I admit I was never a fan of League of Legends; friends convinced me to play once when I was in college about 6 years ago. My partner, on the other hand, is an avid fan; he's been playing for over a decade, and his first time in the ranks was in Season 2. But it was thanks to the new game mode, and thanks to my partner convincing me that it was “Vampire Survivors” itself.

The game mode in question, “Swarm,” pits you against a constant stream of enemies with auto-firing weapons to see how long you can survive. Those who have played Vampire Survivors will immediately notice the similarities between the two, exactly the same formula that reskinned League of Legends. To an outsider, Swarm also seems like a breath of fresh air compared to the hellscape of ranked matches.

It also seems like a less depressing way to get to know certain League champions without having to play Summoner's Rift. There are so many characters to know and abilities to learn that it seems like it took me too long to start playing the league “properly”. With such a fast-paced game, it always feels like a cat-and-mouse game, except that the feeling of not being able to keep up is so imminent that you're on your ass before you even start.

But having spent hours on “Vampire Survivors,” which my partner also knows well, this comparison is a smart way to keep me interested. I don't have to worry about entirely new goals and rules because I feel like I already know what I'm doing. Even though I may feel a little clueless about champions (called fighters in this mode) and their attacks, I feel less scared than if I were thrown into a ranked match and told to fight on my own. Besides, being able to play with a friend and not feel the wrath of the other team's players means that you don't feel the pressure to instantly become an expert at the game.

Of course, I think many avid players would argue that this is not necessarily the “real” League of Legends experience. It is not at all like the core game, and the champions available to play are limited. But for those who are a little apprehensive about investing time (and inevitably money) in League, Swarm is an attractive option; I know that League of Legends has several different game modes, but if you download Riot's launcher and spend some time tonight This is the first mode that has intrigued me enough to take the time to download Riot's launcher and give it a try tonight.

I have no doubt that many players who are tempted by League of Legends but don't know where to start will appreciate having an entry point. I, for one, am not one of those players who ask, “When am I going to start playing League? It will be a few more years before we start lining up for ranked matches, but Swarm is a step in the right direction. Maybe my deep love for the League of Legends will grow and my long career will begin, catch me in the League Championship Series in five years. It all starts here.