Song of Nunu Review: Step Right Up

League of Legends is one of the most popular and influential games in the history of esports. It has impacted gaming over the last decade in several ways. Riot’s recent TV Series exploded in popularity, making it possibly the best video game adaptation to exist. And to add to that rich lore of League of Legends, Riot Forge has brought out their AA guns with the release of Song of Nunu. Presenting Gameffine’s Song of Nunu review.

Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story was released on November 1, 2023, for PC and Nintendo Switch. It is a single-player story adventure game developed by Tequila Works and published by Riot Forge.

The Wholesome Duo

The game is set in the Freljord, a frozen region in the world of Runeterra, where League of Legends takes place. The game follows the journey of Nunu, a young boy who is searching for his mother, and Willump, his yeti friend, as they explore the secrets and legends of the Freljord.

The game is inspired by the lore and characters of League of Legends, but also by the themes of friendship, family, and imagination. The developers wanted to create a warm and wholesome story that would contrast with the harsh and treacherous environment of the Freljord. They also wanted to showcase the diversity and richness of the Freljordian culture, which includes different tribes, factions, and champions.

The story of Song of Nunu is divided into five chapters, each with its own location, puzzles, and challenges. The game also features several League of Legends champions, such as Braum, Lissandra, Ornn, and Volibear, who play important roles in the plot. The game explores the backstory and relationship of Nunu and Willump, as well as the history and conflict of the Freljord. The game also has multiple endings, depending on the choices and actions of the player.

It’s a 7-hour tale with no filler and wholesome content. There are no side-quests to bug you, the puzzles and platforming do not dampen its narrative, and you get an awesome companion to hang out with. While Nunu’s companion Willump does not have a personality as deep as The Last Guardian’s Trico, he sure as hell is obedient.

Step it Up

The gameplay of Song of Nunu is mainly focused on exploration, puzzle-solving, and interaction. The player controls Nunu, who can use his flute to play songs that have different effects, such as calming animals, activating mechanisms, or creating snowballs. The player can also switch to Willump, who can use his strength and abilities to break obstacles, fight enemies, or carry Nunu. The game also has some stealth and combat sections, where the player has to avoid or defeat the minions of Lissandra, the ice witch who wants to use Willump’s power for her own purposes.

Overall, the gameplay is fairly normal with occasional jankyness in its controls. But in the end, it manages to get the job done. Considering Riot Forge’s previous releases, it is a huge step up. The jump from their top-down and 2D- titles to this 3-D one was totally worth it. In the coming years, I would like Riot Forge to build upon the strong foundation they have here.

The AA Guns

The visuals of Song of Nunu are colorful and stylized, with a cartoon-like aesthetic. The game uses a dynamic weather system, which changes the appearance and mood of the environment. The game also has a lot of details and references to the lore and culture of the Freljord, such as runes, statues, carvings, and artifacts. The game also has some cinematic cutscenes, which enhance the storytelling and the emotion of the game.

The soundtrack of Song of Nunu is composed by Cris Velasco, who also worked on other games such as God of War, Overwatch, and Borderlands. The soundtrack consists of 25 tracks, which range from cheerful and playful to epic and dramatic. The soundtrack also uses different instruments and styles, such as flutes, strings, drums, and choirs, to reflect the different aspects and themes of the game. The soundtrack also incorporates some of the musical motifs and themes from League of Legends, such as the Freljord theme and the champion themes.

Real Talk

Song of Nunu offers a unique and immersive experience in the world of Runeterra. The game has a captivating story, a lovable duo of protagonists, a diverse and rich setting, fun and varied gameplay, a beautiful and expressive art style, and a memorable and fitting soundtrack. While it suffers from some uninspired puzzles and level designs, it is a must-play for fans of League of Legends and for newcomers to the franchise alike.

Final Rating: 80/100