Project L is a free-to-play action game from Riot Games. This fighting title serves as a spinoff of the popular multiplayer video game, League of Legends (LoL). As such, it features characters from the massive game universe. However, instead of a battle arena format, you will be using these champions in one-vs-one battles with hybrid graphics.

While Project L starts with a limited roster of champions, Riot announced plans to add more and eventually catch up with its larger cousin, LoL. Imagine Guilty Gear X with DOTA 2 characters, with lore that touches the hit animated series, Arcane.

The League expanding into other genres

As League of Legends remains a massive hit, it has started to expand to other genres. The fighting title Project L was announced alongside the 3D adventure Song of Nunu: A League of Legends Story and The Mageseeker: League of Legends story. These new titles improve upon Riot’s growing portfolio of League games, such as the card game Legends of Runeterra and Ruined King; A League of Legends Story.

Since it’s a fighting game in the vein of Street Fighter and Guilty Gear, expect this game to be fast-paced and action-packed. It uses 3D models in 2D fighting setups, with the hybrid graphics giving a new, closer look at the top-view miniaturized champions in LoL. This spinoff also tries to retain each character’s unique traits, such as Darius with his axe or Jinx using his cannon. 

While there’s a wide range of playstyles to expect, this is severely restricted by its current selection. Since it is a free game, it is expected to follow the Riot tradition of rotating rosters. Of course, you can purchase other champions or unlock them through various in-game means. Other than that, the controls are surprisingly optimized, with smooth responses for complex fighting mechanics such as counters and juggles.

A fun new way to explore Runeterra

Project L marks Riot’s strong entry into the fighting genre, especially since the characters—their abilities, story, and designs—continue to make a strong impression among players around the world. There is still a lot to explore and examine, but its standing restriction is its limited and rotating roster of characters. Whether you’re an LoL or a fighting game fan, this is definitely for you.