Overview
Platform: PS5
Available on: PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch
Release Date: November 14, 2024
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A Gorgeous Game with Shallow Gameplay
Lego Horizon Adventures, a lighthearted and visually stunning platformer, brings the thrilling world of Horizon Zero Dawn to life for younger audiences. However, while it excels in delivering visually captivating graphics and endearing performances, its gameplay often lacks depth, resulting in repetitive levels that may quickly lose their charm for seasoned players.
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Pros
- Beautiful, immersive Lego-inspired visuals
- Humorous performances from returning Horizon cast members
Cons
- Doesn’t fully capture Horizon’s intricate world
- Simplistic and repetitive gameplay mechanics
About Lego Horizon Adventures
Lego Horizon Adventures joins the ranks of popular Lego-themed adaptations, including titles like Lego Star Wars and Lego Batman, by reimagining Horizon Zero Dawn’s world through the lens of charming Lego blocks. Instead of the deeply woven lore found in the original game, it offers a more straightforward storyline tailored for younger players. The narrative centers on Aloy, cast out by the Nora Tribe, as she embarks on a journey to discover her origins, guided by her adoptive father, Rost.
Gameplay Mechanics and Tutorial
The game begins by familiarizing players with Aloy’s basic movement and combat skills. This tutorial introduces a kid-friendly combat and movement system that allows players to jump, charge, and shoot arrows in simplified mechanics that mimic Horizon Zero Dawn. Successfully completing the tutorial also rewards players with Aloy’s “Focus” tool, highlighting enemy weak spots for extra damage. Players can adjust the difficulty at any time for added flexibility, catering to both novice and experienced players.
Mother’s Heart: The Central Hub
Mother’s Heart serves as the main hub, from which players access missions and earn rewards. As they progress, players collect “studs” and “gold bricks” that can be used to rebuild and customize Mother’s Heart. These customization options draw inspiration from other Lego themes, such as Lego Ninjago and Lego City. This feature allows players to personalize their hub space, although it ultimately feels a bit empty and underutilized.
The customization options, while amusing, don’t offer much depth, and the additional decor doesn’t impact gameplay or missions. These embellishments primarily serve as collectibles, unlike the hidden Easter eggs and items found in many other Lego games.
Character Progression and Upgrades
In Lego Horizon Adventures, players gradually unlock upgrades for Aloy and her allies — Erend, Varl, and Teersa. These upgrades include classic role-playing elements like XP, defense, and damage boosts. Additionally, the game offers a “Community Jobs Board” where players complete tasks for additional progression-gating rewards. However, the lack of significant exploration and hidden collectibles means these upgrades can sometimes feel like window dressing rather than meaningful progression.
Combat mechanics offer some variety. Players can employ environmental hazards, such as freezing enemies in ice pools or leading foes into electrified water for a tactical edge. Aloy’s gadget collection, including tools like the Tripcaster, allows players to set traps for enemies. Yet, after a few hours of gameplay, these mechanics begin to feel formulaic, especially when revisiting previous biomes for “Apex Hunts,” where the game challenges players to defeat enemies under tougher conditions.
Best Moment
Lego Horizon Adventures shines during its heartfelt cutscenes, where voice actors bring charm and personality to well-loved characters.
Visual and Environmental Design
The game’s visual design truly shines, showcasing Lego environments in gorgeous detail. Using a soft lighting approach, the developers created areas that resemble a physical Lego diorama. From worn-down bricks to realistic weathering on machine parts, the attention to detail is impressive, offering a tactile feel to structures that seems almost handcrafted. The game’s use of various Lego-themed assets, such as pagodas from Ninjago, adds a playful layer, although it sometimes detracts from the world-building by pulling players out of Horizon’s narrative universe.
Despite these visual delights, Lego Horizon Adventures falls short in how it presents the world’s rich backstory. Major narrative moments often play out through cutscenes instead of interactive sequences, which dilutes the emotional impact. Players may feel distanced from the storyline as they watch pivotal events unfold rather than experiencing them firsthand.
Rinse and Repeat Gameplay
The game is divided into four biomes, each with its distinct theme. Although the early levels are filled with captivating visuals and hidden treasures, the formula quickly becomes repetitive. Players travel through these biomes, collecting studs and engaging in the same series of platforming challenges. Occasional boss battles and encounters in the mysterious “Cauldrons” do provide some relief, but the gameplay loop remains largely unchanged.
A Snapshot of Accessibility Features
Lego Horizon Adventures includes accessibility features, such as five difficulty options, aim assist settings, and colorblindness modes (Deuteranope, Protanope, and Tritanopia). Players can adjust subtitle options, choose from various font sizes, and modify text background opacity. There’s also a “Midnight Mode” for sound mixing, designed to highlight quiet audio cues, which can be helpful for players who prefer subtler soundscapes. These features ensure that the game remains accessible and enjoyable for a wide range of players, regardless of age or skill level.
| Accessibility Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Difficulty Levels | Five options: Story to Hero mode |
| Aim Assist | Three levels: Precise, Assisted, Auto |
| Colorblind Modes | Deuteranope, Protanope, Tritanopia |
| Subtitles | Options for size and background opacity |
| Sound Settings | Mono mode, Midnight mixing |
Should You Play Lego Horizon Adventures?
Play it if…
- You want a relaxing, low-stakes experience: Lego Horizon Adventures is ideal for cozy, casual gaming.
- You’re looking for family-friendly fun: With easy difficulty adjustment, it’s accessible for kids and enjoyable in couch co-op mode.
Don’t play it if…
- You expect it to be like other Lego games: Unlike Lego Star Wars or Lego Lord of the Rings, it doesn’t follow its source material beat-for-beat.
- *You want the full *Horizon* experience*: *Lego Horizon Adventures* only covers the Horizon Zero Dawn storyline and excludes other series elements.
Final Verdict
While Lego Horizon Adventures may lack the complexity and replayability of its more intricate counterparts, it succeeds as an accessible entry into the world of Horizon Zero Dawn. The game’s colorful visuals, charming character moments, and family-friendly appeal make it an enjoyable — if brief — adventure for younger players or those looking for an easy-going gaming experience.