Ruined King: A League of Legends Story™
" Immersive indie RPG with deep turn-based combat and rich lore but frequent bugs disrupt gameplay "
Ruined King: A League of Legends Story™ Review
Ruined King: A League of Legends Story™ is a turn-based RPG developed by Airship Syndicate in collaboration with Riot Games, set in the dark realms of Bilgewater and the Shadow Isles. Players control a six-character squad including familiar LoL champions, engaging in tactical lane-based combat with a mix of active and passive skills. The game offers around 25 hours of story-driven gameplay enriched by character interactions, lore, and a comic book-style presentation.
The combat system is praised for its depth, strategic lane mechanics, and flexibility through respec options. The art style and soundtrack receive positive remarks for complementing the dark narrative. However, players frequently report issues such as numerous bugs, problematic quest markers, and tedious backtracking due to limited fast travel and confusing map design. Difficulty spikes early on but tends to diminish as players progress. Side quests are often seen as repetitive or unengaging, and some feel the story lacks strong character development. Despite these flaws, the game is recommended especially for fans of turn-based RPGs and LoL lore.
Highlights
Gameplay mechanics: Tactical turn-based combat with lane selection adds strategic depth and encourages experimentation.
Graphics and sound: Unique, sketch-like art style and solid soundtrack enhance the dark, atmospheric story.
Storyline: Engaging lore featuring iconic League of Legends champions and a compelling dark narrative set in Bilgewater and the Shadow Isles.
Character interactions: Campfire conversations and well-known heroes enrich the narrative experience.
Criticisms
Bugs: Numerous visual and game-breaking bugs disrupt immersion and progression, requiring manual saves and reloads.
Map and navigation: Poor map design, confusing quest markers, and limited fast travel cause frustrating backtracking.
Difficulty balance: Early game can be punishing, but the challenge quickly diminishes, making late-game encounters less engaging.
Side content: Side quests are often repetitive, uninspired, and overshadowed by main story progression.
Story and character development: Some players found the narrative average with limited character growth and impact on the wider lore.
Pros
- • Deep and strategic turn-based combat with lane mechanics.
- • Engaging dark storyline featuring popular League of Legends champions.
- • Unique and appealing sketch-style graphics and atmospheric soundtrack.
- • Flexible skill and equipment customization with free respec options.
- • Campfire conversations add personality and character depth.
- • A rich lore experience for fans and newcomers alike.
- • Varied combat builds including buff stacking and crit abuse.
Cons
- • Frequent bugs and glitches disrupt gameplay and progression.
- • Confusing map design and poor quest markers frustrate navigation.
- • Limited fast travel forces excessive backtracking.
- • Early difficulty spikes followed by a loss of challenge later.
- • Side quests feel repetitive and lack meaningful content.
- • Party member swaps restricted to resting points only.
- • Some character stories lack development and emotional impact.
Rating Criteria
Rise Against Ruin - Unite a party of League of Legends Champions, explore Bilgewater and set sail for the Shadow Isles to uncover the secrets of the deadly Black Mist in this immersive turn-based RPG.
