Released this Thursday, November 14, the new LEGO Horizon Adventures is already the subject of numerous reviews, with very varied opinions. Is this game inspired by the grandiose Horizon New Dawn worth buying?
It’s not uncommon for LEGO video games to delve into very popular franchises (like Harry Potter, Marvel, Jurassic Parkor even Star Wars), but this is the first time that the toy company has taken over the universe of another video game. In this case, the latest novelty made from bricks and mortar is openly inspired by a masterpiece of the genre: Horizon Zero Dawn.
Available on Nintendo Switch, PC and PlayStation 5, LEGO Horizon Adventures since its announcement, has aroused a certain enthusiasm among players, impatient to explore the adaptation of a big name in video games. Risky bet for Guerrilla, its developer? The reviews have appeared and the notes diverge, sources of contradictory opinions sometimes diametrically opposed.
Visuals to die for
The main point of Guerrilla Games’ new toy is its graphic and visual quality. Thanks to the beauty and work put into the settings, the player’s immersion and pleasure are increased more than ever. The natural environments in which the player will accomplish his missions are particularly successful, with very convincing lighting effects and a variety of colors that are very pleasing to the eye.
“Graphically very pleasant and enjoying excellent fluidity, the new LEGO game is a real technical gap for the red brick version opus,” according to MGGenchanted by the beauty of LEGO Horizon Adventures. Gamekult even think that this one “can certainly claim the title of best-looking LEGO game to date”.
The primitive world of Horizon Zero Dawn is transcribed in a very honorable manner, all in 100% LEGO. Unlike the old games where the settings were somewhat realistic and denoted the typical brick universe of the Danish manufacturer, the world of LEGO Horizon Adventures is a true assembly of parts, as meticulous as it is impeccable.
Local cooperation welcome but criticized
Designed to be a family game, LEGO Horizon Adventures allows its players to play local co-op, a feature gleefully highlighted by reviewers. The ability to share your adventure in Aloy’s world with others is a real asset, especially since the fluidity of the game is not disturbed at all.
This is a “However, an effective and almost essential addition since it promises to be the preferred mode for playing with (or between) children”, according to Jeuxvideo.com.
A scenario at odds with the base game?
As with all other LEGO games, LEGO Horizon Adventures deviates more or less freely from its source in terms of plot. The gap dug with the original game (or film) is a topos specific to LEGO creations, in a desire for simplification, not without adding a certain comic and childish touch.
Even if LEGO Horizon Adventures seeks to reconnect with Horizon Zero Dawnby taking its characters and its post-apocalyptic settings, notable differences should be noted between the two games. It goes without saying that the seriousness of the original title has been particularly forgotten, to leave room for “traits of humor […] permanent (which) can make young and old smile”according to Jeuxvideos.com.
For others, the comical nature of the new Guerrilla undermines the player’s pleasure, with “jokes (which) still often fall flat and even smell reheated”, according to Gameblog. It is certain that adult players will be much less satisfied than their younger counterparts, due to too much emphasis on lightness and comedy.
Very divisive fights
Between platform games, exploration and action scenes, LEGO Horizon Adventures varies its gameplay while respecting the universe of Horizon Zero Dawn. Critics mention the very pleasant nature of the clashes against enemies.
Thanks to an arena system, the player will often have to prove himself. The opponents, who appear in waves, can only be defeated thanks to his precision and the strategies he will put in place to lead to victory. With four characters available throughout the adventure (Aloy, Varl, Teersa and Erend), each with their own tactics and weapons, the gameplay possibilities are multiplied.
LEGO thus offers through its title a completely different approach to the combat system, enough to satisfy regulars of the license.
Redundancy: THE big flaw of this LEGO adaptation
The scenario of LEGO Horizon Adventures undoubtedly remains the major downside of the latest LEGO video game adaptation. Critics point out the repetitive nature of the hours of play, both in terms of setting and gameplay.
Guerrilla Games does not provide enough environments for its latest title, giving the player the impression of going in circles and repeating the same missions over and over again: “The gameplay loop consists of going on big hunts then expeditions with the aim of recovering studs,” comments Jeuxvideo.com. “These vary little. […] So it’s just about doing the same four expeditions over and over again.”
The lifespan of LEGO Horizon Adventuresrather short, also leaves a bitter taste in the mouth of the specialized press. Only 6 hours are needed to complete the plot, taking your time on intermediate difficulty. The speed of its completion is criticized by MGG, who believes that “the title looks more like a trial than a full game and it’s frustrating because we would have liked to play it for a few more hours.”
Thus, despite a notable and appreciable graphic leap, LEGO Horizon Adventures does not convince the specialized press, which, on the whole, admitted to being rather disappointed by the latest LEGO title.