Arcane Review Is Not Just For League Of Legends Fans (But They Will Love It)

Arcane is visually stunning show on Netflix based off of the video game League of Legends — fans will love it, but so will non-fans and here is why.

Arcane is based on the mega popular video game League of Legends, however you do not need to have played the game to enjoy this one. Speaking as someone who played it what feels like a lifetime ago before life, kids, and adulting got in the way, this series made me eager to dive back into it.

There is a lot here that longtime fans, and new fans, of the games will love — but the story and visuals are enough to captivate nonfans right from the start.

This series is split into three acts, all dropping at different times on Netflix. The first act is three episodes and it should be said that this review is based solely on the first four episodes of Arcane. So the entirety of act one, and then the first episode of act two.

Sure, things could go south and the series could fall apart, but I truly do not see that happening.

Act one of Arcane is a great way to set the scene — it shows the haves and the have nots, Piltover and Zaun. It gives a background to the Champions that League of Legends gamers know and love, but also sets up for some jaw dropping character arcs and twists that some viewers will not see coming.

There is action, mystery, intrigue, and a whole lot of heart too. 

Episode 3 will likely break your heart, at least a little bit. And those who are sensitive like me, well, get ready to cry your eyes out. There is a lot going on in that one. It is action packed and completely insane, but heart wrenching as well. It feels like a punch in the gut. And then viewers are stuck waiting a week to see what happens next. 

With Netflix shows viewers are used to being able to binge a complete season, but this is an interesting switch up with Arcane. Splitting it into three acts feels smart with this series. As frustrating as it might be to have to wait, it allows viewers the time to really sit with what is going on and take it all in. 

Even if that annoys you, there is a lot to love about this series. Not only are the visuals absolutely stunning, but the action is incredible. There are some fight sequences that will have you completely in awe of it all. The story itself, and the writing, that is what really shines though.

Yes, even more than the amazing visuals, seems crazy, right?

This is a story of those who have and those who don’t. It is a tale of two sisters. But it is also so much more than that. After these last few years seeing people split ways because of differing opinions that are just too much to get past, hits home.

On that same note though, it is nice to see that sometimes people from opposite sides of the fence know they need to work together to fight a common evil. 

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I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the incredible soundtrack that Arcane has as well. It starts off with the theme song — Enemy by Imagine Dragons, which is perfect — and it just gets better from there. Every episode has its own time to allow a song to really, truly, shine and take over. And each and every one of them will give viewers chills.

So why does Arcane work as well as it does? The answer is simple. Riot Games took this project on themselves. They didn’t lease it out and allow another company to do it. These people have poured their heart and souls, their blood, swear, and tears into League of Legends, so of course they are going to the do the same with Arcane.

The shows feels like a natural connection and back story to the game because it is all created by the same people, the same teams. The game was a labor of love and so is Arcane. It explores relationships and dives into the lore of it all.

We see new characters and learn more about the ones that have already existed in this world. At the same time, it kicks open the doors for many more stories from the land of League of Legends. 

If you know these characters already, you will love getting to know them better, learning about their past, and taking them all in. If you don’t know them, well, now is the perfect time to get introduced to them.

There is going to be a big surge in League of Legends gamers, I can all but guarantee that.

About Arcane

Arcane dives into the delicate balance between the rich city of Piltover and the seedy underbelly of Zaun.

Tensions between these city-states boil over with the creation of hextech — a way for any person to control magical energy – in Piltover; and in Zaun, a new drug called shimmer transforms humans into monsters. The rivalry between the cities splits families and friends as Arcane brings life to the relationships that shape some of League of Legends’ famous champions including Vi, Jinx, Caitlyn, Jayce and Viktor.

Based on the world behind the game League of Legends, the animated event series features a complex world filled with moral decisions, breathtaking animation and suspenseful storytelling.

The first act of Arcane is available to watch now on Netflix.

Act One (episodes 101, 102, 103) – Saturday, Nov. 6 at 7:00 pm PT
Act Two (episodes 104, 105, 106) – Saturday, Nov. 13 at 12:00 am PT
Act Three (episodes 107, 108, 109) – Saturday, Nov. 20 at 12:00 am PT