Review of Arcane Season 2: The best game adaptation of all time

Act 3 is intended to conclude not only the second season of Arcane, but also the series as a whole.

Endings are the most thankless part of stories. That sounds absurd at first, after all, the grand finale should be the crowning achievement, the reward for all the previous efforts.But a truly satisfying conclusion often seems impossible.The expectations are too different, the hopes too high.

No matter how many happy endings or grim tragedies we experience, the perfect ending rarely reveals itself to us - if ever. But Arcane does something that only really good series can do: it leaves me simultaneously hungry for more and genuinely satisfied because the finale feels like a conclusion that does justice to the characters I've grown to love.

After the two seasons, the series not only impresses as a game adaptation, it also shows a lot of courage with the ending.

Much more than just fan service

Arcane doesn't lose itself in its identity as a game adaptation. And this despite the fact that the series is clearly part of a larger marketing strategy. Over the last few days and weeks, tons of new Arcane-themed skins have been revealed that I can buy in League of Legends to wear the look of the series as Caitlyn, Jinx or Jayce. Or I level up the Arcane Pass for tons of virtual goodies.

But Arcane is so much more than just fan service or advertising to drive MOBA sales. The series from Riot Games and Fortiche doesn't just want to satisfy my wishes about the beloved heroes and heroines or tell me about their (and our) greatest moments in a tongue-in-cheek manner, as many other adaptations are only too happy to do.

The characters and relationships in Arcane feel real,because the series is not afraid of tough or even controversial decisions. Even though they could alienate me as a player. For example, Caitlyn loses herself in her hatred of Jinx, allows herself to be manipulated by Ambessa and makes unscrupulous, ice-cold decisions that have little in common with the tea-drinking policewoman from the beginning.

Arcane gives me enough reasons to be angry with her, but also insight into her emotional world. Cait doesn't know what to do with her emotions as she desperately tries to hold Piltover together and do the right thing. And it's not just her.

Caitlyn Vi and Jinx

Piltover against Zaun, Caitlyn against Jinx: at the end of Arcane everyone has to choose their side, which creates a lot of excitement. Image source: Netflix

All the characters are literally on the verge of bursting, they are so full of (sometimes contradictory) emotions. That makes them ugly at times, but also so much more real than their game versions could ever be. They are not polished or idealized,no hero fantasy, but people who mess up a lot in life but still have good intentions.

Nobody is left behind

Arcane focuses on thisnot just three or four popular characters in the spotlight. Act 3 finally proves this, which puts one of my biggest concerns to rest. Because Mel, Ekko and Heimerdinger have had little time to develop compared to Caitlyn, Jinx, Vi and Co.

But the makers know this and give their stories a lot more space towards the end. This not only brings all the storylines together in a believable way, but also ensuresquiet, moving moments before the big bang, which almost feel like their own little finale.

Mel's story in particular is going to be incredibly exciting. At the beginning of the series, Piltover's political leader was mainly the plaything of others - after all, she had to do justice to Jayce, her mother and the council's shark tank. She finally finds her voice in Act 3 and undergoes a stirring development. Not only does it feel well-rounded within the context of the series, but it also invites speculation.

After all, Mel is not (yet) represented in League of Legends. But that doesn't stop Arcane from establishing two fascinating new characters with her and Ambessa, who I definitely want to see more of in the future. But Arcane also finds its place in the context of all the charactersa worthy conclusion- with an explosive final battle to top it off.

An ending that resonates for a long time

As Arcane so beautifully states:The violence and killing is a cycle, which can only end if we consciously leave it. But that requires a clear decision and a lot of courage. They not only have to meet the heroes and heroines, but also Arcane herself. The series deliberately wants to end here, even though there is so much more to tell about the diverse cast.

That almost sounds paradoxical, after all, I've already emphasized how satisfying and final the ending feels. This shows how fantastic Arcane really is. On the one hand, the creators answer all the important open questions and cleverly tie up all the loose threads into a believable, well-rounded story.

On the other hand, they consciously play with my expectations. There are always hints and hints as to how things could continue. With the well-known heroes and heroines, but also with new characters and places in the world of Arcane. The series feels like a real conclusion, but at the same time like a new beginning. Because there is so much more waiting on the horizon.

Arcane remains true to his vision until the endand doesn't give me more of what I love - even though the series could so easily. It consciously leaves me hungry for more without it feeling bad. Because what we experienced together was so special, I can hardly wait to return to this universe with new stories. No matter how long it takes.