Retrospectives

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 27 – LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

by
ep

“Fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.

Subscribe on YouTube

I began this series in a galaxy far, far away, and with wonderful symmetry, I’ll be ending there too thanks to 2022’s LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.

Journey back to a galaxy far, far away one more time with the culmination of the primary Star Wars nine movie saga bricked up in all it’s glory.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga takes LEGO games, and Star Wars games, to a new level altogether. Feature a galaxy of open-world planets to explore, every major character from the franchise, and the entire Skywalker story recreated across all nine episodes, this is the game that every LEGO Star Wars fan needs…

So, good vs evil, four decades of glorious story-telling, hundreds of established characters, and a wealth of worlds, ships, and moon-sized space-stations to explore. How could this not be the greatest LEGO game ever created?

Let’s take a look and see.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 26 – The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame

by
ep

“The name’s Rex Dangervest. Galaxy defending archaeologist, cowboy, and raptor trainer!”

Released in 2019 and set 5 years after the events of the first LEGO movie videogame, The LEGO Movie 2 videogame picks up the story in a LEGO universe that is now a very different place. The DUPLO race has invaded and the once great city of Bricksburg has been reduced to bricked rubble.
The survivors of the new wasteland live in a small town, aptly named Apocalypseburg.

When a new threat arrives in the form of alien invaders from the Systar System, and all of his friends are kidnapped, it’s up to Emmet to save the day once more. But is he tough enough for the task.
Well, ahhhh, no actually, he’s not.


EPISODE TWENTY-SIX

The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame

Subscribe on YouTube

Overall, The LEGO Movie 2 videogame isn’t for everyone, it’s not the universal pick up and go that TT games have always made, but is that a bad thing really?

Throughout this series I’ve mentioned several times that TT Games’ approach to the LEGO series very much seems to be, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, and whilst they have pushed the envelop and tried new things in the past, the primary focus has always been around refinement of the mechanics. That was, until LEGO Worlds came along and went off on it’s own tangent, to another universe altogether.

It’s safe to assume that this was the way that the developers were considering taking the whole franchise, but it clearly wasn’t meant to be, given The Skywalker Saga’s return to something far more familiar.

So what if this isn’t for everyone, if you’re a fan of LEGO Worlds then you’ll like this a lot, if you’re getting bored of the same old, same old, then you’ll appreciate the change. 

When this game hits it’s footing, there’s a lot of fun to be had, and a lot of replayability options available. It’s just a shame they did play it safe a bit and water down the customisation options compared to LEGO Worlds.

Love it or not, this game is evidence that TT Games are willing to shake things up and risk it all for something new occasionally.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 25 – LEGO DC Super-Villains

by
ep

“I am Lex Luthor, the greatest criminal mastermind of this, or any other Earth!”

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.


EPISODE TWENTY-FIVE

LEGO DC Super-Villains

Subscribe on YouTube

Taking inspiration from a number of the stories in the comic-book world, DC Super-villains tells the tale of a world where even the baddest of the bad must sometimes step up to save the day…if only to protect their own butt.

The arrival of a duplicate justice league from Earth 3, calling themselves the Justice Syndicate, sees Earth 1’s World’s Finest go missing. Taking their place under the guise of a similar superhero team, this super-powered criminal gang are on the hunt for a mother box – the key to unlocking the anti-life equation for their master, Darkseid.

With the population of the world unaware of the Justice Syndicate’s true motives, the fate of the world lies with the only group of people that know the truth, Lex Luthor and the Legion of Doom. Knowing the Justice League are out of the picture, the super-villains must join forces in order to rid the world of the new threat and take the world for their own.

Joining their ranks is a newbie, the Rookie, a mute being able to absorb in powers who may hold the key to “saving the day”…

Overall, LEGO DC Supervillains isn’t THE BEST game TT Games have ever made, but it doesn’t need to be.

Is it perfect? NO. Is it a great LEGO game? YES. Is it a fun DC comics game? VERY MUCH YES.

If you want something that is comic-book entertaining, with a great story, an amazing voice cast, and will give you all of the bells and whistles that made previous games fun to play, then you’re going to love LEGO DC Super-villains.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 24 – LEGO Worlds

by
ep

TO BOLDLY GO….WHERE NO MINIFIGURE HAS GONE BEFORE

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.


EPISODE TWENTY-FOUR

LEGO Worlds

Subscribe on YouTube

Officially released in 2017, LEGO Worlds is a sandbox game that allows players to visit an endless galaxy of procedurally generated worlds.

Ranging from small through to massive, these square worlds contain multiple biomes to explore, from farmland themed Merry Meadows, to lava covered Wicked Wasteland, there are jungles and rainforests, medieval kingdoms, haunted woods, you name it, there’s an environment for all tastes, all created with the wonders of LEGO.

You play an unnamed minifigure who begins life as a generic spaceman with his busted up yet trusted spaceship. After working your way through the basic tutorial and fixing up your ship you’ve got the entire universe to enjoy. Your mission is simple, explore these strange new worlds, seek out new minifigures and new civilisations, to boldly go where no minifigure has gone before…wellll, except for the ones that already live there, that is…

Overall, LEGO Worlds is an ambitious entry into TT Games back catalogue, it’s takes inspiration from some of the first PC LEGO Creator games, throws in a lot of modern technology and ultimately opens up a universe of possibilities.
It’s a fantastic game, for the right audience.

I don’t think that this is game has as wide of an appeal as say LEGO Marvel and DC games. This is a LEGO game that requires time and effort to fully utilise and enjoy to the max and isn’t one to just jump in and out of when you want to enjoy a bit of mindless superheroing.

That being said, if you’re looking for something that allows to build full LEGO worlds with hundreds, if not thousands of possibilities then LEGO Worlds is very much the game for you.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 23 – LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2

by
ep

WELCOME TO CHRONOPOLIS!

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.


EPISODE TWENTY-THREE

LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2

Subscribe on YouTube

It seems only fitting that the game bringing back this series after so long is also the first game I ever featured on the YouTube channel, Marvel’s third entry into the LEGO franchise, LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2.

Released in 2017 and featuring an epic comic book story which spans both space and time, LEGO Marvel 2 sees Kang the Conqueror on the rampage, stealing civilizations from planets across history and transporting them to his very own World of Worlds, Chronopolis. After witnessing Kang’s attack on Xandar, the Guardians of the Galaxy arrive on Earth only to be transported, along with modern-day Manhattan, to the mysterious planet out of time.

Now, the Guardians, along with the Avengers, the Defenders, the Inhumans and a multiverse of other Marvel superheroes, must team up to navigate Chronopolis, take down the worst villains the galaxy can throw at them, stop Kang, and return everyone to their proper place in the space-time continuum.

Overall, four years later and this is still an amazing game to play and it’s very clear that LEGO DC Supervillains owes a lot to LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 in terms of near perfect mechanics, a large diverse open-world and the confidence to go completely mental with comic book source material and make something truly great.

LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 is a shining example of how good TT Games can be at their best and how a truly engrossing comic book story can elevate a game beyond it’s peers.

If you’re a massive Marvel fanboy or fangirl, you’ll love the Easter eggs. If you’re a casual Marvel fan, prepare to learn A LOT about the comics. Either way there’s a lot of enjoyment for all to be had.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 22 – LEGO The Incredibles

by
eo

HONEY! WHHHHEEERRREEE IS MY SUPERSUIT!

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.


EPISODE TWENTY-TWO

LEGO The Incredibles

Subscribe on YouTube

Released in 2018 to coincide with the debut of the long-awaited sequel movie, LEGO The Incredibles was a surprisingly genius move by TT Games. With the exception of Pirates of the Caribbean, Disney’s entries in the LEGO-based games genre have been solely focused on IP’s that they purchased which already had existing relationships with LEGO; Star Wars, Marvel, Indiana Jones, all now under the House of Mouse brand, had long since debuted in the LEGO games market.

Incredibles on the other hand, gave Pixar it’s time to finally shine, and with all the ingredients for utilising the solid tried and tested mechanics of a TT Games LEGO entry, i.e. Superhero abilities to offer, this was surely a no-brainer. Even if after well over a decade of LEGO franchised games, I still didn’t see this coming.

Overall, LEGO The Incredibles is a surprisingly good instalment in the LEGO TT Games franchise, not because it’s content heavy, not because it mind-blowingly innovative like Dimensions, but because it doesn’t take itself seriously and is pure fun.

Much like the LEGO Ninjago Movie game, it’s short, but incredibly fun with just enough innovation to make it unique.

If you’ve not played this game, then I do recommend giving it a go. Just remember to watch the movies first if you don’t want to be spoiled.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 21 – LEGO Dimensions (Year 2)

by
eo

MUST GO FAST!

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.


EPISODE TWENTY-ONE

LEGO Dimensions (Year 2)

Subscribe on YouTube

After the first year, TT Games upped the game a bit and released a major new patch which unlocked an entirely new area on the main Voltron level select area called the Shard. This new area opened up a load of new franchises that were joining the game over the coming year and so began the era of LEGO Dimensions year 2.

Now, I spent a lot of the previous video ranting about how unbelievable it was that TT Games managed to pull together the franchise clout that they did. I mean, Doctor Who, Scooby Doo, Jurassic World and The Simpsons all in one game, that was amazing…A dream come true.

But nothing, nothing compared me for what year 2 had on offer…it was EPIC!

Harry Potter, Sonic the Hedgehog, Adventure Time, Mission Impossible, Ghostbusters (2016), Fantastic Beasts, The A Team, Knightrider, Beetlejuice, The LEGO Batman Movie, Teen Titans, LEGO City Undercover, Gremlins, the Goonies, and even the Power-puff Girls, THAT’s one hell of a roster! In terms of franchises on offer, the year 2 update is mind blowing when you add it to the already incredible year 1 offerings. Plus if you’re a fan of the 1980’s, I mean, come on, the only thing missing here is Thundercats…

Incredibles on the other hand, gave Pixar it’s time to finally shine, and with all the ingredients for utilising the solid tried and tested mechanics of a TT Games LEGO entry, i.e. Superhero abilities to offer, this was surely a no-brainer. Even if after well over a decade of LEGO franchised games, I still didn’t see this coming.

Overall, LEGO Dimensions had the potential to crash and burn after a majorly successful first year, and while a few of the new franchises feel like an afterthought and thrown in for good measure, the transition to LEGO was superb for a number of the more popular characters.

…seriously Sonic’s addition here is unbelievably brilliant in every way.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 20 – LEGO Dimensions (Year 1)

by
eo

BREAK THE RULES!

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.


EPISODE TWENTY

LEGO Dimensions (Year 1)

Subscribe on YouTube

At this milestone, there is only game worthy that I’ve not already reviewed….and it’s a big one. So settle in people for the mind-blowing, franchise mashing, genre defining, behemoth that is TT Games’ crowning achievement, LEGO Dimensions. Given the size of this game, this will be the first two-parter of the series will this video focused solely on Year 1.

Skylanders did it well, Disney tried to copy it…but didn’t really succeed…Nintendo had (and still have) their amiibos, but then, in 2015, TT Games joined the Toys to life genre and the game changed…. Before LEGO hit the scene, the toys to life genre was a little bit dull outside of the game itself. You buy the figures, you plug them in, you play the game and that is about it as much interaction as you got, there wasn’t any real value, other than as a collectors item, added by the figures, it was literally just a gimmick.

TT Games changed all that, thanks to their relationship with arguably the biggest name in toys, bringing a mixture of physical builds and virtual adventures together in one amazing game. LEGO Dimensions tagline was “break the rules” and that’s exactly what it did.

Overall, LEGO Dimensions was and still remains, the best example of what the toys-to-games genre had the potential to be, I was genuinely sad the day TT Games announced that no more sets were being released for it.

The smorgasbord of licenced content is a true representation of just how powerful a brand LEGO really is and TT Games more than justified the trust that these companies put into this game.

My love for LEGO Dimensions comes not just from being a geek and loving most of these franchises, though that is a big part, but also as a parent and how LEGO and TT Games not only created an entertaining product but also one that is thought-provoking and sees kids actually playing with real toys in the process.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 19 – LEGO City Undercover

by
eo

“I know Kung-Fu….”

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.


EPISODE NINETEEN

LEGO City Undercover

Subscribe on YouTube

In December, Xbox announced that one of the games leaving the service as part of their monthly rotation was LEGO City Undercover, a game I’d never played before, and one that I’ve yet to review on this series…and so in January began a race against time to 100% complete one of LEGO’s most expansive additions…

When you look through the entirety of TT Games LEGO history, almost every game in the series is based on a third party license; Star Wars, Marvel, DC Comics, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, Pirates of the Caribbean…just name a few. There are actually very few games based on LEGO’s own creations, and most of those are based on a movie. LEGO City Undercover, TT Games once Wii U exclusive, stands alone as a truly unique creation, with inspirations from the LEGO City sets as well as pretty much every cop TV show and movie from the 70s and 80s.

The story follows Chase McCain, a former cop of LEGO City who left after some trouble with a big case. Returning at the request of the mayor, Chase learns that the big-time arrest he made before left, Rex Fury, has escaped from prison and Chase’s former love interest is in danger. Reinstated to the force, it’s up to Chase to take down the crime lords of the city and surround areas on his quest to bring Rex to justice once more.

Overall, LEGO City Undercover may well be the best LEGO game out there as of this video (The Skywalker Saga isn’t out yet). In the past I’ve always seemed more interested in LEGO games based on franchises I love and that’s why I never played this one on release. I regret that now.

So much of this game is unique to the franchise, inspired and evolving ideas from throughout the series’ history. This game is just so much fun, it never gets dull, as there’s so much variety in the open world.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 18 – LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

by
ep

“Archaeology is the search for fact… not truth. If it’s truth you’re looking for, Dr. Tyree’s philosophy class is right down the hall.”

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.


EPISODE EIGHTEEN

LEGO Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures

Subscribe on YouTube

Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Temple of Doom and The Last Crusade are three of my favourite movies of all time, they’re post-Star Wars Harrison Ford at his absolute peak and with the aforementioned Spielberg and Lucas involved, what’s not to like – Though the big bang theory did once try and ruin the Lost Ark by pointing out that had Indy not been involved, the movie would likely have had the same ending – thanks Sheldon and co for that…

Anyway, plot holes aside, the Original Trilogy took us around the world, on treasure hunts with a hint of supernatural thrown in as Indy brought myths and legends to life, while being chased and shot at by Nazi’s, and crazy shamans who list their hobbies as hanging out in fire pits, eating monkey brains and ripping the hearts out of men’s chests. Epic old school adventure.

So, with that calibre of source material, how well does the LEGO adventure replicate the awesomeness? Really well actually, I’d say in terms of movie to LEGO game transitions, this was definitely on par with the original LEGO Star Wars games that came out around the same time.

Overall, I found this game extremely fun to jump back into after so long. Having played a lot of LEGO Star Wars over the last couple of months, LEGO Indiana Jones felt like a definite upgrade in game play, it felt like a much more modern experience in LEGO Games.

The game’s story does a brilliant job of recreating some of the best bits from the trilogy, even if it does take a few liberties to make it a more family friendly affair. The levels are huge and each environment unique for the occasion, a joy of a game to play.

Highly recommended.

Keep up to date with all the latest from this series of videos and other from Life In Brick by heading over to our YouTube Channel and subscribing.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 17 – The LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game

by
ep

“To understand your future you must go back to your ninja roots.”

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.


EPISODE SEVENTEEN

The LEGO Ninjago Movie Video Game

Subscribe on YouTube

Released in 2017, The Lego Ninjago Movie follows the continued adventures of the Lloyd, Nya, Zane, Jay, Cole and Kai as they work as part of a secret ninja force protecting Ninjago from the evil Lord Garmadon, who just so happens to be Lloyd’s dad.

Following the return of Master Wu, the team learn of an Ultimate Weapon which can be used to destroy the evil Lord once and for all – which turns out to be a laser pointer which can call forth Meowthra, a live-action cat. Despite Wu warning the team never to use the weapon, Lloyd inadvertently seal the ninjas defeat by using Meowthra on Garmadon.

Luckily for Lloyd, there is an Ultimate, Ultimate weapon out there which can defeat Meowthra and save Ninjago City. And so begins a question to retrieve the weapon…

One of the great things about utilising LEGO’s own themes is that TT Games already have a head-start for environments, character and vehicle (In this case some AWESOME mechs) and with the movie thrown in as well, there was a lot of source material to work from to get this game right. Where the movie received very mixed reviews, however, the reception for the game was largely positive and with good reason. It’s a great game, it’s actually a high point in the continued evolution of TT Games, LEGO games.

Overall and I’m pleasantly surprised by this game. This is the first one of this series that I hadn’t played previously and playing it now for the first time has been a very enjoyable experience all round.

Every now and again TT Games take a big chance and try something new, some times these fail (Indy 2 is a perfect example), some times they succeed, and the LEGO Ninjago Video game definitely falls into that second category.

A wave of innovations is a risky thing for a 12 year old franchise to do, but one that has worked exceptionally well here. While the movie may not have blown fans away in the cinema, this game will certainly please Ninjago fans. As I said at the start of this video, however, I’m not an avid fan of the theme and so given how much I’ve enjoyed playing this game I’d urge even those who haven’t visited Ninjago City before to give it a try, you wont regret it.

Keep up to date with all the latest from this series of videos and other from Life In Brick by heading over to our YouTube Channel and subscribing.

LEGO Games Retrospective Episode 16 – LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

by
lswretro

“Great leaders inspire greatness in others.”

LEGO Games Retrospective, looking back over the last decade and a bit of TT Games’ LEGO partnership, from the emergence of LEGO Star Wars through to the powerhouse that has been LEGO Dimensions and BEYOND.


EPISODE SIXTEEN

LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars

Subscribe on YouTube

As 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of LEGO Star Wars as a theme, it seems fitting to restart this series with this game, as I’ve already covered the others. So let’s recap. From 2005 until 2007, TT Games released a series of LEGO games based on the Skywalker saga, with LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game, LEGO Star Wars 2: The Original Trilogy, and LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga, a combination of the previous two games, I’m actually let’s playing this right now of the YouTube channel if you’re interested.

Anyway, after year on year success, the LEGO Jedi went quiet for four years, an eternity to LEGO Star Wars fans. In 2011, however, we finally got some new light-saber wielding awesomeness to enjoy in LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars.

Now I’m not going to say I loved this game when it first released because, honestly, I didn’t. Having not watched the animated show at the time, I didn’t feel the same connection with the source material as I did the previous Star Wars games and with design changes to characters, something didn’t click for me.

Replaying this game now, however, and I have to say, my mind has been completely changed. With modern LEGO games bringing so much innovation over the years to the franchise, going back and playing LEGO Star Wars III has shown how ahead of it’s time this game was. I’m probably not alone in my original view of this game, however, and that’s why, as I said earlier, this is probably the most underrated LEGO game.

Keep up to date with all the latest from this series of videos and other from Life In Brick by heading over to our YouTube Channel and subscribing.