LEGO games have worn a few different faces over the last few decades. 1997’sLEGO Islandwas an incredibly ambitious open-world adventure game,LEGO Creatorwas an early sandbox builder,LEGO Racerswas aMario Kartclone, andLEGOLANDwas a theme park tycoon sim. But then along cameLEGO Star Warsin 2005, a title that changed LEGO games forever, laying the first stones of a path that would eventually lead toLEGO Horizon Adventures.
Horizonis quickly becoming one of PlayStation’s most versatile first-party IPs, andLEGO Horizon Adventuresis the perfect example of that.LEGO Horizon Adventuresis set to give the series a lighthearted, more family-friendly makeover, all while retaining the series' distinct aesthetic and remaining faithful to its story and lore. On the surface,LEGO Horizon Adventureslooks like a typical LEGO adventure game, but some key differences set it apart from entries likeLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.
LEGO Horizon Adventures and LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Might Be Two Sides of the Same Coin
LEGO Horizon Adventures and LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Are Both Licensed Action-Platformers
At first glance,LEGO Horizon AdventuresandLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagaboth seem like similar LEGO projects. Both games are categorized as action-adventure titles, target younger audiences, are based on major franchises with pre-established characters, and have thattrademark LEGO art style, injecting an otherwise realistic world with toy bricks, creating a distinct sense of charm. But digging just one layer deeper, fans will discover thatLEGO Horizon AdventuresandLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagaare actually two very different games.
LEGO Horizon Adventures Seems To Be Taking a Different Approach to The Usual LEGO Formula
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagawas a bold evolution ofTraveller’s Tales' LEGO game formula, taking the groundwork that had been continuously built upon since 2005’sLEGO Star Wars, and expanding on its scale exponentially.LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagaadapted all nine mainlineStar Warsmovies, delivering the same action, puzzle, and platforming gameplay fans have come to expect. These missions were accompanied by over 20 explorable planets, each of which was packed to the brim with side content.
LEGO Horizon Adventures, on the other hand, is taking a slightly different approach to the usual LEGO game formula. WhileThe Skywalker Sagadecided to go as big as possible when it came to missions, side content, collectibles, and playable characters,LEGO Horizon Adventuresseems to be delivering a much more succinct experience. Rather than adapt nine full-length movies,LEGO Horizon Adventuresis retellingthe story ofHorizon Zero Dawn, with plenty of its own original moments of charm thrown in for good measure. And though players will still be able to collect new outfits and structures for their hub world,LEGO Horizon Adventuresprobably won’t contain over 1,000 collectibles to find across its levels.
WhileLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagaset a new bar forlicensed LEGO gameswith its larger scope, it was also criticized for having too much filler.LEGO Horizon Adventuresmight not offer the 80+ hours of content, but it might deliver a more refined and concise experience that’s a bit easier for fans to digest.
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.