Bandle Tale: A crafting adventure in the world of League of Legends

Much to everyone's excitement, Riot Forge announced today that pre-orders for Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story, a crafting RPG gem by Lazy Bear Games, are officially open!

For $24.99, fans can dive into the vibrant world of Bandle City on the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, GOG, and the Epic Games Store, starting Wednesday, February 21, 2024. Pre-order perks? An exclusive Bandle Scout Hat, Bandle Scout Poro, and more to enhance your cozy gaming experience. I mean, what's not to like here?

In Bandle Tale, players transform into a Yordle - the adorable inhabitants of Bandle City - and a portal network crisis threatens their world. The game promises an immersive experience, mingling crafting, gathering, and whimsical party-throwing, alongside beloved League of Legends champions like Teemo and Tristana.

I had the ever-so-wonderful opportunity to chat with Riot Forge's Creative Director, Rowan Parker, and Lazy Bear Games Co-Founder and Creative Director, Nikita Kulaga, about this excitingly new spin in the beloved League of Legends world, as well as watch some exclusive gameplay.

"You will literally save Bandle City with the power of friendship," Parker sums it all up, emphasizing the game's heartwarming theme. If you thought Song of Nunu was wholesome, wait until you play this little gem.

The game starts players off on their hero's home island, where players are introduced to the joys of simple things like knitting and crafting. "You have to gather and craft resources, you'll throw whimsical parties and then fulfill quests with other League champions, and you have to repair the magical islands and bring everyone together again." Parker explained, setting the tone for the unique adventures ahead.

As Parker himself noted, of course one of my first questions was about character customization, and I was so very pleased with his answer.

Customization is a central aspect, with players having the freedom to shape their character's appearance for the first time in a League game, right down to changing the hero's artificial leg for various bonuses. "It's the first time a Riot game is gonna let you make your own character," Parker added, highlighting the game's uniqueness. As a long-time League player, I am very excited about this aspect. You can also decorate you own little house!

As on par with all the RPG games we've always played, the skill tree in Bandle Tale is expansive, covering areas like farming, nature, and even locked-away magical skills. Parker explained, "We have tons of skills in the different branches," Kulaga explains. He goes on to detail that every crafting skill has its own respective spot on the skill tree, and they all represent everything in the adorable city of Bandle.

Another fun thing that I am obsessed with is the fact you can actually move your base around. Parker explains that exploration is made a lot easier in Bandle Tale since players can literally pick up their backpack-like homes and carry them throughout the many magical islands that are ripe for exploration. Done for the day? Plop your backpack house down and you're ready to craft, pet your Poro (yes, you get a pet Poro), host those magical dance parties to get all the good vibes needed to help Bandle City... You get the point.

If I haven't convinced you that you need to play this game yet, consider some more of Parker's words. "One of our core currencies of the game is basically good vibes."

The Deluxe Edition, priced at $29.99, includes a DLC bundle with a Poro Pet skin pack, Backpack House Skin Pack, and more. For the ultimate fans, the Collector’s Edition, available for $149.99, boasts Yordle figurines, a Bandle Center diorama Kit, and a plethora of other collectibles, alongside all digital content from the Deluxe edition.

You can check out all the details about the Collector's Edition on the Riot Merch page.

Bandle Tale is not just a game of mechanics - it's a world rich in culture and whimsy. "You will see a lot of different sides of a Yordle's life, what's important for their lives and why they're magical creatures," Kulaga elaborated. The game is set to appeal to a broad spectrum of players, from League enthusiasts to lovers of "cozy games." Hi, I am a League enthusiast and a lover of cozy games.

Bandle Tale: A League of Legends Story offers a world where crafting is key, parties are pivotal, and friendship is the greatest magic. I am personally very excited for this new adventure from what I've seen - it's a very relaxing game, with vibrant colors and very well-done graphics.

Get ready to explore Bandle City, where every stitch, every dish, and every party beat crafts a story of friendship and wonder!