LEGO Horizon Adventures promised a captivating reimagining of the PlayStation modern classic, Horizon Zero Dawn. Infused with the beloved, lighthearted charm of the classic LEGO games, complete with their trademark sense of humour, collecting LEGO studs, bricks and unlocking characters. As a lifelong fan of Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO games, I eagerly anticipated reliving Aloy’s somewhat serious journey with a LEGO-infused twist.
However, while the game manages to capture much of the visual magic and humour expected from LEGO titles, it sometimes stumbles in sustaining the depth needed to draw in older players or series newcomers.
Brick by Brick
The standout aspect of LEGO Horizon Adventures is its visuals. The post-apocalyptic world is painstakingly and beautifully reimagined in the form of LEGO bricks, showcasing an incredible amount of detail that delights the eyes. There are two modes here and both manage to make the visuals of this game stand out. I did review this on the standard PlayStation 5 and toggled between performance mode and hi-fidelity. Thankfully, there were only slight visual differences between the two.
Exploring the levels, however, reveals a few shortcomings. Unlike the interactive, breakable environments in past LEGO games, much of the scenery in LEGO Horizon Adventures feels a little static. This lack of interactivity becomes evident when compared to something like Astro Bot, another PlayStation platformer that makes every object and challenge engaging. Here, only select barrels break to yield studs, collectibles and secrets, which can be disappointing for long-time LEGO fans.
Stud-filled chests and minor LEGO builds are placed haphazardly along the main path, and the lack of hidden treasures or unique easter eggs leaves the exploration feeling linear. Some straightforward environmental puzzles involving fire or explosives add variety, but they feel repetitive the more you play.
On a more positive note, the reimagining of Horizon Zero Dawn’s iconic robotic dinosaurs into LEGO form is superb. Each encounter brings the excitement of seeing how these formidable creatures, from Tallnecks to Snap-Maws, have been reconstructed with LEGO’s signature style. Combat stays true to the original series’ emphasis on targeting weak points, though with a simplified approach for the isometric gameplay.
Players need only guide their character’s weapon in the right direction as it auto-locks on targets, making combat accessible but lacking the dynamic intricacies of its source material. There is also a lack of camera control which I found inhibits gameplay here, you are unable to view the enemies around you by spanning, you simply have a locked top-down view and use your focus to identify if there are enemies in the area is all you can do. It was incredibly disappointing.
Character variety in combat is enjoyable in parts but somewhat uneven. You can play as Aloy, Varl, Erend and Teersa. Each character has a unique weapon and certain gadgets that may help with the more difficult levels. Each weapon has unique traits, and pickups like elemental enhancements or fun gadgets, such as a hotdog truck that flings explosives, add traditional LEGO-style creativity. However, combat can feel repetitive, with no close-quarters spear attacks for Aloy and a limited dodge mechanic that feels oddly tied to consumable pickups.
Build Away
Despite these gameplay limitations, the story remains a highlight. While it simplifies the complex narrative of Horizon Zero Dawn to cater to younger audiences, it successfully captures the essence and themes found in the original plot. Aloy’s journey, complemented by well-placed humour and Rost’s self-aware narration, provides engaging storytelling with a LEGO twist. Ashly Burch’s voice work shines, as always, bringing a playful energy that fits the game’s tone. Lines like “Free studs? Amaze-bricks!” are among some of the fun one-liners here that showcase a different and relatively fresh side of Aloy.
Customisation options are fun and fitting for a LEGO game. Players can dress Aloy and other characters in whimsical outfits like chicken costumes or Ninjago suits. Customising the Nora village, Mother’s Heart, with buildable upgrades adds a charming layer to the overworld, where players can unlock abilities and launch challenges. The world of Ninjago fits in well here and there are additional themes to unlock with LEGO City and Amusement Park which can fuel your gameplay to unlock it all.
The upgrade system, though present, feels underwhelming. Progressing characters to level 20 boosts damage and health, while overall upgrades provide modest perks such as increased XP gains or extended elemental effects. Collecting Gold and Red bricks offers some incentive for completionists, with Gold Bricks awarded for story progression and community challenges, and Red Bricks for conquering Alpha Machine Hunts.
The game spans roughly 10-12 hours, with missions divided into four chapters that are set across distinct biomes. Tallnecks and Cauldrons provide enjoyable diversions, and Alpha Machine Hunts ramp up the challenge.
While the Story Missions can blur together, these hunts and co-op play (both local and online) infuse the game with cooperative fun, making it more lively when shared with a friend. Sadly when all of this is completed, you can try and play the mission areas in “free mode” However there is no incentive to do this as it feels like a rehash of the story and lacks the open-world that previous LEGO games offer.
Final Thoughts
Overall, LEGO Horizon Adventures generally excels in visual splendour, humour, and creative adaptations of its source material. While the gameplay could use a little more interactivity and depth, it remains an enjoyable, family-friendly take on Horizon Zero Dawn that stays true to LEGO’s trademark charm.
If you’re looking for a light-hearted adventure with some nods to a beloved series, this game delivers on all spades. If you have kids, this is the perfect entry point into the Horizon universe, and the co-op gameplay both local and online, makes sure that everyone can join in the fun as well.
FOUR STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
Highlights: Great entry point to Horizon for families, Co-op play is fun, Gorgeous visuals
Lowlights: Camera control limits fighting style: Lack of an open world inhibits the overall longevity of the game
Developer: Studio Gobo, Guerilla Games
Publisher: PlayStation Studios
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC
Available: Now
Review conducted on the PlayStation 5 with a release code provided by the publisher.
