Alright, fellow gamers and LEGO enthusiasts, let’s embark on an epic quest into the world of LEGO Horizon Adventures. This isn’t just another brick-smashing romp; it’s a journey that dares to deviate from the well-worn path of Traveller’s Tales, raising questions about what truly makes a LEGO game tick.

As a veteran of the LEGO gaming scene, someone who’s been building and battling since the days of the original LEGO Star Wars, I’ve witnessed the evolution of this beloved franchise. And let me tell you, LEGO Horizon Adventures is a unique beast, one that deserves a closer look. So grab your controllers, strap on your Focuses, and let’s dive deep into this intriguing new entry.

A Polished Facade: The Illusion of Perfection

First impressions? This game is sleek. Like, seriously polished. No game-breaking glitches, no frustrating bugs that make you want to hurl your controller across the room (looking at you, LEGO Harry Potter Collection remaster!). It’s a welcome change of pace, especially for those of us who’ve endured the occasional jankiness of past LEGO titles.

But here’s the thing: it’s like they poured all their effort into polishing the exterior while neglecting the soul of the game. Remember the sheer joy of wreaking havoc in a LEGO world, smashing every object in sight to collect those sweet, sweet studs? Yeah, that’s been dialed down to a whisper in LEGO Horizon Adventures.

The environments feel strangely sterile, with a surprising lack of interactive elements. Sure, there are breakables, but they’re few and far between. The levels themselves are disappointingly linear, often feeling like glorified hallways leading you from one combat encounter to the next. Even the platforming and traversal sections feel oddly automated, lacking the sense of challenge and discovery that we’ve come to expect from LEGO games.

Combat: A Beacon of Brilliance

Thankfully, the combat system injects a much-needed dose of excitement into the experience. Drawing inspiration from the Horizon series, LEGO Horizon Adventures captures the thrill of battling those majestic, yet menacing, machines.

Just like in the Horizon series, exploiting enemy weak points is crucial. Whether you’re peppering a Watcher’s eye with arrows or aiming for a Stormbird’s vulnerable components, precision is key. Aloy and her companions have access to a variety of elemental weapons and ammo types, allowing you to exploit enemy weaknesses and inflict status effects like fire, shock, and freeze. Experimenting with different combinations can be incredibly satisfying. From the trusty tripcaster to the explosive blast sling, Aloy’s arsenal of gadgets adds another layer of tactical depth to combat. Using these gadgets effectively can turn the tide of battle in your favor. Switching between Aloy, Erend, Varl, and Teersa on the fly allows you to utilize their unique weapons and abilities to overcome specific challenges. Erend’s hammer is perfect for close-quarters combat, while Varl’s spear excels at range. And let’s not forget Aloy’s ability to override machines, turning them into temporary allies to fight alongside you. It adds a fascinating dynamic to the combat encounters.

A Simplified Story: Trading Depth for Laughs

LEGO Horizon Adventures retells the story of Zero Dawn, but with a distinctly lighthearted, almost parodic, tone. The voice acting is superb (though it’s worth noting that Sylens has been recast after the unfortunate passing of Lance Reddick), and the dialogue is genuinely funny.

However, this lighthearted approach comes at a cost. The simplification of the narrative, while perhaps intended to appeal to a younger audience, robs the story of its emotional weight. Certain plot points feel rushed and underdeveloped, mirroring the somewhat repetitive nature of the game’s level design.

The Community Board: A Hub of Activity

The Mother’s Heart village serves as the game’s central hub, and at its heart lies the community board. This board offers a variety of challenges that encourage players to experiment with different combat tactics and strategies. Completing these challenges rewards you with gold bricks, which can be used to customize the village and purchase a range of amusing outfits for Aloy and her companions (because who doesn’t want to see Aloy rocking a hot dog costume?).

Co-op: A Missed Opportunity?

Yes, you can team up with a friend for some co-op action! But be prepared for some of the same co-op quirks that have plagued previous LEGO games. Player two still can’t unlock trophies, and the game has an annoying habit of teleporting players closer together if they stray too far apart. It’s a shame that these issues haven’t been addressed, as they can detract from the overall co-op experience.

Visuals: A LEGO Movie-Inspired Masterpiece

From a visual standpoint, LEGO Horizon Adventures is absolutely stunning. The stop-motion aesthetic, reminiscent of The LEGO Movie, is beautifully realized. The lighting is superb, the LEGO brick environments are intricately detailed, and the minifigures themselves are bursting with personality. It’s a visual treat that truly captures the magic of LEGO.

Exploring the World and Puzzles

LEGO Horizon Adventures is packed with collectibles, from hidden LEGO studs to lore-filled datapoints. Exploring every nook and cranny of the environment is essential for completionists. While not as prevalent as in other LEGO games, there are still some environmental puzzles scattered throughout the levels. These puzzles often involve using Aloy’s Focus to scan for clues or manipulating objects in the environment to progress. And of course, Aloy’s agility is on full display as she climbs, ziplines, and grapples her way through the varied landscapes. While some of these sections feel a bit automated, they still provide a welcome change of pace from the combat encounters.

The Heart of the Village

Mother’s Heart Village, the game’s central hub, offers a variety of activities and customization options. The community board provides a constant stream of challenges that test your combat skills and reward you with gold bricks. Aloy and her companions can be customized with a variety of outfits and accessories, adding a touch of personalization to your adventure. And using those hard-earned gold bricks, you can rebuild and expand Mother’s Heart village, adding new structures and amenities.

A Critical Look at the Game’s Shortcomings

While LEGO Horizon Adventures has its strengths, it also has some notable weaknesses that hold it back from greatness. One of the most glaring issues is the repetitive nature of the level design. Many of the environments feel similar, lacking the visual and structural variety that we’ve come to expect from LEGO games. This repetition can lead to a sense of monotony, especially during the longer stretches between combat encounters. The scarcity of interactive elements in the environment is another disappointment. LEGO games have always been about exploration and discovery, but LEGO Horizon Adventures feels strangely restrictive in this regard. The lack of breakables and environmental puzzles limits the sense of freedom and creativity that typically defines LEGO games.

While the lighthearted tone and humorous dialogue are enjoyable, the simplification of the story and characters can be a double-edged sword. Some of the emotional depth and complexity of the Horizon series is lost in translation, and certain plot points feel underdeveloped. And the persistence of co-op issues, such as the inability for player two to unlock trophies and the tendency for the game to teleport players closer together, is frustrating. These issues can detract from the overall co-op experience, especially for those who enjoy playing with friends or family.

Is LEGO Horizon Adventures Worth Your Time?

So, the big question: is LEGO Horizon Adventures worth your hard-earned LEGO studs? The answer, unfortunately, is a bit complicated.

If you’re a die-hard fan of the Horizon series and you’re looking for a lighthearted, LEGO-fied take on the familiar story, then you’ll likely find some enjoyment here. The combat system is engaging, the visuals are stunning, and the voice acting is top-notch.

However, if you’re expecting a truly innovative and challenging LEGO game, you might be left feeling underwhelmed. The repetitive level design, lack of environmental interaction, and simplified story can detract from the overall experience.

Ultimately, LEGO Horizon Adventures is a game that falls somewhere in the middle. It has its moments of brilliance, but it’s also hampered by some significant shortcomings. Whether or not it’s worth your time will depend on your expectations and your tolerance for repetition and simplification.