The expanded universe of Legend of Legends simply acquired slightly larger right this moment with The Music of Nunu.
Developed by Tequila Works and printed by Riot Forge, Music of Nunu: A League of Legends Story is the fifth League of Legends expanded universe standalone recreation. It’s the third Riot Forge title launched this 12 months, following on the heels and success of The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story and CONV/RGENCE: A League of Legends Story in April and Could, respectively.
Music of Nunu places you into the sneakers and paws of League of Legends’ friendliest duo, Nunu, and his finest pal and the final residing Yeti, Willump. The 2 do every thing collectively, with Nunu utilizing his creativeness to spin tales of journey to Willump.
However right this moment, that journey is actual.
We should be a part of Nunu and Willump as they enterprise throughout the treacherous Freljord seeking Nunu’s mom, Layka, and one thing she referred to as the Coronary heart of the Blue.
World’s Mightiest Musical Instrument
Nunu’s specialty is his magical flute, Svellsongur. Utilizing this flute, Nunu can play 4 completely different music notes to open doorways and passageways, allure creatures to make use of as platforms, and produce out the facility of magic ice, also referred to as True Ice, that you’re going to discover all through Freljord. Nunu might want to play these notes individually or typically together.
I truly suppose Music of Nunu might’ve gone deeper into Nunu’s use of Svellsongur. Whereas it is potential to play all 4 music notes without delay, you’ll seldom need to play greater than a mixture of two notes at a time. If Tequila Works did not need to go down this route within the story, I’d’ve been okay with more difficult musical targets for hidden unlockables. However given how quick the sport is, I can perceive there solely being time for one hidden tune to find.
The sport’s ending does depart a whole lot of room open for extra Nunu and Willump adventures, so if Tequila Works wished to up the ante in a future installment, I would not complain about it.
The Energy of Friendship versus Freljord
Whereas Willump could also be a mighty Yeti who does the heavy lifting (Actually), he and Nunu are a workforce and work finest collectively.
With the powers of platforming, snowballs, musical notes, and Yeti claws, the 2 should work collectively to traverse treacherous terrain, clear up varied puzzles and defeat enemies. As you get additional into the sport, you may want to mix as much as a number of of Music of Nunu’s fundamental recreation mechanics collectively to progress by means of sure sections.
Alongside the way in which, you should use every thing you already know to uncover hidden Yeti murals, assist unhappy Poros, and discover the stanzas of a tune left behind by Nunu’s mom.
Willump is the Bestest Boy
Companions in lots of video games, even in current-gen titles, are fairly inconsistent concerning high quality. We have all in all probability performed video games the place your companions are glorified knapsacks. They observe you want Brahmin and solely come to life if you work together with them.
Willump isn’t like this.
Willump will chase after butterflies and get annoyed when one lands on his nostril, however he cannot catch it. He’ll snatch a fish out of the closest physique of water or seize berries off a close-by fruit tree or bush and pop them in his mouth for a snack. He yawns and sneezes. He’ll scratch his again utilizing a wall. Should you’re busy determining a puzzle, Willump may plop down and take a relaxation.
Willump will typically make snow figures or paint on partitions. Willump loves snowball fights with Nunu most however will go off and begin (One-sided) snowball fights with random creatures. Willump looks like an precise residing companion and never simply an extension of the participant.
Willump’s AI can also be nice. Since Willump and Nunu rely closely upon one another to resolve puzzles, it could be troublesome if Willump wasn’t an clever Yeti. Fortunately for us, he’s.
Should you’re having bother along with your present goal, take a look at Willump. He’ll usually level at an object that may allow you to or imitate Nunu enjoying his flute to point that you must escape Svellsongur and play some notes. Once I wanted Willump to do one thing on his personal so we might progress, I by no means had any points with him.
Oh, and did I point out you possibly can hug Willump?
You’ll be able to hug Willump.
Paws to the Wall
As you’ll count on from a duo of an 8-year-old flute participant and a Yeti, Willump handles many of the preventing. And battle, he does.
Gamers accustomed to video games like Risen or Elex will get a fast grasp on the fight in Music of Nunu (Although the fight right here is much much less brutal, after all). Simply await an enemy to assault, dodge, do a combo, then repeat till they go down.
Willump has gentle and robust assaults and may seamlessly mix the 2 for quite a few combos. He also can do a ground-pound assault that additionally features as a dodge. Some enemies require Willump to make use of robust assaults to interrupt their guard first earlier than he can do injury. Different enemies will shield their allies, and you could take care of them first.
Nunu isn’t ineffective in fight. Nunu can launch snowballs at enemies to get their consideration and goad them into attacking. Because of Willump’s powers over True Ice, Nunu also can throw ice balls and enemies that briefly freeze them in place.
To remain alive, Willump can bounce or aspect sprint out of the way in which of enemy assaults. After depleting an enemy’s well being bar, Willump, and Nunu can end them off with one in all their many finisher strikes. If Willump’s well being is getting low, use as many finishers as you possibly can, as finishers restore his well being. Willump additionally can’t take injury whereas doing a finisher.
Restricted Fight however in a Good Approach
Music of Nunu isn’t like typical action-adventure/platformer video games the place you possibly can encounter enemies anyplace within the recreation world. Music of Nunu solely has Enviornment-style mob battles and boss battles.
Most mob battles, even the fight tutorial, are gauntlets of a number of waves of enemies. Since Tequila Works spaced them out, these gauntlets by no means get tedious. It is an issue in lots of video games that love throwing gauntlets at you (I am you, Prince of Persia: Sands of Time), so I am blissful Tequila Works did not make that mistake.
The boss battles are few in Music of Nunu, however all stand other than the others. League of Legends followers will likely be happy with some particular visitor appearances by some iconic League of Legends champions, not simply as allies however as enemies, too.
My solely actual criticism with the fight is that the ultimate boss battle is longer than I’d’ve favored. The fight mechanics in Music of Nunu’s boss battles do not change, which is ok since most are comparatively quick. However the closing boss battle has the least number of any boss battle within the recreation, and it goes on the longest. It is a worthy game-ending showdown, however not the excessive be aware it might’ve been.
Music of Nunu: A Easy however Thrilling Story
Music of Nunu is a healthful and simple coming-into-oneself story of a boy who all the time dreamt of being a hero and truly turning into one. There’s energy inside Nunu, nevertheless it takes slightly encouragement from a couple of mates and his mom for Nunu to comprehend how robust he actually is.
As Nunu and Willump inch nearer to their final objective and the stakes get increased, Nunu should rise above his fears, not only for himself however probably all of Frelijord.
A Story of Two Buddies
Nunu and Willump are two loners with out their individuals, and the sport would not shrink back from reminding you of that every now and then. However what Music of Nunu does much more is remind you that these two guys are finest mates. Even when issues get harmful, that does not cease Nunu and Willump from having enjoyable.
The most effective illustration of their friendship is what introduced the 2 collectively within the first place: a snowball battle.
There are a number of “official” snowball fights Nunu can have with Willump, however you possibly can have unofficial snowball fights with Willump at any time. And no, there is no “level” in doing this or achievement to unlock. You do it as a result of Nunu and Willump are mates, and it is enjoyable.
On the finish of the day, Music of Nunu is a narrative of two finest mates happening a grand journey collectively, and it doesn’t matter what Freljord throws at them, their friendship by no means wavers, and the enjoyable by no means ends.
Music of Nunu: A League of Legends Story – 8/10
Music of Nunu is fairly quick, however that is okay. It is simply the correct size and one thing you possibly can end in a weekend. It is splendidly charming, and performs out like a Disney film. In addition to a couple of notable exceptions, just like the endgame areas, which look deliberately bleak, nearly all of the sport’s environments are diverse and exquisite. Freljord is meant to be this brutal and unforgiving place, however you possibly can’ve fooled me after enjoying this recreation.
I by no means discovered something overly difficult, however the recreation would not outright maintain your hand, both. There is a wholesome steadiness of platforming, puzzles, and fight, and even a cool stealth degree in the direction of the tip of the sport. Nunu might need a future as a Splinter Cell.
Nice for the children, nice for the adults, and nice for the adults who’re children at coronary heart. It is a welcome addition to the expanded League of Legends universe and a very good pickup for any LoL fanatic. The Music of Nunu is unquestionably price listening to. I give it 8 blissful Poros out of 10.
