Games to Play if You Love Arcane But Not LoL

The hype for the second season of Arcane has probably dwindled a bit, and if you’re a fan, rewatching is always an option. But if you’re a gamer yourself, you’re probably wondering if it’s finally time to get into League of Legends (LoL).

However, let’s be honest: LoL isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. We can’t even say it’s the crown jewel of eSports, and it takes a while actually to be good at this game. If you consider yourself a laid-back gamer, playing LoL probably won’t satisfy the Arcane fan in you.

Why You Probably Enjoyed Arcane So Much

The thing about Arcane is that it has a deep narrative and well-developed characters. The series also weaves together themes of power, corruption, and resilience in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat even if you know nothing about the game the series was based on.

When Christian Linke, creator of the Arcane series, was asked by Cinema Blend about this, he said, “I think we worked hard to tell a universal story. I know that everyone says that. But I think at the end of the day, there is a story of two sisters, where it’s about the dynamic of a bigger older sister, and a younger sister. I think that’s very relatable to a lot of people…anyone who has siblings knows what that is like.”

Linke also mentioned the other relevant characters in the series. “For Jayce and Viktor, it’s also sort of central to the story; it’s about that common dream of two people who work on something together, but kind of drift apart over time, as this dream becomes bigger and bigger and bigger.

“I think that’s really what the fundamental story is, that it’s relatable. If you then kind of pepper in Hextech, and technology, and arcane magic, all these things, that’s set-dressing. At the heart of it, it’s a character story,” he explained.

But any fan would also agree that aside from the investing stories Arcane has, the animation of this series is also on fleek. The unique blend of 2D and 3D animation, with its cel-shaded style, is nothing short of a visual feast. Every frame feels like a meticulously crafted piece of art.

Go on, go to Netflix, find a random Arcane episode, and skip to a random scene. Hit pause, and appreciate the beauty because it took a lot just so you can enjoy that.

But LoL Isn’t Exactly Arcane

Yes, even if Arcane and LoL share the same universes, they offer you distinctly different experiences. LoL is a MOBA game, so it’s all about competitive gameplay, team strategies, and matchmaking.

There’s no story to tell there unless you want the drama of eSports teams popular in the LoL universe. You’re better off with an eSports betting predictions app to support your favorite teams if ever you end up having one.

But if you’re ready to immerse in a new game with a brand new universe that can give you the feeling you get when watching Arcane, here are some titles that might be worth your time:

Dishonored Series

The Dishonored series, crafted by Arkane Studios, is a must-explore for fans of the steampunk genre. Beyond its captivating aesthetic, the game weaves in supernatural elements that elevate the experience. With its rich storytelling and choice-driven narratives, Dishonored promises an engaging adventure that’s sure to captivate your imagination.

The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt

RPG fan? Then you should know that the 3rd instalment of The Witcher series is another great option. It’s an open-world game that’s rich in stories (and secrets) and has a dark fantasy setting. Okay, it’s not steampunk, but with how immersive the world is in this game, that won’t matter.

The Wolf Among Us

If you mostly care about the art style of Arcane, then you’ll have a blast playing The Wolf Among Us. This episodic adventure game by Telltale Games features a cel-shaded art style and a gritty, noir-inspired story.

It’s a great choice if you enjoy narrative-driven games with a dark twist. Also, just like Arcane, you’ll find familiar characters here. This game has popular fairytale characters like Snow White, Beast, Beauty, and many more.

League of Runeterra

Now, if you just can’t help but miss your favorite Arcane characters, but can’t stand MOBA games, then you might want to try League of Runeterra. This is a card game by Riot Games, and it features the lore and characters from the Runeterra universe.

Final Thoughts

There are tons of titles with similar art styles alone like Tales of the Borderlands, The Walking Dead (Telltale Games), and Sifu. The bottom line is that there are more games you can explore while we wait for more LoL-based shows on Netflix. Spoiler Alert: There will be Arcane spinoffs!