I love how Lissandra is so close to getting it, and yet even when she gets it right she gets it wrong. She's admitted that she's not the Freljord's savior and Nunu is probably their best chance against the Watchers, but she still sees him as a weapon to be sharpened and wielded, much like she saw Willump at the beginning of the game. And yes, I agree that they were probably ordered to pull back, but give them credit. Nunu and Willump got a solid emotional arc, addressing their trauma and loss and gaining a new path in life.
I know Nunu can't reach very high... but that "Sight" comment is still a low blow even for him! I also realised a curious irony, it is the Blind One who guards the Watchers. I don't know if there was ever any intent on this, but it seems conspicuous.
I find it kinda neat as a piece characterization for Lissandra, that when she regains her sight, Nunu is the first thing she sees. And later in the post-credits scene she seems obsessed with Nunu to some degree. While she got her sight back, she has spent so long in the dark that Nunu is too bright, and she seems to become obsessed with him to some degree.
I think an implication is that the Winged Mountain is Anivia's corpse. There was her heart in the middle after all. And let's be honest: the ending is just set up for the MMO.
Anivia's absence is explained by the text of a few LoR cards. During her last appearance in recorded history she had to sacrifice herself to stop a stampede of Balestriders, which caused her to revert to her egg form. She's presumably been in that state ever since, waiting to be reborn once again.
Yeah, ending very much seems to promise more... Maybe there'd be a Braum story? The loneliness line is like a killer line to the eleventh power right there...
The emotional tone in this game ricochets back and forth faster than the average pinball and this video really demonstrates it, I think. We have the emotion of the Ramshara sequence and Nunu realising what this place means to Willump, leading nicely into the scene out in the snow, and then suddenly Braum shows up and everything's cheerful and bombastic as they escape, as if Nunu didn't just narrowly avoid freezing to death two minutes ago. The whole infiltration sequence never quite seems sure whether it wants to play the horror of "you are a tiny child in a very big fortress full of people who will kill you" seriously or undercut it with Nunu's constant monologue and outright shouting in places. They get knocked into the bottom of the Howling Abyss, which as you say is very much a PLACE YOU SHOULD NOT BE, but before anything interesting can really be DONE with that, Lissandra's here time for bullet hell boss battle! I know you said it was nice to have an actual boss battle but I can't help but feel like there was a missed opportunity to work Svellsongur in there somewhere - like, say, when Lissandra corrupts Willump with Dark Ice? Have Nunu play their song, the one he's been working on for the whole game, and right when it almost looks like it's working, when it ALMOST looks like Willump's about to break free - THAT'S when Willump knocks Nunu down one last time, breaks the flute, and sparks that last little bit with Layka and the reveal of what the Heart of the Blue actually is. And then of course the weirdness in the ending segment but you already covered all of that. It's just... a game that doesn't quite seem to know what sort of tone it wanted at any given time, here, and it left me feeling off-kilter every time it swapped over.
remember Braum can't break the shield. not because the shield is so heavy can't carry it... he toss and punch it like no other. the Shield was never said to be heavy just "indestructible" Braum have to break the "mountain" around it to get in to save the child. then use the shield to cover for the cave collapse and more.
I didn't pay attention to credits before, and now when I notice a part for mentioning pets both alive and gone.. It's so wholesome that they did it. You cannot kill a story indeed
I do agree that the ending felt incomplete with all that abrupt interruption of Braum, but I also think that one element of the ending was pretty interesting (be it intentional or not, might not have been): Nunu restores Lissandra's sight just for a moment. Sight is normally associated to an individual´s perspective, how they feel and think. The fact that she was temporarily healed, to me, was a nod to the potential that Nunu has, something that still needs development and also something that still is not enough to completely change Lissandra's perspective (in the end, she's still blind). But she did admit that she was wrong about a lot, so that experience impacted her at some level. Anyway, just thought that it was something that made it less of a frustrating ending, and changed the status quo at least a bit.
It's so frustrating because no matter what games Riot forge makes and what stories they tell, the end result will always change little to nothing in the grand scheme because they don't want to have to change or make champions in the MOBA outdated. This game was a very nice experience and had some great moments but in the end it felt like no progress was actually made.
Well they're going to have to with Arcane and it's writers at the helm of all the lore now. They can't stay stagnant. (Honestly, it's so easy to have different versions of the same character in the same game, I don't know why they just don't blame time dilation for it.)
I have to agree. It feels like those filler episodes in a series that adapts other kinds of media, where you can't really feel that characters are in danger because well, they have to be alive for the sake of the main plot. Here they can't kill Willump, Nunu can't really change in any major way etc.
That ending felt very Marvel-esque to me. Braum cutting the story of via bathos and an after credit scene with a villain monologuing to tease a sequel while also soft-resetting the status quo ... it works, but its a bit frustrating if you've seen stuff like that too many times - especially if that sequel is highly unlikely to ever happen.
I agree that there were ideas that were cut. And the one I feel the most is the heart of the blue, I think it was meant to be Anivias Egg until quite late in the developing, mainly because of the pedestral. That thing was not designed for a crystal, the round shape, the curved shell, that thing looks like a place you place a sphere or ... an egg. Maybe Nunu was supposed to inherit Anivias Power until she was ready to reawake or even completely give her spirit up to Nunu.
Honestly when Lissandra sees Nunu and Willump when she regains her eyesight for the first time I reallyyy expected that to be an emotional moment of witnessing companionship that she once held for her sisters. When we saw that statue having an endless flow of tears, I expected that by the end, Lissandra would break down to some degree. In all her stories she always seems like she teeters on the edge of devastation that her methods are limited and knowing the people she sacrificed were merely bandaids on the world ending threat. I expected vulnerability, and for a moment, just a moment, her grief over the loss of her sisters. I am fine with Lissandra not entirely changing her perspective from one fight that just isnt realistic. But I expected more of a reaction that her initial shock and Braum fumbling in to interrupt the moment.
I can imagine a cut scene that was something along the lines of Lissandra having a flashback after seeing Nunu and Willump's relationship of her own sisters and the choices she made, and maybe a connection to how both Lissandra and Braum were both "heroes" that try to do everything alone to reach the epiphany that maybe there is hope to win against the void and want a redo of the alliance vs void battle.
it feels weird the ending lissandra gaining her sight again even for a few minutes felt like the start of a redemption "or similar" arc she's seing that nunu and willump can change everything the expression in her face, the framing it felt like she was about to say that she's wrong but at the end they doubled down on a post credit scene idk, maybe it was the intention from the start, but it felt weird
It’s still so funny to me that Ragnarok was like “Thor loses his hammer, and his eye. The movie ends with him now having to lead his people as a king.” And then Infinity War was like: “NEW HAMMER. NEW EYE. ALSO FUCK THAT KING SHIT, THE ASGARDIANS GET BUTCHERED AND THOR IS ALONE AGAIN.”
I honestly hope that the ending teases that one day we'll actually get the big void event we need. Imagine Ruination but even bigger, tho speaking of Ruination I would be worried if they can do it justice.
I loved this playthrough, they really made such a cute and fun game with this. The only thing bothering me throughout the story is feeling like the VA for Layka being the same as the Crimson Disciple in Legends of Runeterra, which is so specific but I'm not able to shake the thought. Thank you for playing this one Skyen!!
I agree … i felt the end was strange. What is the third option ? We don’t know … Lissandra was saying the time was short, but she did let them go. Yeah something is missing from the ending. We’ll see
As someone whose experience with LoL and Runeterra is basically just Arcane and your videos I didn't watch this series initially because I kinda just thought I wouldn't get it, but I'm so glad I did because what a wonderful little story. Willump is too fucking cute and his relationship with Nunu is so heartwarming. I've also always felt ice biomes can be a challenge to make feel alive and interesting and they did a great job with making the freljord feel alive. It is a shame that Riot can't seem to commit to a direction or follow through on projects because the more I learn about the world the more Runeterra seems to be just brimming with story potential that is never acted upon. From what I can see even just the freljord itself could be its own focus with plenty of interesting stories to tell, let alone adding in all the other regions of runeterra. I could see just the story of Nunu and Willump having it's own series of games or an animated series or a comic or even a novel series, it just feels like there's so much there.
Status Quo in a Setting can be incredible frustrating especialy when the Company who Hold on to it then makes such a poorly thought out idea like declaring "Arcane" Canon. But yeah that Anivia never made a appearance was strange with how important she was for the narative in comparison to her brothers.
@@foke449 because Arcane changed alot from the main universe. sure its a masterpiece on its own, but there's no reason to just retcon all the good thing about the main universe lore. For example, Ekko's parents are a good chunk of his story, probably the best part tbh, and they dont exist in Arcane. Making Arcane canon mean deleting all that good stuffs, for all 165 champions
Riot forge games are amazing up until the very end of it, when everything turns back to the status quote and you are just pulled out of it, just like how it happens with the Mageseeker.
When willump transforms it plays similar drums to Gnars login and overall has a similar design to mega gnar, I wonder if Gnars transformation is connected to the yetis
Yes he is, in Gnar's lore it says that he lived with the Yetis because they look like big Yordles, and because he is a yordle, he adapted to living with them, gaining his mega Gnar form, In the larger murals that we see in Ramshara of the Yetis, there is a small drawing of Gnar, which also proves that Willump knew him, since he was the one who designed the murals.
A thought. What if Lissandra put the mask back on, but there was a definite crack in it, by Willump's claws or the ice IDK. Don't have the healing be undone, but have it be that she put the mask back on, blinding herself WILLINGLY, because she has gone so long seeing the way the void taught her that she can't so easily slip back into any other way of being. Then if you want her monologing at the end, have it be sort of tinged with desperation, because for one moment, she saw and she saw hope, a future that wasn't doomed. She can still talk about how she wants the power but moreso she could slip, her mask could crack and she could linger on thoughts of Nunu and what he could represent for her, for all of the Freljord. Her view is shaken, and although she'd blinding herself willingly now, there is a crack in that facade, a hope for change to come. It's not a major change, but a little something could be nice.
I think the reason anivia didn't made an appearance here is because a piece of her heart is "the heart of the blue" she created the magical version of yetis, she created the true ice, if anivia wanted she could stop whatever is happening in the howling abyss, but that would be to easy
The frostguard that said Braum's reputation was built on lies really sounded like Jack, which if it is the same VA it'd be really funny cus it's also Braum's
A lot of praise for Nunu’s breath control but I think his ability to do incredible jumps that professionals might struggle with is being slept on. Regarding Anivia I wonder if part of the reason of how the story handles her is because Riot considers her to be in a similar state as pre rework Volibear. Basic premise is there but the details haven’t been fleshed out such as narrative arc and perhaps even her modern design should be. Granted I could be full of it.
Imma start writing my impression before hearing yours. The pacing of that final act was... very weird. It feels rushed, some cuts are a bit too quick... Short ellipsis, absurdly long ellipsis (they got out of the Howling Abyss very easily...). In the beginning I could forgive it: we don't have Nunu with us anymore, we want to get back to the gameplay loop quicker. And yet, the pacing doesn't get better in the end. Feels rushed. Which is a shame, because god that game was emotional. Like wow. It's not hard to know where the story go, it is not trying to hide it of subvert our expectations, but when it hits it hits hard. It feels like we are not told the story, Nunu is told a story we are mature enough to understand well quicker than him, and yet we follow is pace patiently because he is so damn cute and his chemistry with Willump is just so damn charming. The mother and Nunu sprinkling story through art and crafts all throughout his journey, knowing that it is one that he will do some day, makes the world feel a bit smaller, but I think it works very well with the idea that his family is teaching him very slowly what is this world and what is his role in such world. I was kinda expecting a bit more gameplay with Braum than just the shieldsleigh part, but I also understand why we got that stealth segment instead. That solution is... very meh, clearly the weakest of the game (I mean guards just checking out the gongs on repeat is just a bit too absurd for my suspension of belief to accept that), but it is probably better to make us feel small and weak than to have "budget Willump" to replace him when he's gone. I had literally nothing to say on the previous chapters, except that they were very good and your comments during gameplay were making the experience all the more enjoyable, so all in all a very good game, with a powerful story, great art direction, cool hat tips to the main LoL game. I am in tears, but also very frustrated on how the ending feels rushed. Like, this is the song of Nunu. And they break his flute in the end! I know we already had the absolutely breathtaking rhythm minigame in the previous chapter, but how can you end such a game with a boss fight and absolutely no song?? I soooo wanted Nunu to just bring out Svelsongur while Nunu and Lissandra were DBZ energy sphere battling. Buuuut... yes. Svelsongur and the Heart of the Blue is healing, not a weapon. It makes more sense this way. But then we, as the player, are completely pointless in the final confrontation, we can't do anything to bring back Nunu, Mom comes back to Deus Ex Machina the situation and there is no gameplay element associated with that. So frustrating. So close to be an exemplary game all throughout. Ok, now back to the video. Thank you for this series Skyen, that was really great. If it wasn't for you I would have probably missed this beautiful game. I am very grateful. Now let's hear what you have to say about it...
Things I liked about this game. Confirming that the crystal from Nunu's color story was the heart of the blue. The mural showing that Willump is a really talented artist. How the chimes revealed the fate of Nunu's mom. The music was absolutely gorgeous. Not a perfect game but still a pretty darn good one.
I think the reason the game ends so abruptly and all is because Riot wanted to make this game 100% canon, since theyre doing that overhall on the lore and everything
imagine if riot doesn't do reworks, or if they just mailed the rework in...we'd nvr have gotten this. Keep investing in your characters, stories, and IP Riot pls! IG Lissandra kinda got what she wanted bc Nunu and Willump refroze the watchers place in their fight. But they didn't show them reascending the frozen abyss. Needed Anivia... Nunu 2? It was always gonna be harder to change her view point, she's been like this for THOUSANDS of years, id expect her to be stubborn about it
No one, literally no one is going to gripe about the hoakey 90's dialogue? "Why do you persist, child?" "ReMeMbEr WhO yOu ArE" "YOU. CANNOT. DEFEAT. ME." I just fucking can't.
true bravery she said. I heard cowardice-ish. I love Braum so much what a wholesome chad. 55:35 ARAM LETSGOOOO I mean Nunu& Willump is 1 champion already. we have Braum and Lissandra
1:33:42 sadly I wouldn't doubt the lore team not wanting another confessions of a broken blade scenario in a game that is partly supposed to get more people invested in their IP
I am also dissapointed with the abrupt ending, but I have hope that they cut some content or the game in gneeral is setting up a void invasion (maybe maybe a riot mmo expansion). I mean we got an updated void map in league and other stories also seem to set up about a void event
When all you see is doom, you'd make a deal with the devil... or something like that, the saying goes... ~32:25 - OH, nonononono... No Trolley Problems. Eff that noise. If we're doing the dumb 'let's see if this kid is a sadist' questions, can we at least do the 'cabin in the woods' thing? Or the 'splitting/sharing apples one'? Anything but that crappy trolley problem. >:P Whole fortress seemed a little short. BUT... for what it was, it WAS good. Like a direct-to-video 80s kids movie... ran out of budget. I'm kidding, but it's probably true... xP Also, I feel like Braum was just pointing out that Nunu and Willump were powerful together, but DAYUM that was sad. Braum, you need a hug? :/ I feel like the plan was we do our last talk with Mom, we call down Anivia, and Lissandra just... loses her marbles at the sheer sight of a kid calling down A GOD... and then we walk away scott-free after Braum does his comedy beat. Amongst other things that could have happened. Lissandra was supposed to have a villainous breakdown. She was supposed to literally not believe what she saw. She was supposed to either blue screen COMPLETELY (no talking, no movement, possibly faint) or scream like an absolute mad woman. That fight was supposed to break her somehow. I'm not mad. This is Riot we talking about... -It's not Convergence. We have a new bottom of the barrel...- Either way, I'm down for a sequel. You know, if and when... :v So, analysis, when? -I'm kidding... until I'm not. :v-
Spolier warning To me, it feels like the 3 options the game were setting up was 1) Willump dies to save the Freljord 2) They escape and the Freljord is doomed 3) The secret third way. The secret third way feels like it was intended to be Willump's Ult refreezing the barrier against the watchers, especially with Lissandras power too (The two orbs of power scene) then they freeze it over. But Lissandra, being Lissandra wants a more permentant solution so she tries to still steal the power from Nunu/Willump and in a fit of overwhelming odds Nunu restores her sight for a moment to see the Watchers have been resealed. Perhaps then Braum comes in and sees Lissandra being aggressive and overbearing to Nunu to give his power so she can see, and he Ults her and they escape. That feels like a more fitting end and the status quo doesn't really change. Nunu and willump are free, Braum is a protector, Lissandra is still obsessed with power, the Freljord is once again a few years safer from the Void. The only thing that changes is motivation ones. Nunu no longer wants to save his mother, just carry on her spirit. Willump rather than being a friend is a brother and guide to help hone Nunu's power of the heart of the Blue. Lissandra now knowing there is another way, could still seek them in a deseperate attempt to use their power for good still, but her main focus on the power is to restore her sight. The world doesn't change just the goals of the champions do. In the same way a lore story does. I understand big things like (theoretically) restoring Lissandras vision, making Willump dead/feral and making Nunu have Godlike powers would change the world, but i think my concept for the third secret way of events arent unrealistic.
I do hate that the stories of most of these riot forge games all look like they are forced into cliffhangers in a way. In this one's case at least, i dont think it stings as hard since its building up to what we now know is probably gonna be a void event for league of legends. So, if there's a time, now might be the best. But I am worried about some of the other stories or plot beats left unfinished in other games. I'm desperately hoping Mageseeker is still canon for example, cuz that game left off with Sylas having what could be an adoptive daughter, or at least an apprentice, with Rayn. That's something much bigger than Lissandra changing her focus on Nunu over willump when looking for ways to combat the void at least. I'd also mention convergence but... that's a much bigger can of worms. Both with that game's story, and also the fact that its stuck between Universe and Arcane.
Watching this after the news that riot forge has been extremely downsized is kinda depressing. This game show potential of what riot could do with the lore they created for league of legends but they basically said screw expanding on lore let’s just focus on the main game and arcane. Hopefully arcane will eventually branch out beyond piltover and zaun.
its so annoying it feels like nothing can ever happen to any character. No Death, No change of mind, no real change for years. It feels like gettin blueballed by all riot forge games. also i truly hate stealth section in non stealth games. At least now nunu has a obesessed fangirl, everyone stills does the same as before the game.
The marvel stuff made me so angry... I spent money on 2 comics that might not even be really cannon, the shen father thing was really bad tho so it wouldn't be a bad thing if they ignore it
I completely disagree with your interpretation of the ending, I prefer the impact of subtle reactions that say so much. I found the ending perfect for this scale of a story, this isn't some epic story of the freljord, this is a story of Nunu discovering who he is and accepting his mother's fate. Lissandra feels very much not status quo, she has changed her perspective A LOT, she no longer thinks herself the savior but she isnt a completely different character... I don't like when one moment makes a character completely act and think differently, especially when Lissandra wasn't entirely wrong about the threat she was trying to stave off.
She were not defeated, her health bar were more like her patience lol, she even said "you can't use ice to defeat it's queen" actually what made her stop is that Anivia's heart healed her eyes for a second
