Ten years in the past I would not have believed you in the event you instructed me League of Legends would sooner or later have a bafflingly lovely ‘crafting RPG’ spinoff

For me, League of Legends “ended” someplace round 2015 once I realized ranked play was simply making me upset and that there have been different video games I wished to spend my time on. Every time I am periodically reminded that the sport’s nonetheless greater than god and reworking in unrecognizable methods I get the identical sense of vertigo as once I hear that Gray’s Anatomy continues to be on the air⁠—sans the Gray. Enter Bandle Story, a cutesy pixel artwork “crafting RPG” spinoff for the immortal MOBA that releases subsequent month.

We beforehand coated Bandle Story’s announcement in September, however the RPG simply acquired a brand new trailer with a launch date of February 21. I am nonetheless not fully certain what its entire deal is⁠—it positively has that Stardew twang with its pixel artwork, cultivation mechanics, and developer Lazy Bear Video games’ historical past on Graveyard Keeper, but it surely additionally seems to be like Bandle Story duties you with rectifying some type of portal calamity within the titular Bandle Metropolis, residence to League’s Yordle race of funky little hamster guys.

The factor that basically offers me pause is Bandle Story’s pixel artwork: the environments are simply beautiful, extremely wealthy and detailed with an awesome sense of depth to the isometric perspective. I can by no means play League itself ever once more, however I would not thoughts getting misplaced on this attractive little house hamster metropolis. League’s rising library of spinoffs is spectacular throughout, with the Arcane Netflix present, Ruined King RPG, and upcoming preventing recreation all commanding my consideration.

Bandle Story launches February 21 on Steam, GOG, and Epic with a preorder additionally netting you a nifty hat and another beauty goodies.