Lego returns to the Star Wars Universe but with so many releases in the Lego franchise will the force be strong in this one?
It’s been a couple of years since I sank my teeth into Lego genre games, mainly due to the repetitive nature of the games and despite it having pretty new characters like Avengers, Hobbits, Batman, Pirates of the Caribbean to name but a few it just felt like the same old.
So questionably I decided enough is enough and it was time to give it another crack. This time with my 6 year old with me. My goal there was to give a fresh perspective on my tired view and inject some enthusiasm into his recent found love for Star Wars.
Jump right into the action, lets play! Endor! Don’t remember that in the film, and although it was a little weird it enabled me a 10 minute session to familiarise myself with the buttons, features and even discover since my last encounters variable choices had been added to the build button (B). I found this immediately refreshing, do I go left of do I go right? But it was easy enough to rectify had you chosen the wrong direction and get going again. Whist this is not some groundbreaking development for me it was already a step in the right direction.
The movement is much as it has ever been, jumpy Lego feet along the ground in a set scene, and this adds to the feel of bobbing Lego characters along your floor as a kid (at least mine do and so did I)
And one of the great parts about Lego games is the sound, added with Star Wars authenticity and you have a winning combination there, and whilst sound can easily be forgotten in games TT have yet again done a great job balancing the sound of Lego vs Star Wars to make sure you’re not getting frustrated by the same repetitive sound every 30 seconds.
From smashing blocks and revealing Lego brick money to finding special Red Bricks for unlocking content further in and general there is plenty to do to keep you occupied despite how repetitive it was. Characters were unlocked fast and by the end of the first mission, Chewey, Lea, Hans, R2D2 and an Ewok were at my disposal and their similar yet unique characteristics and powers were very clear enabling me to solve the puzzles to progress (if you deem them puzzling that is).
All this is great and for the first time Lego players it’s going to be like an epiphany, “where has Lego been all my life?” Star Wars like it did for me will appeal to many and much like myself I’m sure many of you will play it through and admire the story the Lego quirky take on moments from the film and appreciate how they have adapted the characters right from Ewoks to the Death Star.
Summary:
Despite the few tweaks since I last played one and even my 6 year old playing alongside and alone, it just didn’t bring enough freshness to the game. I appreciate that not all long time players will have the same opinion and fans of the Lego series will love this one especially as it’s Star Wars however and many have been asking me “what’s it like”? There will be a large portion of people passing on another Lego title.
Time for a new approach perhaps?
