Summary
LEGO Horizon Adventuresis continuing the brand’s trend of experimental titles, with its limited exclusivity being a fairly new move for the company. However, many aspects ofLEGO Horizon Adventuresecho the LEGO games of old,
The LEGO adaptation ofHorizonwill hit shelves later this year and, if its trailer is anything to go by, the title will call back to TT’s exclusivity era of LEGO games. Not only isLEGO Horizonan adaptation of an existing IP, the gameplay demonstrated is pretty classic. Co-op exploration through levels filled with foes and treasure, all with a goofy tone to boot, is very close in theme to aLEGO Star WarsorLEGO Batman. Promotional material for the game even shows how it’s brought back some of the character customization missing fromSkywalker Saga.
LEGO Horizon Adventures Could Bring Back Platforming In A Big Way
One aspect ofLEGO Horizon Adventures' trailerthat is especially reminiscent of older LEGO games is the platforming. Not much is shown off, but the gameplay footage available readily demonstrates the mechanic. This is in contrast to modern LEGO titles likeLEGO FortniteandLEGO 2K Drive, both of which have moved away from the platforming focus that TT’s games held so dear. Traveler’s Tales' LEGO games are very much in the vein of 3D collectathon platformers, even if said platforming was very simple. In this experimental era, LEGO has a chance to build on this system with someHorizon-themed mechanics.
TT’s LEGO Games Were Always Platformers
From the originalLEGO Star Warsin 2005 to 2022’sThe Skywalker Saga, TT’s era of exclusivedomain over the LEGO brandalways erred towards platformer play. Almost all TT LEGO games follow the same basic level formula, one where players have to progress via either platforming or puzzle-solving. While both elements were conceived in simple fashion to match a young audience, there’s no denying that they were incredibly effective in their presentation—turning LEGO’s digital inventory into a household name.
However, that simplicity came at a cost; the melting pot of mechanics in LEGO games led to only a few really standing out. Therefore, platforming has always been incredibly simple, to the point of mechanical limitation. While some characters have always been able to double-jump or glide, the basic jump in LEGO games has always felt incredibly rudimentary. A good example of this would be the platforming segments inLEGO Star Wars 3: The Clone Wars. The Malevolence platforming sections in this game are incredibly frustrating thanks to that restrained jump. It’s no wonder that such mechanics have been so easily ditched ingames likeLEGO Fortnite.
LEGO Horizon Adventures Should Bring Platforming Back In A Big Way
LEGO Horizon Adventurescan do a lotfor the brand here; itsHorizoncoat-of-paint already pitches it towards a slightly older audience, as does the drier humor in the reveal trailer (comedy more in the vein ofThe LEGO Movieseries of films than TT’s games), so more advanced platforming would fit. Moreover, it’s been two years sinceSkywalker Sagawhich, though not really a long time, is a good while in the timespan of LEGO games, especially under TT’s tenure. It would be great, then, to see some new tricks after such a duration in the wings.
ThoughHorizonitself isn’t known for its platforming (if anything, it’s been an often derided aspect of the series), the franchise has abilities suited for LEGO platforming. Gliding, grappling, climbing, and diving are all in Aloy’s toolkit—and are all staples of LEGO gameplay. Moreover, some refined platforming wouldsetLEGO HorizonAdventuresapartfrom the mainline games, justifying a video game adaptation of a video game series.
LEGO Horizon Adventures
WHERE TO PLAY
In a far future, where giant mechanized beasts roam a landscape reclaimed by nature and humans live in primitive tribes, an ancient evil seeks to destroy the world…Join hunter Aloy as she leads a colourful crew of heroes on a quest to save the meadows, forests, and mountains of Earth from a man called Helis, who leads a gang of sunworshippers that follow an Ancient Evil shrouded in mystery.Dive into a thrilling adventure alone, or with friends with couch co-op or online play, customize your home in true LEGO style, and uncover stunning secrets from Aloy’s mysterious past along the way.
