Info about CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story™:

Official game description:
Digital Deluxe Edition
======================
The Deluxe Edition of CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story™ includes:  
\- Star Guardian Ekko Skin  
\- Ruined Ekko Skin  
\- CONVERGENCE Digital Comic and Art Book  
**To launch the Convergence Digital Comic and Art Book:**  
1\. Locate Convergence: A League of Legends Story in your Steam Library.  
2\. Right-click on the game, select ‘Manage,’ then select ‘Browse local files.’ This will open your Convergence Steam folder.  
3\. From there, click on the folder named ‘artbook.’  
4\. Select the Convergence Digital Comic and Artbook application to launch it.
About the Game
==============
**Rewind the Past, Control the Future**  
Traverse the sprawling city of Zaun as Ekko, a young inventor with a device to rewind time. He and his friends must work together to keep their city safe, but as danger looms and secrets come to light, Ekko realizes he can’t trust anyone—not even himself.  
Developed by Double Stallion Games, CONVERGENCE: A League Of Legends Story is a story-driven, single-player 2D action platformer featuring dynamic combat and unique exploration opportunities thanks to Ekko’s ability to travel through space and time. Rewind your actions to learn from your mistakes and outsmart each new enemy. Will it be enough to save Zaun’s future?  
**CONTROL TIME**  
Activate Ekko’s Zero Drive to turn back time. Then, use your knowledge of the future to adapt your approach to any challenge and get the jump on your enemies. Fluid, dynamic combat rewards precise timing and positioning.  
**DISCOVER ZAUN**  
Run, leap, and slide your way through the streets of Zaun. Meet champions, face down enemies, and locate never-before-seen sides of the Undercity.  
**BATTLE CHAMPIONS**  
Encounter League of Legends champions like you’ve never seen them before. Unlock new abilities and face rivals in a series of explosive battles to learn who’s with you, and who’s against you.  
Seize every moment in CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story.

Release date: May 23, 2023

Categories: Metroidvania, 2D Action Platformer, Time Manipulation, Single-player Story, Hack and Slash, Boss Rush, Action Platformer


- Hardware Profile: No data
Feature extractions:
- Community Price:
  - Community fair range: $15.00 - $20.00
  - Reasoning: The reviews repeatedly say the full price is too high for a short 8–10 hour metroidvania and recommend waiting for a discount. One reviewer considers a 30% discount acceptable, while another says even 50% off feels borderline overpriced, and a $7.50 sale price is praised as worthwhile. This places the community's fair base-game value below the current full price, clustering around $15–$20 USD: low enough to reflect the short content and heavy sale-oriented recommendations, but not so low that it ignores the positive reception at discounted prices.
- Playtime Metrics:
  - Game completion: 9.0h
  - Story completion: 7.0h
  - Session length: N/A
  - Endgame: N/A
  - Reasoning: The translated quote 'main story roughly 6-8 hours' supports a story completion estimate of about 7 hours. For full game completion, the quotes 'a playthrough lasts roughly eight to ten hours', '100% map and chest completion after about 8 hours', and a legendary 100% run at 22 hours show a common range around 8-10 hours, with outliers up to 22 hours, so gameCompletion is set to 9 hours. No quote provides a typical session length or a specific endgame-only hour figure, so those metrics are null.
- Time-to-fun:
  - Summary: Early combat can feel boring and traversal is slowed by late unlocks and backtracking, but enjoyment tends to arrive with more abilities; reports conflict, with some players enjoying it immediately and others saying it never clicks or later becomes frustrating.
  - Stance: Clicks after
  - Anchor: Unlocking more abilities
  - Time to anchor: N/A
  - Friction: Combat feels boring at first; Cluttered combat reliant on tanking hits and rewinds; Dash upgrade takes a long time to obtain; Hub world and backtracking are a slog; Long ability cooldowns hinder agility platforming; Repetitive enemy design and cheap moves force frequent rewinds
  - Unlock drivers: Unlocking more abilities improves initially boring combat; Growing arsenal makes later encounters more complex and demanding; Natural learning curve and experimentation make challenging fights fair and exhilarating; Progression encourages returning with new abilities to reach previously inaccessible areas; Rewind mechanic lets players undo mistakes and acts as a heal
  - Conditions: Tolerance for backtracking; Timing of traversal ability unlocks, especially dash; Whether the combat clicks with the player; Difficulty setting; normal can feel too easy for some; Expectations for game length and price; Willingness to fully map the game or pursue trophies; Engagement with the story and characters; Preference for combat complexity over repetitive enemy design
- Player Archetypes:
  - League Lore Devotee (sale)
    - Motivation: Experience Ekko and Zaun's story and see League of Legends characters adapted into a single-player action-platformer.
    - Playstyle: Story-focused playthrough that tolerates uneven mechanics because of attachment to the IP.
    - Experience: familiar
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: League of Legends fan; lore fan
    - Reference games: League of Legends; Arcane
  - Metroidvania Action-Platformer Enthusiast (buy)
    - Motivation: Enjoy tight 2D platforming, combat, boss fights, and Metroidvania-style exploration and upgrades.
    - Playstyle: Explores zones, collects upgrades, and seeks satisfying platforming and boss fights; compares the game to genre classics.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: buy
    - Labels: Metroidvania fan; platformer fan; Prince of Persia fan
    - Reference games: Ori and the Will of the Wisps; Prince of Persia; Castlevania; Soul Knight
  - Hardcore Challenge Completionist (sale)
    - Motivation: Test mastery through hard difficulty, boss fights, and achievement completion.
    - Playstyle: Replays at highest difficulty, chases achievements, speed and no-death runs, and seeks post-game goals.
    - Experience: veteran
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: hardcore players; achievement hunters
    - Reference games: N/A
  - Value-Conscious Sale Waiter (sale)
    - Motivation: Experience the game only when the price matches its content and length.
    - Playstyle: Patient purchase behavior; may play once for unique gameplay but avoids full price.
    - Experience: mixed
    - Purchase stance: sale
    - Labels: N/A
    - Reference games: N/A


Below are summaries of things people say about the game per category.
Each point is assigned a weight that represents how often it is mentioned across all reviews.
What players like:
- Stylish art and graphics (weight 0.27): The art style and character design are highly praised, with beautiful visuals and a spectacular graphical presentation for the genre. The visual choices are seen as cool and incredible.
- Faithful Ekko representation (weight 0.26): Ekko's abilities and character are well reproduced from League of Legends, making him feel authentic and fun to use. His kit is appropriate for the gameplay.
- Fun time-rewind mechanic (weight 0.22): The time-rewind mechanic is a highlight, allowing players to correct mistakes during combat and encouraging experimentation. It provides a unique and clever gameplay experience.
- Satisfying platforming challenges (weight 0.22): Platforming sections are tight, satisfying, and force players to think, with fluid movement and responsive controls. The parkour elements are well thought out and enjoyable.
- Great voice acting (weight 0.19): The voiceover work is frequently highlighted as good or great, adding to the overall polish and immersion. Players appreciate the quality of the audio performances.
- Progressive and smooth gameplay (weight 0.19): The gameplay is described as great, progressively improving, and incredibly smooth. Players find it flawless and highly enjoyable.
- Good and innovative mechanics (weight 0.19): The game mechanics are described as good, innovative, and well-distributed, with tight and simple controls. This contributes to a satisfying gameplay loop.
- Simple and engaging story (weight 0.19): The story is easy to follow, well-constructed, and engaging, with a straightforward narrative that does not require extensive reading.
- Well-used League characters (weight 0.14): Characters from League of Legends are charismatic and well-integrated into the game, with memorable appearances. Their abilities are implemented effectively.
- Immersive Zaun setting (weight 0.11): The world of Zaun is rendered with care and personality, perfectly capturing its chaos and verticality. The art and setting details add to the immersion.
- Good music and sound design (weight 0.11): The music, soundtrack, and sound design are generally well-received, contributing positively to the overall experience.
- Solid overall game (weight 0.11): Many reviewers simply describe it as a solid, nice game overall, indicating broad satisfaction without specific criticisms.

Common complaints:
- Camera causes motion sickness (weight 0.34): Jarring camera movements, including jerky transitions and strange angles, cause nausea and dizziness for many players. This makes the game unplayable for some.
- Overpriced for content (weight 0.33): Many reviewers feel the game is too expensive relative to the amount of content and playtime it offers. The price tag of around $30 is frequently criticized as not worth it.
- Weak and predictable story (weight 0.31): The story is considered weak, boring, and predictable, with underdeveloped characters and stakes that fizzle out. It fails to engage players emotionally.
- Not a true Metroidvania (weight 0.26): Despite being tagged as a Metroidvania, the game is highly linear with minimal backtracking and linear ability progression. Fans of the genre find it lacking in core Metroidvania elements.
- No fast travel system (weight 0.22): The absence of fast travel makes traversing the map tedious, especially when backtracking to collect missed items or after acquiring new abilities. This is a common frustration among players.
- Story ends abruptly (weight 0.14): The narrative is criticized for ending prematurely and abruptly, often right before the climax. This leaves players feeling unsatisfied with a rushed conclusion.
- Repetitive enemies and combat (weight 0.14): Enemies are extremely similar to each other, and combat becomes repetitive and frustrating. The game lacks variety in enemy design and encounters.
- Broken hitboxes and sluggish controls (weight 0.13): Hitboxes are often misaligned, and button controls feel unresponsive and sluggish. This leads to unfair combat and imprecise platforming.
- Rewind mechanic unclear (weight 0.13): The rewind feature can be frustratingly inaccurate and leaves the screen cluttered, making it hard to judge how far to rewind. This is especially problematic in high-pressure situations.
- Visual clutter obscures gameplay (weight 0.11): Excessive visual effects and background noise make it difficult to see characters and track what is happening on screen. This leads to a chaotic and confusing experience.
- Poor level design (weight 0.11): Level design is described as terrible and messy, particularly in combat sections. This contributes to a frustrating gameplay experience.
- Mediocre overall experience (weight 0.1): Some players describe the game as average or meh, lacking standout qualities. It fails to impress compared to other games in the genre.
- Inconsistent difficulty curve (weight 0.08): The difficulty fluctuates wildly between very easy and extremely hard sections, creating an uneven and often frustrating challenge.
- Single moveset throughout (weight 0.08): The action moveset remains uniform with only three basic attacks for the entire game. This lack of progression makes combat feel stale.
- Low health and high difficulty (weight 0.08): The protagonist has only 3 HP, leading to frequent deaths and a punishing experience. This is exacerbated by inconsistent difficulty and poor combat design.
- Unmemorable music (weight 0.07): The soundtrack lacks memorable tracks and does not enhance the experience. Players find the music forgettable.

Gameplay feedback:
- Time rewind core mechanic (weight 0.41): Players frequently mention a time rewind mechanic that lets them correct mistakes, with limited charges and roughly a 4-second window. It is described as usable in any situation, even at death, and is central to both platforming and combat.
- Platformer with metroidvania elements (weight 0.39): Reviewers consistently describe the game as a 2D action-platformer with exploration, platforming puzzles, and metroidvania influences. Some note it leans more toward platformer than full metroidvania.
- Engaging combat with abilities (weight 0.35): Combat is a major element, featuring boss fights, multiple enemies, and various abilities. Players find it quick, frenetic, and functional, with parry and dodge mechanics adding depth.
- Multiple difficulty settings available (weight 0.26): Players note the presence of multiple difficulty options, including a legendary difficulty and adjustable sliders for platforming that alter layouts. Some settings allow individual aspect tuning.
- Challenging precision platforming (weight 0.24): The game includes challenging platforming sections with precise and responsive controls, often combined with enemies. Platforming is a core part of the experience.
- Boss fights and enemy variety (weight 0.21): The game features boss fights, mini-bosses, and varied enemies. Some bosses are multi-stage, and enemy waves add challenge.
- Backtracking exploration (weight 0.21): Exploration includes backtracking, though some find it limited or not truly metroidvania-like due to linear maps. Backtracking is present but not a major focus for all players.
- Progressive ability unlocking (weight 0.19): Progression involves unlocking skills and gadgets that allow access to new areas. Abilities are acquired as the player advances through the game.
- Combat and platforming intertwined (weight 0.17): Moment-to-moment gameplay alternates between combat and platforming phases, with traditional jumping, puzzle solving, and fighting. The two elements are tightly integrated.
- Time manipulation in combat (weight 0.14): Time manipulation and rewind mechanics are used during combat to defeat enemies. The combat system heavily relies on time-based abilities.
- 2D side-scrolling perspective (weight 0.13): The game is presented as a 2D side-scroller with platforming action. This perspective is consistently noted by players.
- Achievements require multiple playthroughs (weight 0.1): Obtaining all achievements demands more than one playthrough and potentially speedruns or save backups. This adds replay value but can be tedious.

Performance notes:
- Runs on low-end hardware (weight 0.08): The game is highly optimized and can run on basic PCs, even being described as running on a calculator. It has no fps limitation, making it accessible to a wide range of systems.
- Performance issues on some PCs (weight 0.07): Some players experience lag on their systems, though the severity varies. There are also reports of two soft crashes, indicating occasional stability problems.
- Background scrolling jitter at high fps (weight 0.04): Even at 144fps with variable refresh rate enabled, the background exhibits scrolling jitter when the camera moves. This visual artifact detracts from otherwise smooth performance.

Recommendations:
- Best purchased on sale (weight 0.59): Many reviewers recommend waiting for a discount before buying, with several explicitly stating it is not worth full price. This is the most frequent and consistent piece of advice across multiple clusters.
- Recommended for League fans (weight 0.35): A significant portion of positive recommendations come from players who are already invested in the League of Legends universe. The game is praised specifically for its lore and characters, making it a strong pick for fans.
- Appeals to Metroidvania fans (weight 0.19): Several reviewers highlight the game's strength as a Metroidvania, recommending it to genre enthusiasts even if they are not familiar with League of Legends. However, some metroidvania fans may still prefer to pass.
- Generally worth playing (weight 0.14): Despite mixed feelings on price, many reviewers agree the game is worth playing and recommend it overall. This reflects a positive reception among those who have tried it.
- Controller enhances experience (weight 0.07): Using a controller is strongly recommended by some reviewers for a much better experience. This suggests that keyboard and mouse controls may be suboptimal for the game's design.

Other player notes:
- League of Legends Universe Setting (weight 0.43): The game takes place in the League of Legends universe of Runeterra, specifically the city of Zaun. It is a spin-off featuring Ekko and other characters from the franchise.
- Short Game Length (weight 0.39): Many players find the game to be short, with a playthrough taking around 6.5 to 15 hours. It is criticized for having no post-game content or replay value.
- Lore Connections for Fans (weight 0.22): The game offers background story and features known champions, making it a treat for fans of League of Legends lore. It includes many easter eggs and cameos.
- Canon Status Disputed (weight 0.19): The game's story is not considered canon to the League of Legends universe, especially after the Arcane show. Some find this disappointing.
- Comparisons to Other Games (weight 0.13): The game is compared to Prince of Persia for its vibes and is inspired by Ori and Hollow Knight.
- Low Budget Production (weight 0.12): The game appears to have a low budget and is developed by Double Stallion.
- Riot Forge Defunct (weight 0.1): Riot Forge, the publisher, has been discontinued due to low sales relative to investment.
- Enjoyable for All Players (weight 0.08): It is enjoyable even without prior lore knowledge, appealing to both League of Legends fans and newcomers.
- Chinese Voice Acting (weight 0.07): The game features full Chinese voice acting.

Emotions:
- Disappointment (weight 0.18): Players are disappointed by the game's messy combat, poor voice acting, and a nonsensical story that fails to engage. The short length, lack of follow-up content, and unfulfilled potential as a Metroidvania compound the letdown.
- Frustration (weight 0.16): Frustration stems from chaotic combat with poor visibility, broken hitboxes, and unfair enemy design that forces frequent rewinds. Technical issues like no fast travel, bad camera, and unresponsive controls exacerbate the difficulty and lead to motion sickness.
- Enjoyment (weight 0.14): Players enjoy the fluid gameplay, engaging time-rewind mechanics, and fun combat that rewards skill. The story, platforming, and exploration are highlights, especially for fans of League of Legends lore.
- Satisfaction (weight 0.09): Satisfaction comes from well-designed fights that feel true to Ekko's abilities, a rewarding difficulty curve, and a polished map. The game delivers a solid Metroidvania experience for LoL fans and is worth the time.
- Annoyance (weight 0.05): Annoyance is caused by repetitive enemies, tedious backtracking without fast travel, and minor UI issues like awkward language menus and easily skippable cutscenes. Grinding for achievements and forced multiple playthroughs add to the irritation.
- Excitement (weight 0.04): Excitement is driven by unique time-manipulation powers, a large world to explore, and a platforming difficulty slider that alters layouts. The story hints at future multiverse possibilities, and the gameplay is stellar.
- Appreciation (weight 0.02): Appreciation is for the clever integration of time rewind with Ekko's skills, balanced difficulty scaling, and full voice acting. The detailed art, Zaun atmosphere, and excellent story portrayal are also praised.
- Boredom (weight 0.02): Boredom arises from repetitive backtracking, cookie-cutter Metroidvania design, and a sleepy story with uninteresting characters. Combat and enemy variety are seen as lacking innovation.
- Love (weight 0.02): Love is expressed for the flashy gameplay, engaging story, and challenging max difficulty. The time powers, music, map, and overall quality make it a beloved experience.
- Nausea (weight 0.01): Nausea is caused by jarring camera movements, shaking during transitions, and flailing screen motion that induces motion sickness. The camera work is frequently cited as uncomfortable.
- Fun (weight 0.01): Fun is had from smooth gameplay, rewarding platforming, and flexible combat with all abilities unlocked. Playing on harder difficulties and roaming the map adds to the enjoyment.
- Regret (weight 0.01): Regret is felt after finishing a game perceived as low quality, short, and expensive for its playtime. The lack of replay value contributes to the feeling.
- Dislike (weight 0.01): Dislike is directed at nonsensical League of Legends character appearances, frustrating platforming, and unsatisfying combat. Obnoxious areas and disgusting enemies further diminish the experience.
- Confusion (weight 0.01): Confusion arises from chaotic aerial combat, screen-filling projectiles, and inconsistent parry tells. After rewinds, the screen often becomes unclear, making it hard to track position.
- Joy (weight 0.01): Joy is experienced from playing a polished, kinetic platformer with a clear identity. Completing the game with 100% map and chest completion brings a sense of accomplishment.
- Enthusiasm (weight 0.01): Enthusiasm is driven by the neat combat system, ability to create awesome combos, and a fast, intuitive platforming experience. Fans of League of Legends lore and Ekko are particularly enthusiastic.
- Sadness (weight 0.01): Sadness is caused by Arcane becoming canon, which makes this game's story feel like a fake history. The shutdown of Riot Forge and unplayable camera for some also contribute.
- Anger (weight 0.01): Anger is directed at developers knowing about a bug and not fixing it, as well as terrible combat design with low damage and keybind conflicts causing deaths. The lack of support post-launch fuels resentment.
- Dissatisfaction (weight 0.01): Dissatisfaction stems from the short length and sparse Metroidvania design, which feels lacking for the genre. The volume of content relative to price is also disappointing.
- Concern (weight 0.01): Concern is raised by softlock bugs, high pricing in certain regions, and the disbandment of the development team leaving the game without support. These issues affect the overall experience.}