Greeted with a muted cry of “Who asked for this?” upon its announcement, Lego Horizon Adventures has faced an uphill battle. So I’m here to inform you that Lego Horizon Adventures should have said, “Good point,” and stopped there when the question was asked.
Let's dive into what this game actually offers. The premise is simple: take the vast, post-apocalyptic world of the Horizon games and shrink it down into Lego-sized adventures. Sounds cute, right? The game attempts to blend the exploration and combat of the Horizon series with the playful, blocky charm of Lego. Unfortunately, the execution feels like the digital equivalent of stepping on a Lego brick in the dark.
The gameplay is where Lego Horizon Adventures tries to win you over. You get to build and explore, with familiar Lego mechanics like constructing vehicles or fortresses. But it's all wrapped in a narrative that feels more like a checklist than an adventure. The story beats are predictable, and the humor, while there, doesn’t quite land like the slapstick silliness we've come to expect from Lego games. It’s like watching a comedy where all the punchlines are in a different language.
Combat in Lego Horizon Adventures is where the game could have shone but instead fizzles out. You battle against the mechanically majestic creatures from the Horizon series, now in Lego form. However, the combat lacks the depth or challenge of its inspiration. It's more about mashing buttons than mastering strategy, turning epic confrontations into tedious chores.
Graphically, the game boasts that distinctive Lego charm, with environments that mimic the lush, expansive worlds of Horizon. But here’s the catch – it’s all surface level. The visuals are pretty but fail to capture the awe of the original games' landscapes. It feels like you're playing in a sandbox where someone forgot to add enough toys to keep things interesting.
One redeeming quality is the multiplayer mode, which invites friends to join in the block-building chaos. Here, Lego Horizon Adventures finds some of its heart, offering a few laughs and light-hearted competition. Yet, even this aspect struggles to maintain engagement over time, as the novelty wears off faster than a Lego set without instructions.
In conclusion, Lego Horizon Adventures is a game that tries to ride on the coattails of two beloved franchises but ends up being a forgettable detour. It’s occasionally fun, especially with friends, but lacks the depth, humor, and innovation to leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for a memorable Lego adventure or a compelling Horizon story, you might want to sit this one out. Or at least, wait for it to hit the bargain bin, where it's more fittingly priced as a nostalgic, if fleeting, diversion.
