League Of Legends newest champion is Zoe, a chibi-inspired space girl who does not fit into the aesthetic of the game at all. I’m a firm believer that League has some of the best character designs for any MOBA, to the gritty dusk cloud that is Nocturne to the cheerful world of Yordles like Teemo, every single one feels like a part of the same universe. I cannot say the same for Zoe, who looks like the titular hero in Star Vs.The Forces Of Evil, rather than the Aspect Of Twilight.
In a world that’s trying to take itself more seriously, Zoe just doesn’t fit in. She feels less like a valid addition to the game and more like a corporate play, an attempt to appeal to the “anime” fan who likes Splatoon and characters with irises larger than their fingers. I’m a huge fan of the lore behind League Of Legends and the universe Riot Games has created. From the sands of Shurima to the ports of Bilgewater, Runeterra feels like a real place with real stakes on the line. I don’t even need to know why these champions are battling it out on Summoner’s Rift, I just accept the fact that a death ninja, mermaid and possessed archer all play on the same side.
The backstory behind League can get a bit convoluted, especially after the lore rewrite in 2014. Celestial beings known as Aspects watch over Mount Targon, the mightiest peak in the entire world of Runeterra. There are the Solari, champions of the sun who stand behind Leona, the Lunari, an ancient race with not many believers outside of Diana, the Rakkor, an indomitable race of warriors who are lead by Pantheon... and those are just the ones we know. There are even stronger Aspects who choose to use the mountain as their home, like Taric, Bard and Aurelion Sol. These celestial monsters are some of the most powerful, awe-inspiring, proud beings to ever wander the universe.
And then there’s Zoe, the newest Aspect added to this group of near-omnipotent powerhouses. She might look like a normal girl the age of Annie, but she’s actually an elder spirit, floating around the universe since who knows when. The cosmic space dragon known as Aurelion Sol, literally big enough to shoot galaxies, almost looks like her rival. Zoe has special interactions with Ezreal, who she has a crush on, Lux, who dates Ezreal so she’s jealous, and the dragon, who doesn’t really fit into this group. “I liked your stars, but you’re not the big deal you thought you were,” she says after slaying A. Sol.
There’s a place in League Of Legends for cute characters; I’m a huge fan of Yordles and Annie is my main. Still, there’s no need for an interdimensional traveler to look like a small girl who loves to play with her yo-yo. Why not go a little farther with the design, make her look a little less human and a bit more alien? Maybe I’m just a bit salty, but if you’re going to make an Aspect with near infinite power, try and have a bit more creativity in it’s design.
Do you think Zoe is a valid fit for League Of Legends or is she kind of out of place? Waste flash in a duel with a Fizz you swore you should have beat and then send us your match history.
