the game by Airship Syndicate is the best possible debut for Riot Forge, and one of the best role-playing games released this year.
90%Ruined King: A League of Legends Story Review
Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is a deep turn-based RPG that lets us experience Runeterra from a whole new perspective and gives its characters room to grow.
80%
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