Ruined King: A League of Legends Story

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 9 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
  1. SpazioGames
    Nov 25, 2021
    85
    Out of its comfort zone, Runeterra's world shines in this well-crafted and smart RPG, that feels just like a first step in a journey that is going to bring League of Legends up to new shores.
  2. PLAY
    Feb 23, 2022
    80
    Detailed, characterful, and with a mechanical twist that adds depth to turn-based combat. Don’t let any preconceptions about League Of Legends put you off this spin-off. [Issue#9, p.77]
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  3. GameSpot
    Dec 14, 2021
    80
    Ruined King: A League Of Legends Story has set the bar for future forays into League of Legends lore. The story Airship Syndicate tells here delivers in a big way, turning these six champions into the new faces of the franchise. The JRPG Airship crafted around its story is also wonderful, creating a feeling of playing League of Legends while actually playing a turn-based RPG battle. A few technical issues pop up here and there, but outside of the rare crash, none of them break the experience for every game. If this is the level of detail that future Riot Forge projects reach, we will all hail the Ruined King for ushering in this new era.
  5. IGN
    Nov 30, 2021
    80
    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.
  6. Jeuxvideo.com
    Nov 26, 2021
    80
    Ruined King: A League of Legends Story isn't reinventing the wheel, that's for sure. However, its solid game systems make it quite a recommendable RPG, especially for LoL fans. They will be able to appreciate the reinterpretation of their favorite universe by Airship Syndicate and Joe Madureira. And while we regret a somewhat conventional writing that sometimes lacks subtlety, we appreciate being able to immerse ourselves in the alleys of Bilgewater and the Dark Isles in the company of charismatic champions.
  7. IGN Spain
    Nov 24, 2021
    80
    Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is a story-driven, turn based role-playing game (RPG). It features fan favorite champions, innovative turn-based combat and beautiful art direction.
  8. Eurogamer Italy
    Nov 24, 2021
    80
    Another captivating RPG by Joe Madureira and friends, this time in the League of Legends realm. Gorgeous and demanding, Ruined King needs just a little bit of tuning to become an unmissable one.
  9. Twinfinite
    Nov 22, 2021
    80
    It is clear that Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is a work of love, combining a well-written narrative, engaging characters, and a world worth exploring and experiencing. The combat elements add to a familiar formula, and the turn-based elements are not that hard for anyone to wrap their heads around. Save for a few yet annoying bugs and glitches, it is hard not to see Ruined King: A League of Legends Story as a bonafide breakout hit for Riot Forge and Airship Syndicate.
  10. GRYOnline.pl
    Nov 30, 2021
    75
    I'm hoping that the sequel will get developed. I hope it's equally pleasant and full of ideas, but more focused. Right now, Ruined King seems like a small game that was supposed to be big or a big game that turned out surprisingly small. Whatever the case, it's still a good and great-looking RPG.
  11. Attack of the Fanboy
    Nov 23, 2021
    70
    Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is not one to miss. This game will surprise you with its exciting dungeons, dynamic boss battles, one-of-a-kind combat mechanics, and charming characters.
  12. Hobby Consolas
    Nov 22, 2021
    70
    Without revolutionizing the genre, Ruined King: A League of Legends Story does everything it sets out to do very well. In this way, it will satisfy both MOBA fans and those looking for a complete and content-laden turn-based RPG.
  13. Noisy Pixel
    Nov 22, 2021
    55
    Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is a competent narrative adventure for fans of the base game, but it barely scrapes by as a standalone game for newcomers to the series. The turn-based combat mechanics are refreshing, and the story elements are there. Still, the number of outdated gameplay components and flagrant unpolish that make progression borderline impossible ultimately makes this an engaging spectacle than an enjoyable playable experience.

Awards & Rankings

34
#34 Best PS4 Game of 2021
38
#38 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2021

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
6.9

Mixed or average reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 40
  3. Negative: 10 out of 40
  1. CrawlingEagle13
    Nov 18, 2021
    9
    Great game from a talented studio! It has everything I love about old school turn based RPGs with an added “Combat Lane” mechanic that makesGreat game from a talented studio! It has everything I love about old school turn based RPGs with an added “Combat Lane” mechanic that makes the battles feel unique. Hopefully Airship Syndicate gets the opportunity to make more games in the world of League of Legends, they did an awesome job with this one.… Full Review »
  2. DarkSage
    Nov 30, 2021
    7
    This is a good game (7 is a good mark). It's not as good as Battlechasers, but had fun with. Finished on veteran around 40h, completing almostThis is a good game (7 is a good mark). It's not as good as Battlechasers, but had fun with. Finished on veteran around 40h, completing almost everything.

    The good: fun battle system, great story, fun (but previously established) characters, nice music and sounds. Engine provides solid graphics and as always looks nice in its cartoonish-cellshading style.

    The bad: too much loadings, which take too much time, making the quasi-obligatory backtracking tedious. Gameplay wise, it has horribly slow start, revealing mechanics without any serious plan for first 6h. On the other hand, close to the end you just don't want to fight anymore, because fights became repetitive and not challenging (at least on veteran). While weaker enemies run away from the party, level difference needs to be 6+, but you end at level 30 with most areas boosting enemies to level 25.

    Pathed version I played still had a lot of bugs. Especially game crushing after battles (from programming perspective, I think they have some issue with adding new entries to Bestiary; reloading game fixes problem for time). Since autosave is scarse, there is no quicksave and entering saving menu after most battles take so much time it was element that ruined my experience most.

    Compared to Battlechasers food lost it's importance, since you can only buy it, and enchantments don't feel so powerful, especially since 3 of characters rely on critical hits, so you naturally boost it for them. Also casting healing skill before killing all enemies will no longer cast it before battle end. Also it feels there is much less variety in environments, but it is due to the story. More enemy types would be fun, but it's not too bad.

    Overall I recommend playing it to all fans of RPG, especially older jRPG types. I don't feel my time wasted in general, but also I probably won't play it again to get platinum.    … Full Review »
  3. orlyworly
    Nov 21, 2021
    10
    I loooove iiiit! A good game for RPG lovers. A MUST play for league lovers!!
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