REVIEW: ‘Lego Horizon Adventures’ Is Fun, But Forgettable

LEGO has been taking properties and putting them through the brick presses for years, with Lego Horizon Adventures being the latest entry. It takes the beloved PlayStation IP and brings it not only to new consoles but also reimagines the series in a new light. Lego Horizon Adventures takes the bones of Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered and makes it into something new while still retaining what makes that franchise so special. While some things, like the combat and graphics, are fantastic, mediocre level design and other aspects to let down the overall package.

Narratively, Lego Horizon Adventures takes the basic set up of Horizon Zero Dawn and reimagines it. The core components of Aloy’s story are all present, including her start as an outcast, the mystery behind her birth, and defeating a world-ending evil. Everything else, though, is brand new. Aloy and company are out to collect three flowers to construct a weapon that can save the world.

The trademark LEGO humor and silliness are entirely present. This version of the story and the characters is entirely silly, but it works, given how serious the main series is. While Aloy pines for answers, Erend is on the hunt for a fabled donut hoard hidden away somewhere. The main villain, Helis, is a delight any time he’s on screen. He just simply wants a world with no shade that he can sunbathe in forever, is that so much to ask? The personality that these versions of the characters carry is so much fun to watch, with DJ Silens being a particular highlight.

The supporting cast is largely familiar, with Erend, Varl, and Teersa being the major playable characters alongside Aloy. Each one of them is controllable and has a different weapon kit. Aloy has her trusty bow for her damage output, while Teersa lobs bombs at enemies. Erend wrecks enemies up close with his hammer, while Varl has a spear that can be thrown through multiple foes.

Each character feels distinct and varies in their play style. Every level has unique upgrades for each character. While Aloy might be able to use a shock bow, Erend gets a huge earthquake hammer. The upgrades are one of the best parts of combat and give levels some replayability. Co-op is also available, letting two players journey together.

Alongside these, there are also special items that anyone can use. They range from familiar items like Tripcasters, to some new ones like gravity bombs and fire boots. There is a weird dissonance to the more random ones at first, as seeing Aloy running around a hot dog man tossing bombs feels out of place. It does go away quickly, especially when you add new costumes that the characters can dress up in. Once Aloy looks like a Ninja from Ninjago fighting alongside Teersa dressed in a penguin costume, the sillier items do fit in. It all does fit within the wackier tone that LEGO games can have, even if it takes a second to get used to it.

Overall, the combat is one of the best parts of Lego Horizon Adventures. It takes the DNA of the Horizon series and makes it something new while still feeling familiar. The big robot dinosaurs that players throw down WITH can be a challenge. Aloy and company can use their Focus to spot the weakpoints on them, dealing more damage and breaking parts when hit.

The magic of these encounters is entirely present. Even on normal difficulty, some of these fights can be overwhelming as you go up against a smorgasbord of foes. The human enemies are weaker cannon fodder, and picking them up and throwing them either at each other or off cliffs never gets old. The Apex fights that unlock after completing an area are particularly challenging, pushing the player to use every piece of equipment to full effect.

Graphically, the game is stunning to look at. Levels are entirely made up of LEGO pieces, down to the water parting with small pieces folding in on each other. The visual density the Horizon series is known for is entirely on display. Each level is packed full of geometry, with each biome bringing something new. The first area is packed full of lush greenery that’s overtaken broken-down buildings, while the snowy peaks of the mountains offer a much more chilling zone to journey through.

Level design in Lego Horizon Adventures is one of the weaker parts of the package. The levels aren’t particularly long, but they’re also not that exciting to move around in. Almost every level is running around, with simple platforming, ziplining to an encounter full of enemies, rinse and repeat. The LEGO games are never that complicated, but the level design here just feels boring.

The similar design of each level makes them all blend together, not making many of the levels very memorable. There are moments where it shines, with the Tallneck segments being a lot of fun as they play with the formula. Players feel like they’re catching up to a grazing Tallneck, recreating some of the most fun climbing segments from the base series.

Similarly, Mother’s Heart is just fine. It acts as a hub that players can decorate to limited effect. There are lamp posts to customize, buildings to construct and personalize, and dance parties to shake your block to. They unlock over time as players make progress, along with using gold blocks to purchase. You can get gold blocks by completing levels, but also by completing specific challenges at the challenge board.

They range from doing specific actions in Mother’s Heart, like building a dining table and eating at it, to killing enemies in specific ways at different levels. It feels more like a diorama that you swap parts in and out of rather than a customizable space that feels your own, especially with the customization aspects feeling so basic. It also gets annoying repeatedly running through the entire thing to get to a level, with the game making the player do so after every level.

Overall, LEGO Horizon Adventures is a fun, albeit short, experience. The main story only takes about 6 hours to play through, with finishing Mother’s Heart, replaying levels to find limited secrets, and the Apex fights being the main post-game content. The combat is fun, the characters feel different to use, and graphically, it’s really pretty to look at.

For younger players, LEGO fans, or those playing on Switch, it’s an enjoyable introduction. It won’t do much for anyone who doesn’t like the LEGO formula, while also being let down by bland level design and an average hub world, but it’s still worth an adventure through.

Lego Horizon Adventures is out on November 14, 2024, on PS5, Nintendo Switch, and PC.