Platform(s): PC (version reviewed), Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series, Xbox One, PS5, PS4
Genre: 3D third-person platformer with puzzles and light combat featuring a cuddly yeti

From the developers that brought you the wholesome adventure puzzle game Rime comes this 3D third-person platformer starring League of Legends’ last-known mythical yeti and his child companion, the titular Nunu. If you need more melancholy filling in the form of an 8-hour platforming game with a mix of puzzles and simplistic combat, Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story could satiate that hunger.

Ice Brand

Song of Nunu’s basic premise involves Nunu and his big yeti pal Willump as they search for the mythical Heart of the Blue, which also has clues to Nunu’s missing mother. The duo brave through the icy landscape of the Freljord, leading to the Winged Mountain while also coming across League of Legends cameos like the heavily-advertised-in-trailers mustache-and-shield Braun. Oh, and fight a bunch of wolves along the way.

If there’s one fault to bring up in this game, it’s the fact that you don’t fight a huge variety of creatures in the game’s combat. Willump has your light and heavy attacks, you can dodge, and you can pull off finishers when your opponent’s in a stunned state. There are a few boss fights, but they’re not going to tax your skills. If you can master the basics, you can plough through the challenges.

Still, just focusing on that aspect is missing the taigas from the trees. Everything surrounding Song of Nunu’s design screams “wholesome” and fun-filled puzzle-laden adventure involving the boy and the yeti’s ice-based abilities. Throughout the adventure, Nunu and Willump will have the occasional snowball fights to ease the tension, have campfire dialogues, explore the icy ruins and snow forests in search of the exit, and do a ton of spelunking and climbing. Yes, both our heroes will need to do a lot of climbing, but thankfully the game adds in a mechanic where if you latch onto a ledge and press a button at the right time, your climbing speed gets a temporary boost.

While Willump is the brawn, Nunu is the brains, as well as the person with the unlimited supply of snowballs and a magic flute. The latter will have you playing parts of a song -with each note on the controller’s trigger buttons- to activate ancient contraptions, or unlock a new tune from a hidden wind chime as collectibles (among others like sad Poros you need to feed cookies too). While the notes aren’t numerous to memorize, it can get tricky to figure out which combined musical notes are correct until you practice enough times. Later puzzles will have you and Willump team up to reveal note sequences for the obligatory Simon Says music puzzles. They’re challenging, but not to the point where you’ll be completely frustrated; this is an all-ages tailored game after all.

What’s great about the entire Song of Nunu experience is that you’ll be waylaid by a variety of puzzles and brain teasers. You won’t find any repetition in everything that’s obstructing your way; there’s even a stealth mission that thankfully doesn’t wear out its welcome. Not to mention the story you’re getting from the duo and their escapades: you don’t need to be in-depth in League of Legends -game and lore- to understand and relate to the story of a kid finding his mom and his personal spirit quest alongside his last-of-his-kind buddy. Having said that, LoL fans will find a lot to love about the game’s portrayal and fleshing out of the Freljord and the Iceborn.

Stay Frosty

While not exactly as action-packed and detailed as the last two Riot Forge games, Song of Nunu deserves some accolade for being a little different in its 3D platforming and all-ages approach. Familiar? Yes, but not unwelcome in the slightest. Even the most icy of hearts will feel warm and cuddly if they persevere in this affordable and solidly put-together adventure starring a boy and his magic four-armed yeti.

Pros

• Wholesome narrative with a heartwarming conclusion.
• A good variety of platforming, spelunking, and puzzles to solve.
• Beautiful aesthetics.

Cons

• Simplistic combat that doesn’t offer too much of a challenge.

Final Score: 80/100

Review copy provided by Riot Games.