While at PAX Australia in October 2019, I was fortunate enough to be able to attend an exclusive invite only panel with Riot Games. They were on the verge of the 10th Anniversary of League of Legends and had a rather interesting topic they wanted to discuss. Joined via Skype call from Paul SottoSanti, their principal games designer, we were sworn to secrecy and told about their plans for the upcoming title, Legends of Runeterra.

Digital card collecting games have always had a bit of a bad reputation. They’re generally full of micro-transactions and the cards you receive are extremely random, usually requiring you to spend quite a bit of money for the one you’re chasing. Some games will have a trading system, which brings them a touch closer to the real life equivalent, but for the most part, you’re spending your hard earned money. Legends of Runeterra is looking to change this, and while they will still support micro-transactions, they have vowed there will be no surprises; you will have a good idea of what cards you are about to buy.

We were also given an opportunity to play the game, and then granted exclusive access to play as soon as they announced the game during their 10 year celebrations. Considering it’s a digital card game, I have to say I am thoroughly impressed by how it plays. As it has only just been announced, Legends of Runeterra really only has two game modes; vs AI or against another player, both offering decent challenges. Either option gives you the chance of unlocking cards as you earn experience from battles, and once you’ve completed the introductory games, you can focus on a specific region, expanding your deck as you see fit.

With six regions and a multitude of characters to pick from, you’ll find something for your particular play style; be it creatures impervious to damage, or decks that sacrifice minions to strengthen their champions, the choice is yours. Uniquely, characters can level up during game play as well, earning them new and exciting abilities so long as requirements are met.

With characters from the League of Legends game, and introducing a few new ones, Legends of Runeterra is full of personality. As you play your character cards, exclusive animations and voice overs will play out across your screen; I was particularly fond of Jinx’s rocket attack, with her smart remarks and cheerily painted rocket causing mayhem amongst the enemy deck. For something as simple as a card game, I was amazed by how much it drew me in.

As the early access has finally come to a close, I very much look forward to the closed BETA and seeing what else they may have brought into the game. While I’m not sure I can comment on exactly was discussed (due to not being able to watch the stream of it all being announced), Legends of Runeterra looks to be a game that will take the genre by storm, breaking all the barriers and redefining what we have come to expect from a digital trading card game.

Written by: Mathew Lindner