User blog comment:Lykrast/Runes: why I hate them/@comment-5266525-20140326123146

Hidden power is a concept exclusive to champions which is to say the champion has power without satisfaction and thus if they are ever nerfed end up as unfun or boring to play. Runes aren't hidden power at all.

The differences between most rune pages aren't big enough to force you into a particular playstyle, but they certainly will encourage them. It's nigh impossible to jungle without the right set of runes, for a start. :P

I won't argue about runes being too expensive.