Solo Campaign Guide: Ruined King or LoL?

If you are asking whether you should play Ruined King: A League of Legends Story or League of Legends for a solo campaign experience, the answer is clear: Ruined King is the only real choice, because League of Legends has no solo campaign mode at all. Ruined King is a standalone, single-player turn-based RPG set in the League of Legends universe, while League of Legends is a competitive multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game with no story-driven single-player content. This article explains what each game offers, how they differ, and how to decide which one fits your gaming preferences.

What Is Ruined King?

Ruined King: A League of Legends Story is a single-player, turn-based role-playing game developed by Airship Syndicate and published by Riot Forge. It was released in November 2021 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S. The game is set in the League of Legends universe, specifically in the port city of Bilgewater and the Shadow Isles. You control a party of six champions—Miss Fortune, Illaoi, Braum, Yasuo, Ahri, and Pyke—each with unique abilities and playstyles. The story follows the group as they confront the Ruined King, Viego, who is spreading a magical corruption known as the Black Mist across Runeterra.

The game is designed for solo play, though it also offers a local co-op mode for two players. The turn-based combat system is similar to classic JRPGs but adds a lane-based mechanic where you can position your party members to gain tactical advantages. The game features an overworld to explore, side quests, and a deep progression system with skill trees and item crafting. It is a fully self-contained story that does not require any prior knowledge of League of Legends lore, though fans of the franchise will appreciate the references and character interactions.

What Is League of Legends?

League of Legends (LoL) is a free-to-play multiplayer online battle arena game developed and published by Riot Games, released in October 2009. It is one of the most popular esports titles in the world, with millions of active players. In LoL, two teams of five players each compete to destroy the opposing team’s Nexus, a structure located in their base. Each player controls a single champion from a roster of over 160 characters, each with unique abilities and roles (tank, mage, marksman, assassin, support, etc.). The game is played in matches that typically last 20–50 minutes, with an emphasis on strategy, teamwork, and mechanical skill.

LoL has no campaign, story mode, or single-player content beyond a tutorial and practice mode against bots. The lore of the League of Legends universe is told through external media: champion biographies on the official website, short stories, comics, animated series like Arcane, and other Riot Forge games like Ruined King. The game itself is purely competitive multiplayer, and the only way to experience the world is through these supplementary materials or by playing the other Riot Forge titles.

How to Choose Between Them

Your choice depends entirely on what you are looking for in a gaming experience. Here are the key factors to consider:

• Single-player vs. multiplayer: If you want to play alone, at your own pace, Ruined King is the obvious pick. LoL requires an internet connection and teaming up with other players (or bots).
• Story vs. competition: Ruined King offers a rich narrative with character development and a clear ending. LoL has no story; its appeal is competitive gameplay and improving your skill.
• Time commitment: Ruined King is a finite experience—roughly 30–40 hours to complete the main story and side content. LoL is an ongoing game with no end; each match is a new session, and the game updates constantly.
• Genre preference: Ruined King is a turn-based RPG. LoL is a real-time strategy/action hybrid. If you prefer tactical combat and exploration, Ruined King fits. If you prefer fast-paced, reflex-driven gameplay, LoL is better.
• Cost: Ruined King is a paid game (around $30 at launch, often discounted). LoL is free-to-play, though it has microtransactions for cosmetic items and champion unlocks.
• Learning curve: LoL has a notoriously steep learning curve due to its large champion pool and complex mechanics. Ruined King is more accessible, with a tutorial that eases you into the combat system.

Common Problems and Misconceptions

A common misconception is that Ruined King is a spin-off that requires knowledge of League of Legends to enjoy. This is false—the game is designed to be a standalone experience, and the story is self-contained. You do not need to know anything about the champions or the lore to follow the plot. However, if you are a LoL player, you will get extra enjoyment from seeing familiar characters in a new light.

Another issue is that some players expect Ruined King to have the same real-time action combat as LoL. It does not—it is turn-based, which may be a disappointment if you were hoping for a hack-and-slash adventure. Conversely, some LoL players try Ruined King and find the pacing too slow, as it is a narrative-driven RPG rather than a competitive match.

There is also a technical problem to be aware of: Ruined King had some performance issues at launch, particularly on Nintendo Switch, with reports of frame rate drops and crashes. Most of these have been patched, but if you are playing on an older console, you may still encounter occasional hiccups. LoL, on the other hand, is a well-optimized game that runs on a wide range of PCs, but it requires a stable internet connection and can be demanding on older hardware during team fights.

Story and Lore Comparison

The League of Legends universe is vast, with a rich lore that has been built over years through champion bios, short stories, and events. Ruined King is one of the few places where you can experience this lore in an interactive format. The game expands on the story of the Ruined King, who was first introduced in a 2021 in-game event called “The Ruination,� which was widely criticized by players for being poorly integrated into the main game. Ruined King, however, tells the story properly, with full character arcs and dialogue.

If you are a lore enthusiast, Ruined King is a must-play because it gives depth to characters that are often just avatars in LoL. For example, you see Miss Fortune’s leadership qualities, Braum’s gentle humor, and Yasuo’s internal conflict. LoL itself offers no narrative progression—each match is a blank slate, and the champions are just tools for gameplay. The only story content in LoL is the occasional seasonal cinematic or event, but these are not playable campaigns.

Gameplay and Combat Differences

The most obvious difference is the combat system. Ruined King uses a turn-based system where you and the enemy alternate actions. The unique twist is the “lane� system: you can place your three active party members in three lanes (top, mid, bottom), and each lane has different advantages against the enemy’s lane setup. For example, a top-lane champion might deal bonus damage to an enemy in the top lane, but take more damage from the bottom lane. This adds a strategic layer beyond simple turn-based combat, as you can switch lanes to exploit weaknesses.

LoL, by contrast, is real-time. You move your champion with the mouse and use abilities with keyboard keys. The combat is about positioning, timing, and reacting to enemy actions in seconds. There is no pause button; you are constantly making decisions. The two games appeal to different skills: Ruined King rewards planning and resource management, while LoL rewards reflexes and split-second decision-making.

Cost and Value

Ruined King is a premium game with a one-time purchase price. You get the full experience without any additional purchases—no loot boxes, no season passes, no pay-to-win mechanics. The game also includes a New Game+ mode, which lets you carry over your progress for a second playthrough with increased difficulty. This gives good value for the price, especially if you enjoy RPGs.

LoL is free to play, but it monetizes through cosmetic skins, champion unlocks, and battle passes. You can play without spending a cent, but unlocking all champions takes a long time (or real money). The game also has a ranked mode that can be addictive and sometimes frustrating, but it is a time sink rather than a financial one. If you are on a budget, LoL is the cheaper option, but you may end up spending money on cosmetics if you get invested.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I play Ruined King with friends?

Yes, Ruined King supports local co-op for two players on the same screen. However, it does not have online multiplayer. You and a friend can share the controller or keyboard to control different party members. The game is fully playable solo, and co-op is optional.

Do I need to play League of Legends before Ruined King?

No. Ruined King is a standalone story that does not require any prior knowledge of League of Legends. You will understand the plot and characters without ever having played LoL. However, if you are a LoL fan, you will notice references and cameos that add to the experience.

Is Ruined King canon to the League of Legends lore?

Yes, Ruined King is considered canon within the League of Legends universe. It expands on the lore of the Ruined King and the Shadow Isles, and its events are referenced in other Riot Forge games and the main game’s lore. However, the 2021 “Ruination� event in LoL itself was not fully canon, which caused some confusion. Ruined King is the definitive version of that story.

Which game has a better story?

Ruined King has a full story with a beginning, middle, and end, with character development and emotional moments. League of Legends has no story in-game; its lore is told through external materials. If you want a story, Ruined King is the clear winner.

Can I play League of Legends offline?

No, League of Legends requires an internet connection to play, even against bots. The game is always online, and you cannot play it without a connection. Ruined King, on the other hand, can be played entirely offline once downloaded.

Which game is more popular?

League of Legends is far more popular, with a massive player base and a huge esports scene. Ruined King is a niche single-player game that appeals to a smaller audience. Popularity does not necessarily mean better for you—it depends on whether you prefer a competitive community or a solitary adventure.

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