GAME REVIEW | Action-Packed "Mageseeker" in a League of Its Own
The world of League of Legends is a massive one. What started out as a MOBA title has evolved into a franchise that’d rivaled the likes of anything Activision Blizzard has ever concocted. It’s even invaded other sorts of entertainment venues, ranging from chart-topping virtual musical acts to even an Emmy Award-winning animated series. But naturally, the best way to experience the world of League of Legends is to get hands-on with one of its games.
Although the main title can be really tough (and, quite frankly, intimidating) to get into, it’s in the spin-off titles where the League of Legends characters can stretch those muscles and expand their lore. Airship Syndicate’s Ruined King and Choice Provisions’s Hextech Mayhem offered unique and fun twists on some of these beloved characters. Digital Sun’s The Mageseeker continues that trend, and does so in ways that’ll appeal to those who’ve never even played a single round of LoL.
Taking place in the kingdom of Demacia, The Mageseeker focuses on Sylas, who’s spent 15 years in prison for a tragic accident. But the sounds of revolution hit the air, with Sylas breaking out of prison by taking advantage of a friend’s kindness. In the woods, many are hiding from the wrath of the Mageseekers, who seek to control other magic users and take away any sort of future they could have. Bent on revenge, Sylas leads a team to take down the Mageseekers, and bring a new era of peace to Demacia.
There are two ways you can deal with threats in The Mageseeker. The first is the old-fashioned way with melee and heavy attacks, with Sylas’s prison chains now working as a mighty weapon. These fighting skills will come in handy when dealing with non-magical enemies, such as archers and knights. But when it comes time to deal with spellcasters and behemoths, that’s when Sylas’s magic will come in handy.
As the narrative goes on, Sylas can learn and equip magic skills ranging from fire and water to electricity. The bad news is that you can only use these skills a couple of times before you have to replenish your mana with hand-to-hand combat. Fortunately, that’s where Sylas’s spell-stealing powers will come in handy, as you can take an enemy’s skill and use it against them or (more appropriately) other enemy Mageseekers with different skills. After all, when dealing with various kinds of enemies, what’s the point of using a power against an enemy a few times when you can use it to one-hit kill another!
It’s this aspect that makes The Mageseeker one that’ll have players be quick with the fingers. Jumping from enemy to enemy, Sylas always is on his toes when dealing with what the Mageseekers throw at him. One could take a bit to strategize on defeating these enemies, but Sylas isn’t a stop-and-think kind of anti-hero. Instead, the game allows you to let loose and cause the mayhem Sylas is just itching to create! In other words, it lets players have fun with the chaos that’s unfolding!
That’s not to say there isn’t anything thinking involved with Digital Sun’s spin-off. Having to upgrade skills and take on side quests to find more allies and new powers may be key to making the main missions are lot more tolerable to handle. Then there are the boss battles, which do require plenty of fast-thinking solutions to take them on without Sylas dying mid-fight. This is where the only flaw of The Mageseeker pops up: its controls.
At first, it would seem like fighting with Sylas is pretty simple to figure out. However, when forced to think on your feet, it’s easy to press the wrong button and find yourself using a spell too soon or accidentally drinking an HP potion when you weren’t ready to do so. Having to remember the locations of spells, grappling hook (which Sylas finds another use for his chains), and spell-stealing can sometimes be a hassle. Moments like this is when one’s gaming flow can be rudely interrupted, making it a challenge to regain that adrenaline you were feeling during an important fight.
Thankfully, The Mageseeker offers plenty to keep players interested. Its story is ripe with lore and character growth, with Sylas’s “petty” revenge evolving into a battle for peace & equality. Chatting with NPCs, you’ll find something to attach yourself to the allies of Sylas. (Or you might find a real pun king somewhere in the hideout.) Finding notes and diary fragments also adds to the importance of Sylas’s battle, as it’s clear that there are quite a few Mageseekers who are conflicted with the actions that they’re forced to do.
Visually, Digital Sun gives this League of Legends side-story a classic look. It brings to mind the old-school Sierra point-and-click games of the 90s, while at the same time giving it a modern action skeleton to maneuver with. Even though the game is far too powerful for a vintage IBM computer or a Super Nintendo, the game would’ve easily felt right at home with the games of that era. Also on-point is Garett Coker’s score, with every song adding a layer to the action and deep storytelling that’s being showcased.
Beating The Mageseeker: A League of Legends story will take most folks 8-9 hours to do so. Taking on the side quests and the like will add roughly 4-5 hours more for those aiming to be completionists. While it may seem sort for a modern retro-looking action RPG, it delivers a lot both gameplay and story-wise during your entire time playing it.
PROS:
- Exciting action from start-to-finish
- Strong skills and powers
- Terrific story, nostalgic visuals
CONS:
- Controls can be tough to memorize sometimes
FINAL THOUGHTS:
Even if you’ve never played League of Legends, The Mageseeker is an absolute must to experience. With its retro visuals, exciting gameplay, and world-building lore, Sylas’s tale offers plenty for lovers of action-RPG titles. It may not be revolutionary, but The Mageseeker: A League of Legends Story casts one hell of a spell that’s easy to be enchanted by!
FINAL GRADE:
Promotional consideration provided by Jacqui Collins of Riot Games. Reviewed on the PS4.
