Lego Horizon Adventures Review

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In summary, the review suggests that Lego Horizon Adventures falls short of its potential by failing to offer depth and complexity, delivering instead a boring, shallow experience with a dull reinterpretation of Zero Dawn’s story, repetitive combat, and almost zero exploration. The game is an underwhelming experience just to make it seem like the illusion of choice and variety.

Initially, when Lego Horizon Adventures was unveiled, I was thrilled at the prospect of different franchises combining their unique aspects: the fun gameplay of Lego titles and the compelling narratives from Horizon. On the surface, these two seemed to have all the elements necessary for creating something extraordinary.

I’ve tried out a large number of LEGO games available, with those inspired by iconic franchises like Star Wars and Marvel being my top picks. These titles immersed me in their respective universes, all the while preserving the humorous and imaginative flair that LEGO games are renowned for.

Given that Horizon games rank high on my action-adventure favorites list, I felt assured I’d enjoy playing Lego Horizon Adventures even more so knowing Guerilla Games was the developer behind it. In fact, these factors strengthened my conviction that I would find this new Lego game entertaining.

Regrettably, the finished product falls far short of the grand anticipations and can be described as quite disappointing. In fact, it appears that the creators may have overlooked the unique qualities that made each of these series stand out. The narrative is missing the captivating storyline found in the Horizon series, while the gameplay lacks the addictive elements that characterized previous Lego games.

Following the completion of its brief 6-hour narrative, a stretch of time I deeply regret having spent, it’s evident that certain collaborations should not take place. The Lego Horizon Adventures feels like an endless cycle of repetition and lacks the merit to bear either the Horizon or Lego brand.

A Sweet Story Turned Sour

In simpler terms, Lego Horizon Adventures is a fresh take on the fantastic tale from Horizon Zero Dawn. It follows the journey of the central character, Aloy, and her companions as they explore different places to prevent a wicked force from dominating all mechanical beings on Earth.

If you’re familiar with Zero Dawn, you appreciate its compelling narrative. The tale revolves around Aloy’s integration into the tribe, her exploration of her origins while seeking her mother, and their united efforts to conquer a threat that surpasses individual capabilities.

The narrative was crafted so skillfully that it made you genuinely feel like you were embarking on the adventure alongside Aloy, fostering an emotional bond between the player and the characters.

In contrast to how Horizon Zero Dawn delivers a rich and compelling narrative, Lego Horizon Adventures deliberately simplifies the storyline to such an extent that it borders on being disrespectful. It appears as though they lack confidence in their players’ ability to follow along with the plot.

As a dedicated fan, I get why this Lego game opts for a more playful narrative tone. But even in its whimsical world, it’s crucial that there are compelling storylines to hook and maintain my interest throughout the gameplay experience.

In a sense, it feels like Lego Horizon Adventures subtly urges players to focus on other things. The main reason for this is the game’s pacing problems and the way it narrates its story.

As a gamer, I find myself frequently reminded that Aloy is unaware of her mother’s identity, and the game consistently repeats its purpose: “Find this, go there, defeat that.” It feels like the creators are speaking to kindergartners, constantly reiterating the same instructions. However, beyond the obvious fact that the world is in peril, there’s hardly any additional depth or nuance provided. It’s a bit tiresome, I must admit.

One positive element in the narrative of Lego Horizon Adventures is its occasional ability to bring on hearty laughter.

It was hard not to chuckle as Erend, a playable character, continued gushing over donuts, or when Teersa declared that Erend was more irritating than all twenty-six of her grandchildren combined.

Humorously entertaining content is consistently a highlight of Lego games, and Horizon Adventures effectively captures this aspect superbly.

A Crash Course in Gaming

A game can still be enjoyable even with a weak narrative, as demonstrated by numerous examples within the gaming industry. But if the gameplay is poor, it significantly diminishes your chances of success.

In the game Lego Horizon Adventures, there are concerns about both the combat and level design. To put it simply, the combat in this particular game seems remarkably basic compared to other Lego games I’ve played.

The core mechanic primarily involves pressing and releasing a single key for attacks, occasionally tapping another key for special abilities. This simplicity makes it clear from the start that the gameplay can become quite repetitive due to its straightforward design.

In this game, your character’s abilities aren’t fixed at the start but can be discovered as you progress through different levels. You might find them hidden inside chests, or they could be obtained by defeating enemies.

Due to their scarcity, as they typically hold just ten uses, you could exhaust them rather swiftly, leaving you with no choice but to rely solely on the weapon at hand. In such instances, the battle becomes a repetitive process of repeatedly clicking a single button.

While you can grab barrels and hurl them at your adversary, you rarely find it essential to do so.

Actually, given its simplicity, several game mechanics can be ignored entirely by the player. To illustrate, taking cover in bushes to evade adversaries becomes unnecessary because every enemy encountered is so effortless to conquer, making it unprofitable to employ such a tactic.

It’s boring. There’s no other way to put it. It would have been nice if there was a skill tree to decide on permanent abilities to unlock, just like Horizon Zero Dawn, giving the player some sense of meaningful progression.

Instead, the only rewards you can earn are passive bonuses or decorative, seemingly pointless items, like an additional hotdog stand for your Mother’s Heart homestead.

The combat in Horizon Adventures is arguably the most simplistic I have ever seen in a Lego game.

Although Lego Horizon Adventures may be weak on combat, it excels in the grandeur of its boss battles. The battle against the colossal Thunderjaw evoked memories of my initial experience with Zero Dawn, and Guerrilla Games did an impressive job of recreating that feeling here.

Among all aspects of my adventure, the striking impression left by the size and magnitude of the bosses stood out as the most noteworthy. Remarkably, the game provides additional tasks enabling players to track down these formidable opponents, making it a more satisfying experience compared to the primary storyline.

Nowhere to Go, But Straight

In contrast, Horizon Zero Dawn offers a vast world for players to freely roam and uncover secret locations or treasures, while Lego Horizon Adventures typically keeps gameplay along predefined paths.

The level design is as basic and linear as it gets, similar to walking down a corridor into the next hallway. The only taste of exploration players can find is equivalent to climbing down ledges or walking over a plank to a small cliff with a chest.

These supposedly “concealed” spots aren’t really hidden at all, since there’s almost always a trail of silver studs – the in-game currency – guiding you straight to them. In simpler terms, they’re incredibly simple to locate.

Instead of being valuable most of the time, these chests often disappoint because they usually hold just a few Studs. Occasionally, you might find a potent ability or weapon inside them to use, but there’s no excitement or adventure in acquiring them since you don’t have to search for them.

As a dedicated gamer, I must admit that the layout feels rather straightforward and one-dimensional – almost like strolling through a series of connected rooms, each leading to the next, much like corridors in a vast building.

In this game, the puzzles are so simple that they don’t challenge your brain at all; you can usually figure them out in just a few moments without needing to think deeply.

The most challenging puzzle I encountered involved jumping over a platform, grabbing an energy container, and bringing it back over the platform to throw it at a switch. If a “puzzle” is going to be that effortless, why include it in the game at all?

In Lego Horizons Adventures, there are instances where players get to decide between two paths: either heading directly towards Mother’s Heart or pursuing a Longkneck. This feature seems appealing conceptually, but it feels like these infrequent situations were inserted into the game primarily to create an illusion of exploration and choice.

Essentially, the Longkneck doesn’t offer any substantial advantage, but it does provide an opportunity to appreciate the game’s stunning scenery.

allow me to continue with my following thought – The Lego Horizons Adventures stands out among other Lego games due to its stunning visuals. There’s no question about it. It successfully emulates the visual allure of the Horizon series, offering high-quality graphics that make every level a captivating spectacle.

It’s quite frustrating, given the game’s stunning visuals, that we can’t delve deeper into those captivating levels.

The Children’s Number One Fan

Lego Horizons Adventures strays from the usual charm of Lego games, which are loved by both children and adults alike, by focusing more on a kid-centric adventure rather than maintaining a balance suitable for all ages.

Lego Horizons Adventures falls short in maturity, as its simplistic gameplay, basic plot, and elementary level layout suggest a more juvenile audience. The game’s overly explanatory storyline often leaves one with the impression of watching a cartoon on Nickelodeon.

The battles within this game are extremely simplistic and fail to deliver any genuine strategic depth or thrill, offering no fulfillment whatsoever. Additionally, the puzzles are overly basic, making it seem like the developers presume I have no prior gaming experience.

The Lego Horizons Adventures game seems quite simplistic for an older audience, as it appears overly juvenile due to its easy-to-grasp mechanics, straightforward plot, and basic level layouts.

It’s disappointing not to find a more mature version of Lego Horizon Adventures, as it would have provided a richer experience for older players.

The concept of combining a legendary PlayStation game with Lego seemed very promising and looked set to be an instant success. Regrettably, the end result disappoints greatly, failing to meet expectations – a real missed chance for it to become the triumphant hit it was poised to be.

Instead of providing richness and intricacy, it delivers a dull, superficial playthrough that falls short of the engaging experiences provided by Horizon and Lego games.

Closing Thoughts:

The combination of two beloved franchises, Lego and Horizon, in Lego Horizons Adventures, seemed incredibly promising. Regrettably, it fell far short of expectations, offering a forgettable experience instead of something truly special. The game fails to deliver an engaging reimagining of Zero Dawn’s narrative, with repetitive combat sequences and minimal exploration opportunities. Despite its brief 6-hour playtime, the 60-dollar price tag makes this an unjustified investment. Unless you’re seeking a way to entertain your child for an evening, Lego Horizon Adventures is best avoided.

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2024-11-22 16:39