Worlds 2025: Hanwha Life Esports Fell Earlier than Expected

Hanwha Life Esports were one of the favorites heading into Worlds. They peaked at the right time in the LCK to qualify as the second seed. Unfortunately, they met GenG Esports in the Quarterfinals. For the third consecutive series against the MSI and LCK winners, HLE fell. A quarterfinal exit is short of expectations for the roster, but given their opponent, fans are not too disappointed.

Worlds 2025: Hanwha Life Esports Player Review

Zeus

Total Apex rating – 6.6 (3rd among top laners, tied 15th among players)

Champions Played

• Ambessa (2)
• Rek’Sai (2)
• Rumble (2)
• Camille
• K’Sante
• Sion

A disappointing end to Zeus’ first Worlds out of T1. Having made the Grand Finals all three times in a row, anything short of that would be a failure for Zeus. He was one of the better top laners at Worlds, but he was not the dominant player we had seen at previous Worlds events. He sacrificed everything for his botlane in the final game against GenG. However, it backfired as he was too far behind for the rest of the game.

Peanut

Total Apex rating – 6.2 (tied 7th among junglers, tied 29th among players)

Champions Played

• Jarvan IV (2)
• Vi (2)
• Xin Zhao (2)
• Nocturne
• Sejuani
• Trundle

Peanut’s last dance ended as all his previous Worlds attempts. One of the greatest junglers in the history of League leaves without his crowning moment. Peanut remained positive throughout the goodbyes. Peanut’s errors in game two against GenG may have altered his team’s path. Knocking Ruler back over the wall after Zeka’s shuffle and getting caught on mid-wave allowed GenG to go 2-0 up in the series.

Zeka

Total Apex rating – 6.2 (tied 10th among mid laners, tied 29th among players)

Champions Played

• Azir (3)
• Aurora (2)
• Taliyah (2)
• Ryze
• Yone

Zeka had the unfortunate moment of forgetting to buy Tear against Anyone’s Legend. If he had had the item and had fewer mistakes, HLE could have gone 3-0 in the Swiss Stage. Granted, they would have had to beat GenG to reach that stage. He had a better Worlds than what we saw during the LCK regular season, but did not reach his Worlds 2022 form.

Viper

Total Apex rating – 7.3 (1st among bot laners, 2nd among players

Champions Played

• Caitlyn
• Corki
• Ezreal
• Kai’Sa
• Lucian
• Sivir
• Smolder
• Yunara
• Ziggs

Viper was the best ADC at the tournament. There was rarely a game at Worlds in which Viper was performing exceptionally well. He kept HLE alive in game two against GenG and nearly solo carried against AL in the Swiss Stage. There is a reason casters called HLE, Viper Life Esports. The only player who had more 1v9 performances during Worlds was Bdd.

Delight

Total Apex rating – 6.2 (5th among supports, 29th among players)

Champions Played

• Alistar (2)
• Rakan (2)
• Bard
• Braum
• Leona
• Pantheon
• Poppy

Delight had a polarizing tournament. In some games, he had high-quality engagements, while in others, he was either a bystander or failed to gain value. The series against GenG was the encapsulation of Delight. As Poppy and Pantheon, he lacked the tools to engage, but once he got Rakan, he became a different player.

Hanwha Life Esports Team Review

A Quarterfinals exit on the outset seems like a failure for HLE. However, their only losses came against AL and GenG. If they want to become World Champions, they have to win those series, especially the one against GenG. With Peanut leaving for military service and Viper confirmed not re-signing, HLE will have a different team next year.