For many League of Legends fans, the annual Worlds tournament feels like a major holiday, a culmination of excitement. Central to this grand event is its anthem, a song tasked with capturing the essence of the biggest moment in the LoL esports calendar. It’s a challenging act to follow, and over the past fifteen years, artists have met this challenge with varying degrees of success. This year, Hong Kong superstar Gloria Tange Sze-wing, better known as G.E.M., steps into the spotlight with ‘Sacrifice.’ While its accompanying music video has immediately captivated viewers, I found the musical track itself to be somewhat underwhelming.
The release of this year’s League of Legends Worlds anthem faced an initial delay when Riot chose to edit Gabriël ‘Bwipo’ Rau out of the video following controversial remarks. This created immense anticipation, and now that ‘Sacrifice’ has finally arrived, the question remains: does it live up to the hype? Can it stand proudly alongside the most memorable songs from past tournaments?
‘Sacrifice’ takes a slow-burn approach. G.E.M.’s melodious vocals gracefully build throughout the piece, leading to a climax that, while certainly bold, ultimately lacks the powerful impact needed to truly distinguish it among the best Worlds anthems. G.E.M.’s individual performance is outstanding, showcasing her incredible talent. However, the overall musical direction leaves something to be desired, as it continually hints at an explosive drop that never quite delivers. It’s a bit like enjoying a superb appetizer at a gourmet restaurant, only for the main course to fall short. Perhaps it will resonate more as the Worlds tournament progresses, but my initial reaction is one of mild disappointment.
The music video, on the other hand, is a triumph. As someone who’s witnessed over a decade and a half of League of Legends esports unfold, it’s incredible to see ‘Sacrifice’ vividly bring to life some of the game’s most iconic moments. It masterfully recreates unforgettable plays, such as Lee ‘Faker’ Sang-hyeok’s game-changing Azir ultimate against Park ‘Ruler’ Jae-hyuk in a previous grand final, and Kang ‘TheShy’ Seung-lok’s legendary Aatrox play against G2 Esports from 2018.
The video is also packed with delightful easter eggs. Blink-and-you-miss-it moments like Shunsuke ‘Evi’ Murase’s signature thumbs-up, Hong ‘Pyosik’ Chang-hyeon’s playful Kindred impression, and even a cameo from GAM Esports CEO TK Nguyen enhance the experience. The video culminates in a poignant tribute to the late Season 1 champion, Maciej ‘Shushei’ Ratuszniak, depicted proudly hoisting the Summoner’s Cup. This visual confirmation also definitively settles the long-standing debate: Season 1 is indeed canon, so to our North American friends, the ball is now in your court to claim a Worlds title. No pressure, of course.
As Worlds fever grips the community once more, many players might be looking to dive back into the game. Staying current with champion strengths and considering new in-game aesthetics can enhance the experience. We’re curious to hear your thoughts on this year’s Worlds anthem: where does ‘Sacrifice’ land on your personal ranking? Share your opinions with fellow enthusiasts. Regardless of individual musical preferences, the excitement for the upcoming matches, such as the highly anticipated showdown between T1 and IG, is bound to be immense.