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Review of Ruined King: A League of Legends Story on Nintendo Switch

by Hemal Harris Hemal Harris photo Nov 2021
Cover image of Ruined King: A League of Legends Story on Switch
Gamefings Score: 8
Platform: Switch Switch logo
Released: 16 Nov 2021
Genre: Role-playing
Developer: Airship Syndicate
Publisher: Riot Forge

Introduction

Let's be honest, folks. League of Legends is great, but mostly for staring at your screen in despair while the enemy team's KDA score looks more like the composite score of a superhero movie than a MOBA. Enter Ruined King: A League of Legends Story, where you can finally take a break from summoning your inner rage while you instead grapple with whether to unleash your character's ultimate ability two turns early or hold out for a combo. Think of it as the intellectual sibling that doesn't care if you win or lose; it just wants to see you strategize life decisions with your favorite champions from Runeterra.

Gameplay

Jumping into Ruined King is like stepping onto a well-trodden pirate ship-but with a treasure map that makes you engage your brain instead of just your reflexes. The turn-based combat draws you in with the 'Initiative Bar', which sounds a lot cooler than it actually is, but hey, at least you'll never accidentally press attack during your opponent's turn. The real fun here is trying to figure out how many times you can convince the game's AI to make poor decisions while you sit back and shine like the star player you always knew you were. Using tactical abilities isn't just about picking whatever color matches your mood either; you'll need to dodge those Boons and Hazards like your life depends on it-because trust me, it just might. And if you think you can spam your abilities like you do in a typical RPG, think again! The game forces you to plan, manipulate the initiative lines, and take full advantage of your character abilities. It's like the game is saying, 'Why would you want to hit square when you can finesse your way to a glorious win like the strategic mastermind you are?' You'll control a rotating cast of six characters from the League of Legends universe, and while it might be tempting to play favorites, trust me, every character has their strengths and weaknesses. Want to clear up ancient texts? Pick Illaoi. Need to protect an area while spitting puns? Choose Braum. It's like playing a trivia game with a twist-except instead of answering questions, you're coaxing out who can do what, when, and how badly they can screw it up if they don't execute correctly. Also, a quick shout out to the Ultimate abilities! They are glorious, a babbling mess of devastation waiting to happen. Unlocking them adds another layer of excitement to the mix-it's like watching your alcohol-infused friends take shots at a party. You know it's going to be entertaining, just not sure how chaotic it will get! Ultimately, Ruined King gives you a chance to master cunning strategies while creating unbreakable bonds with beloved characters... just beware of who becomes the team's biggest liability. Spoiler alert: it might just be you!

Graphics

The visual style here is like seeing a comic book burst into life, except they added some experience points and a side of HP. The graphics maintain a vibrant and engaging aesthetic that allows you to feel immersed in the fantasy world without your brain short-circuiting from Overwatch-level detail. The lighting is solid, making dungeons and towns really pop while still having enough grit to keep you aware that yes, there could be a zombie around the next corner-so you might want to watch your back while trying to figure out if that treasure chest has worth or just another pair of shoes for your wide-heeled character's 'adventurer' look! What's even better is that, unlike some games, this one runs smoothly even on the Switch, somehow keeping you engaged with no major hiccups while you plot your next attack. I mean, if you're going to commit your time to a pirate adventure, you might as well do it with visually pleasing graphics, right?

Conclusion

Ruined King: A League of Legends Story isn't just another RPG to toss on the pile of futuristic, laser-infused combat games. It requires real thinking, which some of you might find refreshing (or torturous, depending on your affinity for math). Your ability to strategize, utilize characters effectively, and, let's not forget, dodge those hypothetical hazards gives this game a level of challenge that is as rewarding as it is entertaining. Plus, if you happen to lose a few battles along the way, don't worry! Just blame it on that one character who insists on being the team's emotional anchor during battle-because we all know that character is a riot and probably the biggest liability on your side! So, grab your controller, assemble your party, and immerse yourself in the chaos of Bilgewater. Just don't forget to strategize-because if you don't, I can guarantee you that the Black Mist will be the least of your worries!

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