For fans of League of Legends, the annual Worlds tournament feels like a blend of all major holidays. The yearly anthem, in particular, is crucial for setting the atmosphere of this pinnacle LoL esports event. It’s a challenging task, and throughout the past 15 years, various artists have tackled it with varying degrees of success. This year, Gloria Tange Sze-wing, also known as ‘G.E.M.,’ steps up with ‘Sacrifice’ to carve her place in Worlds history. While the music video immediately impresses, I can’t shake the feeling that the song itself just doesn’t quite land.
The League of Legends Worlds anthem faced an initial delay this year. Riot decided to postpone its release to edit out Gabriël ‘Bwipo’ Rau from the video following controversial remarks made by the FlyQuest toplaner. After considerable anticipation, the song is finally here. But was ‘Sacrifice’ truly worth the wait? Does it possess the power to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the most memorable anthems created for one of the top MOBA tournaments?
The official music video, titled “Sacrifice,” is available to watch. (Originally a YouTube embed)
Initially, ‘Sacrifice’ reveals itself as a slow-burning track. G.E.M.’s melodious vocals consistently build in intensity, leading towards a powerful yet ultimately underwhelming crescendo. Her individual performance is, to use an in-game reference, truly outrageous in the best possible way. However, my main criticism lies with the song’s overall direction; it continually pushes towards a “drop” that simply doesn’t deliver the impact needed to place it among the most iconic Worlds anthems, such as ‘Gods’ from a previous year. It’s akin to anticipating a gourmet main course after delicious appetizers, only to be met with disappointment. Perhaps it will resonate more deeply as Worlds progresses, but for now, my initial reaction is simply, “meh.”
In contrast, the music video offers much more to appreciate. It’s a humbling thought to realize we’re now a decade and a half into the LoL esports journey. ‘Sacrifice’ brilliantly reconstructs some of the esport’s most legendary moments, like Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok’s crucial Azir ultimate against Park ‘Ruler’ Jae-hyuk in last year’s grand final, and Kang ‘TheShy’ Seung-lok’s unforgettable Aatrox play against G2 Esports back in 2018.
(Image: Shushei holding the Summoner’s Cup, depicting a scene from the Worlds anthem video)
The video is packed with delightful easter eggs. Quick glimpses of Shunsuke ‘Evi’ Murase’s signature thumbs-up, Hong ‘Pyosik’ Chang-hyeon’s Kindred impression, and even GAM Esports CEO TK Nguyen punctuate the video’s climax. This culminates in a touching tribute to the late Season 1 champion, Maciej ‘Shushei’ Ratuszniak, who is shown lifting the Summoner’s Cup. This visual also settles the enduring debate about whether Season 1 truly counts in the esports canon; it does, North American fans, meaning the pressure is on for you to secure a win!
If Worlds has rekindled your passion for LoL, you might want to consult a comprehensive tier list to stay informed about the current meta. And if you’re looking to acquire a new in-game cosmetic, there are many fantastic skins available for your RP.
What are your thoughts on the new Worlds anthem? How does it compare in your personal ranking? Share your opinions with the community. Regardless of individual critiques, the excitement is sure to build dramatically when T1 and IG clash tomorrow.