Project F (Riot MMO) Closed Beta: First Impressions & Class Overview
Disclaimer: This info comes from the Closed Beta Phase 1. Everything is subject to change.
It exists. After years of silence, the “World of Runeterra” (Project F) is playable for a select few. We spent 40 hours in the beta, exploring the regions of Demacia and Noxus. Here is the verdict on the current state of 2026’s most anticipated game.
Combat: LoL Meets Lost Ark?
The camera is isometric (top-down), confirming the rumors.
- Controls: WASD movement (optional click-to-move).
- Feel: Extremely responsive. It feels like playing a League champion but in an open world.
- Skillshot Heavy: No tab-targeting. 90% of abilities are skillshots.
The Classes (Regions)
Instead of traditional classes, you pick an “Origin” and a “Style”.
- Noxian Might (Melee DPS/Tank): Uses axes and heavy armor.
- Playstyle: Darius-like. Stacking bleeds and executing enemies.
- Ionian Spirit (Healer/Support): Uses fans and magic.
- Playstyle: Karma-like. Shielding allies and tethering enemies.
- Piltover Tech (Ranged DPS): Uses hextech rifles.
- Playstyle: Caitlyn/Jinx. Long-range poke and traps.
The World Map
The map is enormous. No loading screens between zones within a region. Traveling from the capital of Demacia to the Freljord border took 20 minutes on a mount.
- Dynamic Events: Like GW2, events spawn randomly. We fought a Void incursion near a village that required 50 players to close.
Monetization Concerns
The beta shop is disabled, but the UI shows slots for:
- Skins: Obviously.
- “Convenience” Potions: XP boosts and Drop Rate boosts. This is worrying for a western audience, though standard for Riot’s other titles in Asia.
Verdict
The polish is undeniable. The combat is addictive. If they can nail the endgame raids (which were not available for testing), this will kill the competition. The beta runs until March 15th, so check your emails.
