League Of Legends' Mobile Game Is Surprisingly Fun

League of Legends developer Riot Games has released a new endless runner called Blitzcrank's Poro Roundup you can play through your web browser or mobile device. It's more fun than you'd expect.

In Blitzcrank's Poro Roundup, players take on the role of everyone's favorite (or least favorite) robot Blitzcrank. He has to rescue Poros, little harmless furballs, from the massive monster Baron Nashor. Players run from side to side to snag these Poros with their rocket-propelled fist. They can also run into the furballs to goose them forward and buy themselves some time.

If the Poros slip by him, Blitzcrank loses health. If he loses all of his health, the game's over. Fortunately, there's a checkpoint system so you'll start off at the last stage or boss fight you reached.

Yes, there are boss fights. These enemies are other League of Legends champions and their mechanics are based on their actual abilities in LoL. For example, the first boss Singed can spew out a poison trail behind him to damage you. Jinx takes potshots at you while throwing down traps. Lulu can polymorph you to stop your attacks.

The Poros themselves have some tricks up their sleeves. You'll encounter rare breeds that prevent you from grabbing them with shields or poison clouds. These abilities, along with the gradually quicker pace, make the game seriously challenging.

Blitzcrank's Poro Roundup also has a full-fledged progression system. There are achievements to earn through skillful play. The gold you earn can be spent on items to enhance your character. You can also unlock three other playable characters: Thresh, Nautilus and Corki. The game's far more involved than you'd initially expect.

What makes the game's depth all the more surprising is that it's only going to be available for a limited time. Riot says it will be playable until September 21st. Past that point, only players with the good sense to download it to an iOS or Android device will be able to keep playing.

Poro Roundup was released to celebrate the launch of two arcade-themed skins for League of Legends. Battle Boss Blitzcrank makes Blitzcrank look a bit like a Mega Man archenemy, while the Arcade Riven skin turns the despised swordsman into an 8-bit hero.