LEGO Horizon Adventures Review

LEGO Horizon Adventures is the latest addition to the renowned LEGO Adventures series, which has previously featured popular franchises such as Star Wars, Harry Potter, and Indiana Jones. This installment is inspired by Guerrilla Games’ Horizon series, specifically Horizon Zero Dawn, which is quite welcome considering that the series already has a LEGO Tallneck kit.

While Horizon Zero Dawn is known for its serious tone, LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a refreshing change with its family-friendly, humorous approach. As someone who has never played a LEGO Adventures game before, I found this title to be a delightful surprise!

So, how does LEGO Horizon Adventures stack up against the more intense sci-fi adventure of Horizon Zero Dawn? Surprisingly well! Join Aloy once again, and this time, bring a friend along for a blocky adventure!

Horizon LEGO Dawn

If you’re familiar with the LEGO Adventures series, you likely have a good idea of what to expect. Initially, I approached LEGO Horizon Adventures with some skepticism, anticipating a game primarily aimed at children, similar to Spongebob Squarepants: The Cosmic Shake. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find a tone more akin to The Lego Movie or The Lego Batman Movie—and that’s a positive shift.

The standout feature of LEGO Horizon Adventures is its humor, which is cleverly crafted to appeal to both children and adults. The game seems to target adults who have played the Horizon series, offering a way to introduce their kids to the franchise without delving into its more serious and darker themes. Plus, it spares younger players from the overwhelming nature of open-world gameplay.

The witty banter between Rost and Aloy immediately won me over with its cheeky humor. The game only gets better as characters like Varl, Teersa, Sylens, and Erend are introduced, forming a hilarious ensemble that pokes fun at various aspects of the Horizon series. The voice actors do a fantastic job bringing these characters to life, adding to the overall enjoyment of their comedic performances.

The game is genuinely enjoyable, playing out like an isometric beat-em-up reminiscent of the Marvel Alliance series. Initially, you can control Aloy or Rost, both equipped with bows. As you advance through the story of LEGO Horizon Adventures, additional characters such as Varl, Teersa, and Erend become available.

Each character boasts unique attacks: Varl hurls spears, Teersa throws bombs, and Erend wields a massive hammer. Progressing through the game unlocks rare weapons that enhance your abilities, allowing for more powerful arrow shots or harder hits with the hammer. You’ll also gain access to elemental attacks like fire, frost, and shock. Gadgets such as the Gravity Bomb, the iconic Tripcaster, and the Blast Boots (which enable double jumps) add to the variety of combat options.

In true LEGO Horizon Adventures fashion, the game includes whimsical weapons and gadgets. For instance, the Hot Dog Stand randomly throws bombs at enemies, and Teersa’s Shark and Duck Bombs add a touch of physical humor to your attacks. These elements are sure to delight younger players!

LEGO Horizon Adventures offers two distinct modes of play. The first mode involves exploring Mother’s Heart, your home base that connects you to various stages. Here, you can access buildings to change costumes and customize your surroundings, as well as rescue villagers captured by cultists.

Once you’re done exploring the town, you can advance the story by playing through the game’s chapters. Completing a stage rewards you with a Gold Brick, which can be used to enhance your town. Additionally, you’ll collect studs by defeating enemies, breaking open containers, treasure chests, and constructing random structures. These studs act as currency, allowing you to purchase skills, structures, and costumes.

Horizon: Forbidden Blocks

If you’re expecting a massive adventure spanning dozens of hours, LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a more concise experience, with the main story taking approximately 9-12 hours to complete, depending on the difficulty level. However, there are plenty of additional activities to engage in once the story is finished. You can hunt Apex Machines, embark on Expeditions to explore previously inaccessible areas, and complete tasks on the Community Board in town.

These activities can add an extra 5-10 hours of single-player gameplay. The Community Board, in particular, encourages you to play as different characters and build structures to shape Mother’s Heart according to your vision. Whether that vision includes hot dog stands, a rocket ship, or even a recycling truck, it caters to both the purist and the playful spirit within you.

Moreover, you can dress your characters in whimsical costumes like hot dogs, ninjas, and astronauts. As a LEGO game, these playful elements are expected and add to the fun. Whether you’re a Horizon purist or just looking to have fun, LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a flexible and enjoyable experience. Plus, you can bring a friend along for co-op play!

The game’s recreation of iconic Machines using LEGO blocks is impressive. From Watchers to the formidable Thunderjaw, seeing these machines in LEGO form is a delight. You can even shoot off their parts, staying true to the LEGO tradition. As a returning Horizon fan, LEGO Horizon Adventures truly made my day.

The Apex Hunts are particularly worthwhile if you’re looking for more challenging boss fights after completing the main story. While the 10-hour gameplay might seem brief for seasoned players, it avoids the open-world bloat, which can be a relief.

One minor critique is the lack of a dedicated menu screen. The Community Board and Skill Tree could benefit from a menu option accessible during field adventures. Currently, you need to return to Mother’s Heart and visit the appropriate building to access these features. Despite this, everything else about the game is delightful.

Verdict: Buy It!

In a year full of unexpected delights, LEGO Horizon Adventures stands out as one of the most pleasant surprises. Initially, I didn’t anticipate enjoying this game as much as I did, but it has certainly earned its place among some of the year’s memorable titles. It goes above the typical family action-adventure genre, delivering an experience that is both engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.

While I may not be inclined to explore other LEGO games, I commend the developers for their work on this title. LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a fun, humorous, and robust adventure with solid gameplay mechanics. It’s enjoyable both solo and with friends, and the cooperative play enhances the experience as you navigate the game with iconic characters from the Horizon series.

Approach the game with a sense of humor, and you’re bound to have a great time. Beyond personal enjoyment, this game serves as an excellent introduction to the Horizon series for younger audiences, preparing them for the more expansive adventures that await in the original games.

*LEGO Horizon Adventures was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.