Legends of Runeterra is a combat card game from Riot and it is set in the world of League of Legends. It is a free to play game and as I write this you can jump in and have fun with the beta. Despite the ties to League of Legends, I do not think that you need any prior knowledge of that game before you jump in here. However, the fan service for League fans is great and I am sure they will get a kick out of it.
How to Download Legends of Runeterra
The game is a Windows, Android and iOS title. To start your download, click on the Download button below the review. And if you card games, check out also our review of the fantastic MTG Arena.
The Game Review
The deck-building aspect of Legends of Runeterra is something I think is really cool. For me, games like this tend to either succeed or fail by the way they let you build a deck. What this game does so right is making your Champions who you theme your deck around have a ton of personality.
They talk, they level up and each one that is currently available truly feels like a unique character. For example, Ashe can use frozen arrows, Teemo can infect an opponent’s deck with poison and so on. It means that there is probably a deck for everyone and building your deck around a particular playstyle is where I feel the game succeeds.
The game has different game modes for you to jump into. You can play a single-player focused mode that is kind of like a campaign. There is also a PvP battle where the community is pretty darn ruthless if you ask me and there is a training section too. The training section is one that I strongly suggest you spend some serious time with.
Legends of Runeterra is a fast-paced card battle game and it does have a lot of strategy at play. That is why the tutorials are an essential part of the game. It has a lot of trial and error as you play, but that is part of the learning experience if you ask me. The game encourages your deck to be based on two factions. I like to use one that is more about offense and another that deals with stealth for example.
The game moves at a brisk pace and it is kind of like a turn for turn system of play. It keeps the game moving, but I feel it also prevents the player who goes first from having a major advantage. As a result, games feel fairer and even if you do not go all-in with trying to get the best cards via the chest system, I still think you will have fun with this.
Presentation-wise I love what they have done here. I am a casual player of League of Legends at best, but even I can appreciate what they are doing. Each champion has their own style, personality and I love the way they talk trash during battles. The special effects when a big move happens is cool too.
I know that it is too early to really say if Legends of Runeterra has the staying power like a game such as Hearthstone. However, I do like what they are doing so far. I do have worries about the way they are going to want money for this when the game is fully released. In the time I have spent with the game though, I have had a fun time and never once felt like I was at a disadvantage.
