Lego Horizon Adventures Review

Lego Horizon Adventures arrives as a unique twist on the acclaimed Horizon series, blending the open-world thrills of Horizon Zero Dawn with the whimsical, family-friendly charm of Lego games. Developed by Guerrilla Games and Studio Gobo, this spin-off reinvents Aloy’s iconic journey in a Lego-themed adventure, bringing a fresh and colourful take to her epic quest to unravel the mysteries of her world. Released for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, and PC, it also marks a significant milestone for Sony, as it’s one of the few PlayStation-exclusive series titles to debut on a Nintendo console, aiming to reach a broader, younger audience.

The shift to a Lego-themed environment doesn’t just change the visuals; it transforms the tone, adopting the playful humor and accessible gameplay that Lego games are known for. In Lego Horizon Adventures, players follow a lighthearted retelling of Aloy’s journey from outcast to savior, this time with a focus on environmental stewardship and community rather than the apocalyptic stakes of the original. It’s a family-friendly reimagining, designed to appeal to both fans of the Horizon series and Lego enthusiasts alike.

Gameplay-wise, Lego Horizon Adventures introduces several tweaks and features to fit the Lego style, including a mix of combat and exploration from an isometric perspective. Players can customize both Aloy and the hub world with Lego elements, and the game includes a two-player co-op mode, making it ideal for parents and kids to play together. The combat remains familiar for Horizon fans, with a focus on Aloy’s signature bow and arrow as well as the weak-point targeting system for taking down machine enemies—now redesigned with a Lego aesthetic that adds a quirky layer to every encounter.

Despite its playful approach, the game doesn’t shy away from complexity. Using Unreal Engine 5, Lego Horizon Adventures incorporates modern graphical features like ray tracing, adding a visual polish rarely seen in Lego titles. But while the game’s visuals shine, its reception has been mixed, with critics appreciating the fun, family-friendly experience yet noting that some of the depth from the original game feels watered down. Still, Lego Horizon Adventures stands as an imaginative experiment that introduces Horizon’s world to a new generation of players.

Setting and Story

Lego Horizon Adventures reinterprets the post-apocalyptic world of Horizon Zero Dawn in a format that balances a sense of adventure with a more lighthearted tone. Set in a version of Earth overrun by robotic creatures, players explore a landscape dotted with the remnants of a lost civilization, now entirely recreated in colorful Lego bricks. This Lego-infused world still boasts the natural beauty of Horizon’s landscapes, but with a playful twist. Lush forests, sweeping mountains, and mysterious ruins are transformed into buildable environments, adding an interactive element where players can piece together structures or even create new paths through Lego brick manipulation.

The story follows Aloy, a young hunter and outcast from her tribe, as she embarks on a quest to uncover the secrets of her past and her connection to the world’s robotic creatures. However, in Lego Horizon Adventures, the narrative takes a backseat to humor and family-friendly themes, focusing less on the original’s darker, apocalyptic tones. Aloy’s motivations are simplified; she’s driven by curiosity and a desire to protect her friends and family rather than by existential threats. This narrative shift allows for plenty of humorous encounters, with machines that exhibit exaggerated Lego-like behaviors and dialogue that’s filled with lighthearted banter.

Characters from Horizon Zero Dawn return, including Rost, Varl, and Erend, all of whom play roles in Aloy’s journey. Each character is voiced by the original cast, bringing an authentic feel to the game despite its reimagined context. Notably, the late Lance Reddick’s character, Sylens, has been recast with Tim Russ, who captures the enigmatic nature of this key character. The recasting was carefully handled, adding continuity to Sylens’ presence without losing his trademark mysterious edge.

The game’s storyline also draws upon environmental themes, with Aloy’s journey highlighting a sense of responsibility for the natural world. In a subtle nod to The Lego Movie, characters and environments occasionally “break apart” in moments of humor or action, creating a dynamic, almost animated feel to the Lego pieces. Lego Horizon Adventures succeeds in making Aloy’s story accessible to younger audiences by turning serious themes into teachable moments about teamwork, exploration, and the value of community, all while remaining true to the spirit of the Horizon universe.

Gameplay and Mechanics

Lego Horizon Adventures combines classic Lego gameplay mechanics with elements from the Horizon series, creating a unique blend of action, exploration, and puzzle-solving. Players control Aloy in an isometric perspective, navigating landscapes filled with machine enemies and puzzles crafted from Lego bricks. True to Horizon’s roots, Lego Horizon Adventures incorporates a weak-point targeting system, allowing players to take advantage of strategic aiming to dismantle enemies piece by piece. Combat is simplified compared to the main Horizon games, but it still requires players to pay attention to enemy patterns and environmental opportunities, keeping it engaging for all ages.

The game’s five difficulty levels add flexibility, making it accessible for newcomers while also offering a challenge for more experienced players. For those looking for a more relaxed experience, lower difficulties provide simplified combat and forgiving checkpoints. At higher levels, players must use Aloy’s full arsenal effectively, targeting weak points with precision and timing dodges carefully. This range in difficulty ensures that Lego Horizon Adventures can be enjoyed by both children and seasoned gamers, a testament to the game’s balance between accessibility and depth.

Customization plays a significant role in Lego Horizon Adventures. Aloy herself can be outfitted with a variety of Lego-styled costumes, including nods to other PlayStation franchises like Ratchet & Clank and LittleBigPlanet as part of the digital deluxe edition. In addition to customizing Aloy, players can personalize the game’s hub world—a vibrant and interactive Lego environment filled with secrets, collectibles, and mini-challenges. This hub serves as a gathering place where players can showcase their creativity, swap outfits, and add playful items that reflect their progress and achievements throughout the game.

The cooperative two-player mode offers even more fun, allowing players to team up with friends or family to tackle challenges together. After completing the prologue, the second player can join as a custom character and assist in combat or puzzle-solving. This feature is especially enjoyable in tougher battles or in navigating intricate puzzle sections where teamwork can make a difference. The cooperative mode is local only, encouraging side-by-side play and adding a social element to the adventure that fits perfectly with the game’s family-friendly tone.

Multiplayer and Replayability

Lego Horizon Adventures brings multiplayer to the forefront with its two-player cooperative mode, which makes exploring the world of Horizon much more engaging and dynamic. The addition of a second player, joining as a customizable Lego character, allows players to strategize together in battles, solve puzzles collaboratively, and even pull off combined attacks against the game’s iconic machine foes. This feature not only makes the game more accessible to younger players but also adds a delightful layer of interaction, especially suited for family play. Co-op encourages communication and teamwork, making it an ideal game for friends and family to enjoy together.

For those looking to make the most of their time in the game, the replayability factor is substantial. In addition to the main storyline, players will find hidden secrets scattered throughout the game’s various regions. Collectibles such as special Lego pieces, character outfits, and unique weapons encourage players to explore every nook and cranny of the environment. Since each area is built entirely from Lego bricks, players are often rewarded with new items or customization options for Aloy and the hub world, incentivizing them to revisit areas and search for every hidden collectible.

The hub world also offers numerous activities that enhance the game’s longevity. Mini-challenges and side quests appear in the hub as players progress through the story, adding layers of content beyond the main quest. These quests range from quick puzzle-solving activities to skill-based challenges that require precision and timing. The Lego theme lends itself perfectly to these optional activities, which offer a break from combat and allow players to enjoy a more relaxed, playful experience while gathering items and unlocking rewards.

To ensure continued engagement, Lego Horizon Adventures includes several difficulty settings and a trophy/achievement system. The various difficulty levels encourage players to try new tactics or revisit earlier levels with enhanced skills, making it fun to experiment with different strategies. The trophy system challenges players to accomplish specific feats, adding depth for completionists who wish to unlock every achievement. This mix of cooperative play, collectibles, and additional challenges creates an experience with strong replay value, allowing players to keep returning to the game long after completing the main story.

Graphics and Sound

Visually, Lego Horizon Adventures is a stunning blend of classic Lego charm and the vast, natural beauty of the Horizon series. Built using Unreal Engine 5, the game leverages advanced visual techniques like ray-traced lighting, which adds remarkable depth to its environments, especially on the PlayStation 5 and high-end PC versions. This technological leap makes the world look vivid and realistic, with light reflecting off Lego bricks in a way that gives them a polished, almost cinematic quality. The attention to detail in rendering both the natural and mechanical elements in Lego form results in a charming and surprisingly immersive visual experience.

The game’s fixed isometric camera angle, a nod to traditional Lego games, is cleverly designed to provide an optimal view of both the action and the environment. The choice of a fixed perspective ensures that players can appreciate the intricacies of the Lego-built landscapes without becoming overwhelmed. Unlike the sprawling open vistas of other Horizon games, Lego Horizon Adventures maintains a more contained but richly detailed world, where every rock, tree, and machine part is crafted from individual Lego pieces. This approach not only reinforces the game’s playful theme but also invites players to imagine recreating the game’s environments with physical Lego bricks.

The sound design, including voice acting from the original Horizon cast, is another standout feature. Ashly Burch’s return as Aloy brings an authentic touch to the character, even in this lighthearted adaptation. Tim Russ’s portrayal of Sylens—taking over after Lance Reddick’s passing—is well-executed, maintaining the character’s distinct personality while adapting to the game’s friendlier tone. The sound effects, from the crunch of Lego bricks underfoot to the clicks and clinks of machine interactions, are all carefully crafted to enhance the tactile feel of the Lego world.

The soundtrack, an upbeat reinterpretation of the Horizon series’ signature music, complements the lighter tone of the game. Familiar Horizon themes are reimagined with playful instrumentation, blending orchestral sounds with quirky notes that feel true to the Lego brand. Together with ambient sounds like rustling bricks and chirping wildlife, the soundtrack creates an inviting atmosphere that balances adventure with a sense of whimsy. This combination of high-quality visuals and audio immerses players in a Horizon world that feels entirely new yet comfortingly familiar.

Final Thoughts

Lego Horizon Adventures successfully brings the Horizon universe into the Lego realm with charm and creativity, offering a family-friendly twist on Aloy’s journey. While it doesn’t carry the depth and intensity of the mainline games, its accessible gameplay, cooperative features, and humor make it an enjoyable experience, particularly for younger players and families. The choice to lighten the story’s apocalyptic themes and focus on adventure, exploration, and environmental stewardship allows new players to enter the Horizon world without feeling overwhelmed by its original narrative complexity.

The game shines in its dedication to Lego aesthetics, with every part of the world meticulously constructed from bricks, creating a visual style that feels both playful and richly detailed. The character animations and comedic touches add a layer of fun that enhances the experience, making even familiar encounters feel fresh. Additionally, the customization options for Aloy and the hub world provide plenty of personal touches for players, furthering the sense of ownership over their journey through a Lego-fied wilderness.

However, for longtime Horizon fans, Lego Horizon Adventures may feel like a simplified version of the story and mechanics they love. The combat and exploration are pared down compared to previous games, and while the addition of cooperative play adds value, the game lacks the challenge and strategic depth found in other Horizon titles. The choice to limit camera control with a fixed perspective, though aligned with traditional Lego gameplay, may feel restrictive to those accustomed to Horizon’s immersive, sweeping vistas.

Overall, Lego Horizon Adventures stands as a well-crafted, imaginative side-step for the franchise, breathing new life into Aloy’s world with humor, heart, and accessibility. It’s not the next epic installment fans might expect, but it offers a delightful reimagining that introduces Horizon’s themes and characters to a broader audience. With its combination of nostalgia, innovation, and Lego-style fun, Lego Horizon Adventures is a charming addition to the Horizon series and a refreshing entry in the Lego game lineup.

We prepared this review with a digital copy of Lego Horizon Adventures for the PlayStation 5 version provided by Sony Interactive Entertainment.