Who would’ve guessed that LEGO Horizon Adventures would ever become a reality? This playful spin on one of PlayStation’s blockbuster franchises seemed a bit of a long shot. Aloy’s core titles are known for their dense sci-fi storytelling, serious undertones, and intricate gameplay mechanics. Turning all that into a family-friendly game was never going to be easy. The result? A game that charms in parts yet leaves us scratching our heads in others.
As an action platformer, LEGO Horizon Adventures distills the expansive narrative of Horizon Zero Dawn into a more linear, bite-sized experience fit for families. In this format, LEGO is a fantastic choice. It’s instantly familiar and invites a fresh, lighthearted take. Surprisingly, it fits Horizon’s world perfectly. Gone are many deep narrative details, replaced by playful jabs at the storyline and its characters. The voice cast, some of whom return from the main series, dive wholeheartedly into the comedic atmosphere, adding immensely to the fun. For fans of Horizon, it’s a treat to see this comedic twist on the story we love.
LEGO’s blocky charm isn’t just skin deep—it’s woven throughout the fabric of the game. Studio Gobo and Guerrilla Games have gone all in, crafting the world entirely from LEGO pieces. From explosions to water, every element is made from familiar bricks. Their dedication to this aesthetic is commendable. With highly realistic materials and a clever tilt-shift camera effect, the game is visually stunning. While playing in Performance mode, we did notice occasional choppy animations, although thankfully, these hiccups are rare.
After each level, you’ll find yourself back at Mother’s Heart, LEGO Horizon Adventures’ central hub. Here, you can lose yourself in the vibrant plastic world. It’s a space packed with progression possibilities—you can unlock upgrades for Aloy and other characters, try on new costumes, and customize the village with various LEGO builds. As you progress, the hub expands, offering even more customization spots with LEGO elements from both the Horizon universe and beyond. Plus, a job board provides optional challenges to tackle either in the hub or within levels, pushing you to keep moving forward.
However, the game starts to unravel in its level design. Each level offers a gorgeous, yet overly simplified trek through environments packed with combat zones and occasional bosses. While this might sound fine, levels lack depth in both platforming and exploration. You’ll jump and climb, but these short, straightforward stages offer little to discover. Hidden paths leading to chests or small LEGO builds exist but are barely secretive. They mainly reward you with studs, the in-game currency—useful, but so abundant that seeking out these chests feels a bit pointless.
Initially, the straightforward level design makes sense, serving as an introduction. Unfortunately, it never evolves much. While some engaging mechanics like shooting arrows through fire to burn vines are introduced early, they’re scarcely used again. While the levels are punctuated by amusing cutscenes and combat, they ultimately feel flat.
Combat, on the other hand, stands out more positively. Though stealth mechanics feel redundant, and battling cultists is serviceable, it’s the encounters with machines that shine bright. Echoing the main Horizon games, each machine features unique attacks and vulnerabilities. Exploiting these will deal heavy damage and, often, disable certain moves. It’s a simplified version, but it still requires strategic thinking amid the chaos. Elemental effects and special weapons, from a projectile-deflecting shield to a hot dog vendor launching explosive snacks, add layers to the combat.
The roster includes four characters: Aloy, Varl, Teersa, and Erend. Each wields their distinct weaponry—Aloy’s bow and arrows, Varl’s spears, Teersa’s bombs, and Erend’s hammer. While the character count might seem small compared to other LEGO games, each character’s unique armament and the wealth of costumes from Horizon and other franchises like Ninjago and City keep things interesting.
Boss battles are a delightful crescendo to the combat, usually leading to engaging cutscenes. Oddly, these moments can’t be replayed due to the lack of a stage-select feature. Once you’ve nabbed the gold brick in each level, that’s it—you can’t replay it unless you start anew. While most levels aren’t worth a second playthrough, missing out on re-experiencing cool fights or favorite story beats is a letdown, especially for a game targeting younger demographics.
To make up for this, completing a chapter unlocks Apex Hunts, offering tougher combat challenges. Once these are done, Free Mode opens up, allowing repeated exploration to complete additional objectives and earn more studs. This mode introduces random level layouts, which may hint at why main stages can feel empty.
When all’s said and done, LEGO Horizon Adventures offers a mixed bag. On one hand, it delivers a whimsical, accessible reimagining of Sony’s beloved series, capturing the essence of its story, characters, and combat while boasting impressive visuals. On the flip side, the initial novelty gives way to repetitive, uninspired level design that lacks the engaging platforming and puzzles fans might hope to see. There’s definitely fun to be had, particularly in the combat, but some key design choices hold it back.
