LEGO Horizon Adventures promised a fascinating reimagining of PlayStation’s modern classic, Horizon Zero Dawn. Injected with the beloved light-hearted charm of classic LEGO games, complete with the trademark sense of humor, you collect LEGO studs, bricks and unlock characters. As a long-time fan of the Traveler’s Tales LEGO games, I was eagerly anticipating being able to relive Aloy’s somewhat serious journey with a LEGO-infused twist.
However, while the game manages to capture much of the visual magic and humor you’d expect from a Lego title, it sometimes stumbles in terms of maintaining the depth needed to attract older players and newcomers to the series. .
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What sets LEGO Horizon Adventure apart is its visuals. The post-apocalyptic world has been painstakingly and beautifully reimagined in LEGO brick form, showcasing incredible details that are a feast for the eyes. There are two modes here, both of which really set the game apart visually. I reviewed this on a standard PlayStation 5, switching between performance mode and hi-fi. Thankfully, there were only a few visual differences between the two.
However, examining the levels reveals some drawbacks. Unlike the interactive and fragile environments of past LEGO games, many of the landscapes in LEGO Horizon Adventures feel a bit static. This lack of interactivity is obvious when compared to something like Astro Bot, another PlayStation platformer that makes every object and challenge engaging. Here, only selected barrels can be broken to yield studs, collectibles, and secrets, which may be disappointing for long-time LEGO fans.
Chests full of studs and minor Lego pieces are haphazardly placed along the main paths, and the lack of hidden treasure or unique Easter eggs makes exploration feel linear. Simple environmental puzzles with fire and explosives provide variety, but the more you play, the more repetitive they feel.
On a more positive note, Horizon Zero Dawn’s reimagining of the iconic robot dinosaur in Lego form is great. Each encounter brings the excitement of seeing how these terrifying creatures, from Tallneck to Snapmaw, are rebuilt in LEGO’s signature style. Combat stays true to the original series’ emphasis on hitting weak spots, but with a simplified approach to isometric gameplay.
Players simply guide their character’s weapon in the right direction and it automatically locks onto a target, making combat easier, but it lacks the dynamic complexity of the original. It also lacks camera controls, which I found hindered gameplay. You cannot span to see enemies around you. There’s simply a locked top-down view and you can use focus to identify if there are enemies in the area or not. It was incredibly disappointing.
The variety of characters in combat is fun in parts, but somewhat uneven. You can play as Aloy, Vaal, Elend, and Teartha. Each character has unique weapons and specific gadgets that help with more difficult levels. Each weapon has its own unique properties, and pickups like elemental enhancements and fun gadgets like a hot dog truck that shoots explosives add some classic Lego-style creativity. However, combat can feel repetitive, Aloy doesn’t have a melee spear attack, and the dodge mechanic feels oddly tied to consumable pickups.
build away
Despite these gameplay limitations, the story remains a highlight. It simplifies Horizon Zero Dawn’s complex story to suit a younger audience, but does a good job of capturing the essence and themes found in the original plot. Aloy’s journey is complemented by the right amount of humor and Lost’s self-aware narration, providing engaging storytelling with a Lego twist. Ashly Burch’s voice work shines as always, bringing a playful energy that fits the tone of the game. “Free studs? Surprise me, Brick! These are some fun one-liners that introduce a different, relatively fresh side of Aloy.
The customization options are fun and perfect for Lego games. Players can dress Aloy and other characters in outlandish costumes such as chicken costumes and Ninjago suits. Customizing Nora’s village, Mother’s Heart, with buildable upgrades adds a fascinating layer to the overworld, allowing players to unlock abilities and take on challenges. The world of Ninjago fits perfectly here, with additional themes to unlock in Lego City and Amusement Park, allowing you to accelerate your gameplay to unlock them all.
The upgrade system is present but not overwhelming. Promoting your character to level 20 improves damage and health, and overall upgrades offer small perks like increased XP gain and expanded attribute effects. Collecting gold and red bricks incentivizes completionists. Gold Bricks are earned through story progression and community challenges, while Red Bricks are earned by conquering Alpha Machine Hunts.
The game is approximately 10-12 hours long, with missions divided into four chapters spanning different biomes. Tallneck and Cauldron provide fun diversions, and Alpha Machine Hunt enhances the challenge.
While the story missions can blur into each other, these hunts and co-op play (both local and online) inject cooperative fun into the game, making it more lively when shared with friends. It will be. Sadly, once all this is done, you can try out and play the mission areas in ‘free mode’. However, there’s no incentive to do this as it feels like a rehash of the story and lacks the open world that previous Lego games offered.
final thoughts
Overall, Lego Horizon Adventures generally excels in visual splendor, humor, and creative adaptation of the source material. The gameplay could use a bit more interactivity and depth, but it’s still a fun, family-friendly take on Horizon Zero Dawn that stays true to LEGO’s trademark charm.
If you’re looking for a light-hearted adventure that pays homage to a popular series, this game will satisfy in every way. If you have kids, this is the perfect entry point into the world of Horizon, and the co-op gameplay both locally and online means everyone can enjoy it equally.
4 stars (out of 5)
Highlights: Great entry into Horizon for families, co-op is fun, gorgeous visuals
Cons: Camera controls limit combat styles: Lack of open world hampers overall game longevity
Developer: Studio Gobo, Guerrilla Games
Publisher: PlayStation Studio
Platform: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Windows PC
Available: Currently
Review was conducted on PlayStation 5 using a release code provided by the publisher.
