
	Platform PC Genre Strategy Publisher Riot Games Developer Riot Games ESRB T (Teen) Released October 27, 2009

- Lots of customization - Fun, addictive gameplay

- Some features not enabled - Artificial intelligence leaves something to be desired

Review: Torchlight (PC) Review: Trine (PC) Review: Shadowgrounds Survivor (PC)
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League of Legends

Score: 8.0 / 10

Fast paced strategy games aren’t exactly in short supply on the PC but it seems like there is always room for another good one. This one, based on the Defense of the Ancients map for Warcraft III certainly fits the bill although of course it is not without its problems.

Let’s get those out of the way, right away. The collector’s pack (a retail version of the game) includes the software on DVD and a $10 Riot points card. This pack also includes 20 champions already unlocked (without the need to play to unlock them) and 4 special runes. The basic game is free (available at leagueoflegends.com)

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without any catch, although there are microtransactions that will support the continued development of the game. It’s possible that if you buy the retail version you might feel a little cheated although personally I like the idea of the package on the shelf myself. Bottom line: as long as you feel you’ve gotten value that is all that matters.

Moving back to the heart of the matter, the

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superpowers in Valoran have come together and formed a special governmental body that settles all disputes within the land. Keeping war at bay is now the task of a special few – the League of Legends who control and resolve their differences through battles. Winner takes all and this is where you come in.

This game comes with elements of real time strategy and role playing, although it can be a bit confusing as to why certain parts of this game aren’t seemingly finished yet (this may change by the time you read this). The champions you choose are the core of the game and the variety even at this early stage is quite good. You’ll be able to fire missiles, turn invisible and do all sorts of other interesting things as you level up working your way through more difficult campaigns.

In addition to gaining access to new abilities, winning battles wins you gold which you can then shop for even more items to customize your champion and make them even more powerful.

The graphics are bright and colorful, much in the vein of what you would find in Warcraft III. The audio is what I would call average. Certainly it does the job but doesn’t particularly stand out one way or the other.

You can certainly play this game offline, but you’ll find that the artificial intelligence leaves a bit to be desired (as is often the case) meaning that the minions you face up against are pretty easy to defeat. The online play works well and is easy to get into with the matchmaking abilities built in. It certainly means the game has virtually endless replayability.

The retail version of League of Legends feels a little unfinished but again, if you like having the box on the shelf like I do then by all means pick it up. Patches in the future and continued development of the game will surely give it an even higher score and it’s worth checking out if you are a fan of this genre.

- Syd Bolton

(December 31, 2009)

Syd Bolton surrounds himself in classic games at the Personal Computer Museum (www.pcmuseum.ca) in Brantford, Ontario, Canada.