LEGO Horizon Adventureswas among the biggest surprises from this year’s Summer Games Fest, revealing itself as a lighthearted, radically distinct rendition of the hyperrealistic, cutting-edge games that it spawns from. Naturally, this is going to meancompletely different gameplay from the coreHorizonfranchise, and while this is something that Studio Gobo and Guerilla Games should lean into, there’s one gameplay pillar that could make all the difference.
One of the greatest strengths of theHorizonfranchise is its combat. While open-world games have a tendency toward more straightforward or streamlined combat systems (see:Breath of the Wildand theAssassin’s Creedgames),Horizonmanages to shine through its enemy encounters. A combination of solid third-person shooting mechanics designed around archery, meaningful short-and long-term rewards for target precision, and a satisfying gear grind make fighting the Machines ofHorizon’s world consistently gratifying. Because this combat sandbox is so strong, its translation to the more quaint and cozyLEGO Horizon Adventuresis one of the upcoming game’s biggest question marks.
LEGO Horizon Adventures Needs a Good Combat System
Based on what’s been revealed and what audiences know aboutLEGOgames, some of thelikely strengths ofLEGO Horizon Adventuresseem obvious. For one thing, its more simplified, yet faithful, art style has the charm one would expect from aLEGOgame, andHorizon’s take on the post-apocalypse meshes surprisingly well with such a colorful, top-down perspective. But these are more or less givens, asLEGOgames usually succeed when it comes to art and level design.
Something that is a bit less common inLEGOadaptations is strong, complex combat, especially when it comes to ranged options. Something like theLEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagahas third-person shootingthat works surprisingly well, but this doesn’t seem to be the case forHorizon Adventures, which employs a much more fixed camera, seemingly not allowing for more granular control of aiming. This doesn’t mean thatHorizon Adventures' combat is destined to fail, but it does mean that it will need to take a different approach than the games that inspired it, if it wants to do their gameplay systems justice.
Despite its cute and low-stakes presentation,LEGO Horizon Adventuresis something of a landmark release, beingthe first PlayStation IP to get theLEGOgame treatment.
How LEGO Horizon Adventures Could Make Its Combat Shine
As with everything in this industry, it’s important to reserve judgment until a game’s release, but it seems safe to say thatLEGO Horizon Adventureswon’t have the same emphasis on precision and advanced ranged weapons as the mainlineHorizongames. In light of this, the game could focus onother aspects of theHorizoncombat sandbox, which may translate better toLEGOgame conventions.
This could very well be the case, asHorizon Adventures' gameplay trailers showcase a number of distinct gadgets that can be used in tandem with classic archery moves for combat dominance. If these gadgets are properly diverse and plentiful, then they might be the best way to deepen combat within this new overarching gameplay formula. Perhaps the game could focus more on movement and clever use of gadgets than traditional third-person-or twin-stick shooter mechanics, as this may better suit the new art style, level design, and overall character of aLEGOadaptation.
It’s probably best thatLEGO Horizon Adventuresavoid directly emulatingthe combat of the originalHorizongames. Sticking too close to the originals' gameplay formula would not only make for a potentially awkward implementation in aLEGOgame, but it would also keepHorizon Adventuresfrom standing out as its own, unique project. Rather, the game should strive to capture the spirit ofHorizon’s engaging, long-distance combat, while trying to build its own gameplay identity.
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.
