Legends of Runeterra. The Best Video Games of 2020
Table of Contents
- Release date: 29 April 2020
- Platforms: PC Windows, Android, iOS
- Our rating: none
In the card games genre, it has been difficult to break Hearthstone's dominance so far, but all indications are that a worthy opponent has emerged this year. And not from nowhere, but from another hit universe – League of Legends. The game from Riot Games studio seems to be doing everything right. The gameplay is dynamic and addictive, you have to have a strategy in your head all the time and plan ahead. Legends of Runeterra also has a very pleasant audiovisual setting, which makes it much more fun.
What is most significant, however, is that the developers have taken a fairly sensible approach to the issue of microtransactions. We don't buy random packets of cards – we only pay for what we specifically want to purchase. In addition, we still have the ability to collect cards for free during gameplay, even for performing daily quests. Riot Games studio did what Valve failed to do with Artifact – it delivered a successful new card game worth reaching for.
Riot Games has produced a game that seems to be a heavily modified and improved version of Hearthstone. Much friendlier microtransactions than in other games, many new mechanics taken from popular board and card games; a popular universe, and an extensive progress system.
Mike Chwistek, impressions from Legends of Runeterra
Valorant
- Release date: 2 June 2020
- Platform: PC Windows
- Our rating: 8/10
Riot Games is releasing a lot this year, because, after the debut of the full version of Legends of Runeterra, Valoranthave also appeared. It's a collection of ideas from immortal Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and heroshooters like Overwatch. So we have dynamic 5 vs 5 games, buying weapons with cash collected during matches, as well as superpowers – as befits superheroes. We buy, we fight, we use our power to defend or attack a point.
The creators of LoL weren't trying to revolutionize shooters, they just offered something familiar, where everyone would feel at home, but a little better. And it worked, aside from the controversial anti-cheater system, which was supposed to be something special, but still failed to protect the production from cheaters. Players also complain about long waiting times between matches and high prices for cosmetic items. Fighting and shooting works pretty well, though, and the servers are full. Valorant is a nice alternative to any skill shooter fan.
Valorant is an incredibly successful combination of elements known from other online shooters. There's nothing groundbreaking, but the most important elements work together really well, and the new game from the creators of LoL is just fun to play. Unconventional marketing paid off, as the game reached even those who aren't really all that crazy about online shooters.
Paul Wozniak, review of Valorant
