League of Legends’ lore has grown so massive and in-depth that it might probably now not be contained by simply the unique sport. It’s now spilled out into initiatives like Netflix animated collection Arcane and the Riot Forge video games. Every Riot Forge sport is revealed by Riot and developed by a smaller studio with the liberty to discover a smaller slice of Runeterra. Bandle Story: A League of Legends Story is a crafting RPG set within the magical realm of the Yordles, and it’s probably the most whimsical Forge title but.
The Yordles have an extended and winding historical past in League of Legends. They’ve been a part of the sport since its authentic roster of 40 champions, and their lore has been reinvented and iterated upon over the past decade and alter. Whereas we’ve seen glimpses of the Bandlewood and Yordle society in Legends of Runeterra and League of Legends, the Yordles have all the time been a bit mysterious in comparison with the opposite factions in-game.
Enter Bandle Story, a sport set in Bandle Metropolis, the mysterious place from whence the Yordles got here. The Yordles are small, furry creatures that function Runeterra’s equal to the fae. They’re mischievous tricksters, touring throughout the mortal realms by way of mystical portals. The participant begins Bandle Story by making a Yordle of their very personal, choosing cute equipment and a set of furry animal ears.
![A colorful, floral area of Bandle City, lit with lamp posts and lights strung up on lines, in Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/UPJTGI6bac35kfUDODWsiJ0_e4U=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25230048/ss_f936900e6c723690431820cb909464c710cbe649.jpg)
Picture: Lazy Bear Video games/Riot Forge
That is the primary Riot Forge sport with an authentic protagonist; each different League of Legends story has starred an current champion. The participant’s Yordle is an apprentice who has simply wrapped up a 100-year crafting program on the standard island of Yarnville. Simply when the Yordle hero is able to set out and discover, one thing goes haywire, and the portals that join Bandle Metropolis and permit entry to the mortal realms collapse. The protagonist’s knitting magic and ingenuity can be required to restore the portals and save the day.
Bandle Story is a crafting RPG, which implies it isn’t targeted on typical fight. As a substitute, gamers must craft objects, discover the islands of Bandle Metropolis, and throw events. The participant character has a backpack that additionally doubles as a house base; they’ll drop their pack and have it flip right into a spacious multi-room construction, excellent for knitting, cooking, and throwing events.
Touring by way of Bandle Metropolis feels heat and welcoming. The sport’s pixel graphics look easy at first look, however there’s a deeper complexity to the environments that retains issues attention-grabbing; some areas have 3D lighting, for instance. Some zones have brilliant, autumn-esque colours, with floating islands linked by piano key bridges. Others are extra pale and pastel, with unattainable Escher-like structure constructed into the terrain. It’s all acquainted sufficient to really feel cozy, however bizarre sufficient to really feel like an extraplanar fae realm. There are additionally components of the map which have been claimed by acquainted League of Legends champions, just like the darkish and spooky citadel occupied by nefarious mage Veigar.
![A dark plaza in Bandle City, lit with lamp posts, and portions of the floor have been blocked out for a dance party in Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/TdHVInwJ1wyyPqnPRo9G9vmYcng=/0x0:1920x1080/1200x0/filters:focal(0x0:1920x1080):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25230072/ss_3bc0bfcce0aea51302378c9e71905f882d8e47ca.jpg)
Picture: Lazy Bear Video games/Riot Forge
Because the participant’s Yordle advances, they hyperlink these islands collectively, and their transportable backpack base makes it simple to determine themselves on a brand new frontier.
Within the technique of saving the day and restoring these portals, the participant will craft helpful items, throw large events, fish Stardew Valley fashion, create stalls to serve piping-hot meals, and go flying with League champion Corki. After a collection of Riot Forge video games centered round saving the world and interesting in high-octane battles, it’s a welcome change of tempo to discover the bizarre realm of Bandle Metropolis, with decrease stakes. Positive, the portals taking place is fairly dangerous — however along with your knitting magic and a solid of furry buddies, there’s nothing you possibly can’t tackle. Bandle Story is a sport that’s all about having fun with the journey and stopping to scent the magical, outsized roses alongside the best way.
Bandle Story is developed by Lazy Bear Video games, and will probably be accessible in February for Change and PC. The bigger League of Legends universe hasn’t been capable of delve into Bandle Metropolis and the Yordles in depth, and I’m glad this sport provides a manner to hang around with these humorous, furry little guys. With the world of Runeterra so typically being outlined by warfare and battle, and League of Legends itself being such a high-stress expertise, it’s good to have the ability to sit back, put your toes up, and plan a rockin’ dance celebration.