Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story

Running Around Runeterra with my Fur Buddy Can Be Heartwarming but Lacks Challenge.

After battling player vitriol for years, Riot Games realized that completely cleaning up League of Legends would be an impossibility. Yes, the free-to-play MOBA’s reporting system has curtailed some of the most egregious behaviors, but it will never be a panacea. So, in addition to providing loot to well-behaved players, the latest Riot Forge spin-off strives to connect the property with warm-and-fuzzy tenderness. The result is an amiable third-person puzzle-adventure that feels like a throwback to the PlayStation 2-era.

As the title implies, Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story centers on the parka-clad eponymous lead and his devoted yeti friend, Willump. Unsurprisingly, the storytelling, which is rooted in League of Legends’ 2018 lore update, isn’t sophisticated, as the pair traverse the snow-blanketed realm of Freljord to find Nunu’s missing mother. Although devotees might appreciate the handful of LoL cameos, the game’s simplistic storytelling flaunts sporadic moments of tenderness that could pull at the heart-stringers of larger audiences.

Willump, the Good Boi

Song of Nunu doesn’t devote much time to backstory, overlooking the pair’s oppositional first meeting. Instead, it’s a journey filled with heart-warming moments, whether it’s Nunu clinging to the back of his scampering pal or the two companions pausing their trek for a spirited snowball fight. Camaraderie is ubiquitous across the seven-hour trek. The brief moments when the two are separated can feel lonesome without your gigantic yeti friend. Since Willump’s AI is a bit better than your average tag-along pal, intermittently signaling the way forward, you’ll notice his absence.

An introductory flash-forward shows the mighty creature unexpectedly susceptible, revealing one of Nunu‘s emotional underpinnings. It’s obvious that developer Tequila Works (The Sexy Brutale, RiME) had studied the ‘boy and his dog’ genre. There are plenty of animations that express Willump’s emotional state, whether through a joyful high-five or an enthusiastic hug. Just as communicative are the subtitles that translate the Yeti’s language, which usually express broad feelings rather than any specifics. Nunu isn’t as nuanced, but is unwaveringly likable.

Pushover Puzzles Are Ideal for Younger Players

With few enemies to fight, opposition mainly arrives in the form of basic puzzles. Occasionally, you’ll use Nunu’s magical flute, Svellsongur, to clear an environmental obstruction. In other moments, you’ll fling snowballs at mechanisms to open doorways or harness Willump’s ability to freeze water to create a path. Yes, the puzzles aren’t exactly demanding, seemingly intended for younger audiences. But for most people, they are just engaging enough to maintain a sense of momentum. Occasionally, the title tosses more thorny brainteasers at players. I found a handful of these to be Song of Nunu’s best moments.

But instead of crafting a few well-developed play mechanics, Tequila Works is more interested in variety. But all too often that means a notable lack of polish and intermittently- a feeling of frustration. Early on, you’ll face some Uncharted influenced navigation, as you clamber around on vertical surfaces. But occasionally, a lack of play testing is obvious as Willump narrowly misses an edge, making a disheartening plunge. Fortunately, the penalty isn’t too severe thanks to generous checkpointing. But it still tarnishes the sunny sentiment that the developers are striving for.

Likewise, the occasional scuffle with a frost wolf feels like an inconsequential obstacle rather than a test of your prowess in controlling Nunu and Willump. When the erratic enemy attacks a few button prompts can summon some Yeti strength or ice magic from Nunu, fights are simplistic with finishers injecting a scrap of sophistication. This is exacerbated by environmental design that’s largely linear, save for a few barely obscured alcoves hiding collectibles. But in all fairness, I enjoyed games like this twenty years ago, so there’s a decent chance that younger players who don’t appreciate lofty challenges might enjoy Riot Forge’s latest.

Conclusion

As spin-offs go, Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story is regrettably average. The title does a commendable job of capturing the bond between a young boy and his yeti friend. But beyond some of the game’s expressive moments, the pair’s icy trek is filled with obstacles rather than puzzles. Like many pop music hits, Song of Nunu is forgettable.

Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story was played on PC