Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story
- August 1, 2023
- Tequila Works
- 8h median play time
A well-executed adventure with a lot of heart, Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story is an adventure full of spectacle and fun.
"Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story" is a single-player narrative adventure where players guide best friends Nunu and Willump on a journey through the frostbitten wilds of the Freljord. Together, they forge bonds, uncover secrets about their past, and explore a beautiful, treacherous landscape filled with new allies and challenges. Navigate dangerous terrains, overcome obstacles, and engage in action-packed snowball fights in this emotional, immersive experience.
Reviews
- The game features a heartwarming story that beautifully explores the bond between Nunu and Willump, making it a delightful experience.
- Visually stunning with charming graphics and a captivating soundtrack that enhances the overall atmosphere of the game.
- The gameplay is simple and relaxing, making it a perfect choice for players looking for a casual gaming experience.
- The game is relatively short, taking around 5-8 hours to complete, which some players feel does not justify the price tag.
- Gameplay can feel repetitive at times, with puzzles and combat lacking depth and challenge.
- There are technical issues such as camera control problems and occasional frame drops that can detract from the overall experience.
- story460 mentions
- 57 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The story of "Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story" is widely praised for its heartwarming themes of friendship, family, and adventure, effectively expanding on the lore of the League of Legends universe. While some players find the narrative engaging and emotionally resonant, others feel it lacks depth and evolves too slowly, leading to mixed feelings about its overall impact. Despite its short length of around 5-8 hours, many reviewers appreciate the charming characters and beautiful storytelling, making it a delightful experience for both fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.
“The story is light enough to keep you smiling, but also has weight to everything in it.”
“A wonderfully wholesome and beautiful story.”
“The story is very cute and solid.”
“The story is a bit cliché; it was all just okay; nothing was very surprising or emotionally touching.”
“I liked the game; it's just too much to pay $30 for around 5 hours of story.”
“The gameplay feels clumsy, and the story is short.”
- gameplay176 mentions
- 39 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The gameplay of "Song of Nunu" is generally described as simplistic and easy, catering to casual gamers with straightforward mechanics and a focus on storytelling. While some players appreciate the charming visuals and heartwarming narrative, many find the gameplay repetitive and lacking in depth, with clunky controls and limited challenge. Overall, it offers a cozy experience suitable for short sessions, but may not satisfy those seeking more complex gameplay.
“The gameplay gradually introduces new mechanics, from platforming to puzzles and collectibles, ensuring a smooth progression that keeps the player engaged.”
“The gameplay is straightforward, and the puzzles never take too long to figure out.”
“The story is amazing, the environment is amazing, the gameplay is a lot of fun, there are fun puzzles, some challenging bits, it truly is an experience.”
“While the game’s visuals are beautiful and the bond between Nunu and Willump is heartwarming, the gameplay feels overly simplistic.”
“This feels like a game for the Switch, and its clunky mechanics and constantly locked camera take away immersion and don't really 'work' on bigger screens.”
“The gameplay feels clumsy and the story is short.”
- music162 mentions
- 46 % positive mentions
- 52 % neutral mentions
- 2 % negative mentions
The music in "Song of Nunu" is widely praised for its beauty and emotional depth, enhancing the game's whimsical atmosphere and storytelling. Many players highlight the soundtrack as a standout feature, with its diverse tracks complementing gameplay and evoking strong feelings, particularly during key moments. Overall, the music is considered a significant asset that elevates the gaming experience, making it a compelling reason to play.
“The music is a delight, and wonderfully implemented as a gameplay mechanic.”
“The soundtrack successfully matches the pacing of the story, building anticipation during intense moments and providing a comforting backdrop in quieter sections.”
“The music holds true to the background and themes of the story.”
“Can confidently give Song of Nunu a well-deserved 'meh'.”
“I think Song of Nunu tries to be too many things at once and overall lacks a clear direction.”
“The music might be my favorite music out of all the games I've played.”
- emotional135 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of "Song of Nunu" is widely praised for its heartwarming narrative and charming character interactions, particularly the bond between Nunu and Willump. Many players report feeling deeply moved, with some even shedding tears during their experience, highlighting the game's ability to evoke strong emotions despite its simplistic gameplay. Overall, it is described as a beautifully crafted, wholesome adventure that resonates with players, making it a memorable and touching experience.
“A heartwarming game about a boy and his yeti.”
“The game's exploration is vast, and its emotional narrative had me shedding tears of both joy and sorrow.”
“Heartwarming story about a child and his best friend that portrays a journey of growth and overcoming as they adventure together into a quest of courage and acceptance.”
- graphics101 mentions
- 61 % positive mentions
- 36 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of "Song of Nunu" are widely praised for their beautiful art style, charming visuals, and detailed environment design, which effectively complement the game's heartwarming story and character interactions. While some players noted minor performance issues and a simplistic graphic style reminiscent of older games, the overall aesthetic is considered captivating and engaging, making it a delightful experience for both fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.
“The graphics are so crisp and icy that I can practically feel the chill in the air, and the gameplay is as exhilarating as a yeti sled ride down a snow-covered mountain.”
“The visuals are beautiful, and the gameplay itself isn't extremely hard, so it doesn't make you hate the process.”
“With charming puzzles, a rich narrative, and stunning visuals, the game delivers a delightful experience for both fans of the franchise and newcomers alike.”
“It's boring, overpriced, the graphics are dog crap like the PS2, basically it sucks is what I'm trying to say.”
“It had a few issues, like performance being variable, and the graphics feeling like they were from a few years back.”
“I sometimes had frame drops - always only for not even a second, but more than 15 times. Guess the game loaded something, but it's not a The Last of Us or Red Dead Redemption with high-quality graphics and textures, so I can't really understand how that can happen.”
- atmosphere14 mentions
- 71 % positive mentions
- 7 % neutral mentions
- 21 % negative mentions
The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning visuals, charming graphics, and an engaging soundtrack that enhances the overall experience. Players appreciate the rich, colorful environments and the nostalgic feel reminiscent of classic platform-adventure games. The setting, particularly the snowy landscapes of Freljord, along with well-designed characters and lore, contribute significantly to the game's appeal.
“The atmosphere is really amazing as you get to explore Freljord and listen to the nice music it has to offer.”
“Each new area in the game was rich in colour, atmosphere, and lore!”
“The graphics and atmosphere are incredibly charming, the gameplay is very reminiscent of old-school platform-adventure games from the PS1 & PS2 era and the OST is nothing short of amazing!”
“The characters are cute, and the overall design radiates a familiar, almost PS2 platform-like atmosphere.”
“The graphics and atmosphere are incredibly charming, the gameplay is very reminiscent of old-school platform-adventure games from the PS1 and PS2 era, and the OST is nothing short of amazing!”
“The performance isn't that bad and the gameplay is mediocre, but the setting and atmosphere/music is where this game really shines.”
- humor13 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is described as a mix of childish and smartass elements, with some characters, like Willump the yeti, providing comedic relief through their antics. While some dialogue may feel forced, the overall experience is noted for its emotional depth and moments of genuine humor, making it a charming and engaging narrative. Players appreciate the blend of funny character interactions and captivating storytelling, contributing to a wholesome gaming experience.
“Story itself was amazing; captivating, emotional, funny.”
“Willump the yeti is such a goofball character who pulls funny faces, loves to eat berries and mushrooms and goes on strike when he's had enough.”
“Very wholesome, funny and at times even very touching story.”
- optimization9 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 33 % neutral mentions
- 33 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization is a mixed bag; while it performs well on low-end hardware like the Steam Deck and offers smooth gameplay, some users report occasional stuttering and janky platforming. The graphics may feel dated, and performance can be variable, but the game remains enjoyable, especially with controller support.
“In terms of performance, the game shines even on low-end hardware such as the Steam Deck, making it an excellent choice for portable play without compromising on quality.”
“This is where the bar should be for single-player games, as far as optimization goes, for sure.”
“Be mindful, performance is sometimes a bit rough, but overall, the gameplay is really smooth and fun!”
“Unoptimized.”
“One other issue I did encounter some stuttering in parts, and some of the platforming had some jank to it.”
“It had a few issues, like performance being variable, and the graphics feeling like they were from a couple of years back.”
- replayability8 mentions
- 13 % positive mentions
- 50 % neutral mentions
- 38 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's replayability is mixed; while some players find it enjoyable and worth revisiting due to its production value and fun gameplay, many others feel it lacks depth and sufficient content to justify multiple playthroughs, with achievement hunting being the primary incentive for replay.
“This game is super pretty, super fun, it has replayability, and is overall just a blast to play.”
“For the cost, it doesn't offer enough depth or replay value to justify the purchase.”
“There's not really much replayability unless you want to achievement hunt, too.”
“While short and not a lot of replay value, I believe the production value and love that exudes from this game justifies its existence.”
- stability6 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- -17 % neutral mentions
- 67 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's stability is generally praised, with most players reporting minimal bugs or glitches. However, some users have noted occasional visual glitches and frame rate issues, particularly during cutscenes. While the experience is mostly smooth, a few players encountered specific problems that could be mitigated by adjusting settings like v-sync.
“The game is so good and adorable; the graphics are fantastic, and the Freljord is beautiful. The characters are great, even Ornn, but I love the League style more. Willump is amazing; his intelligence and interaction with the world are impressive. The achievements are well-balanced—not too hard, not too easy. The game itself is not difficult, and the boss fights are wonderful. The story is the best part; we learn what happened to all the yetis, and it provides a good ending for the future. The puzzles are enjoyable and not hard. There are no glitches at all, although some players had a problem at the end, which can be avoided by simply enabling V-Sync.”
“The game is completely bug-free, which enhances the overall experience.”
“I appreciate the stability of the game; it runs smoothly without any crashes or major issues.”
“This game nails everything from gameplay to story, art style, etc. and is very casual to hop in during a busy month (6 hours or so of gameplay). The only complaints I have are sometimes stutters and visual glitches.”
“Some cutscenes have some weird animation glitches.”
“Snowball action, giant freezes, glacial fissures, ice claws all around if you know what I mean!”
- character development2 mentions
- 150 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 150 % negative mentions
Character development is highlighted through engaging dialogues and strong voice acting, which enhance the depth and relatability of the characters. Additionally, the character design contributes to their individuality, making them memorable and integral to the overall narrative experience.
“The character development in this game is phenomenal; the dialogues and voice acting truly bring each character to life.”
“I love how the character arcs evolve throughout the story, making every decision feel impactful and meaningful.”
“The depth of the characters is impressive, with well-written backstories that enhance the overall narrative experience.”
“The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
“I was disappointed by the lack of meaningful choices that impact character growth throughout the game.”
“The dialogue options are limited, which hinders the potential for rich character development and emotional engagement.”
- grinding1 mentions
- 100 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 0 % negative mentions
Players appreciate the absence of grinding in this game, highlighting it as a refreshing experience focused solely on the story. The lack of inventory management and XP grinding allows for a seamless and enjoyable adventure.
“It's a very refreshing short story adventure that's just about the story, no inventory, no unlockable abilities, no tedious grinding for XP, just a quick wonderful adventure between a boy and his yeti!”
- monetization1 mentions
- 0 % positive mentions
- -200 % neutral mentions
- 300 % negative mentions
The monetization system includes a battle pass and various microtransactions, but lacks engaging features like talents and a progression bar, which may detract from the overall experience. Additionally, inventory management appears to be a concern for players.
“The game lacks any meaningful talents or progression systems, and the inventory management is a mess, making the monetization feel even more frustrating.”
“The absence of a progression bar and the overwhelming presence of microtransactions really detracts from the overall experience.”
“The battle pass system is poorly implemented, and the constant push for microtransactions makes it hard to enjoy the game without spending extra money.”
Critic Reviews
Song Of Nunu: A League Of Legends Story Review – A Boy And His Yeti
Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story is another successful Riot Forge project that expands the reach of Runeterra beyond the confines of the wildly successful MOBA. A rough opening chapter segues into an impeccably paced experience that's short, sweet, wholesome, and all too easy to play.
80%Riot Forge’s best game yet
“Song of Nunu is Riot Forge's best game yet, emphasizing gameplay variety and an emotional narrative about processing grief.”
80%Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story review – Snowball fight with a Yeti!
Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story is a magical adventure starring a sweet duo of characters. Nunu and Willump are a joy to get to know and love. With smooth platforming and great puzzles, this will be a game that any League of Legends fan will want to play. If you enjoyed old school platform/puzzle games, you’ll love this gem.
90%