Review of LEGO Horizon Adventures for PS5

Nobody could have predicted LEGO Horizon Adventures—a playful, plastic twist on PlayStation’s beloved franchise. The original games starring Aloy are packed with intricate sci-fi lore, weighty themes, and complex mechanics, so transforming all of that into a family-friendly spin-off seemed like a daunting task. As it turns out, the game is a mix of delightful surprises and a few head-scratchers.

This latest title takes the core of Horizon Zero Dawn and distills it into a bite-sized, linear experience perfect for families. The choice of LEGO as a medium is spot-on, offering instant recognizability and allowing for a more whimsical approach. It fits surprisingly well; many of the story’s complexities are stripped away, and the game isn’t afraid to poke fun at itself and its characters. The voice acting adds a lot of charm, with several original cast members clearly reveling in this lighter tone. Fans of the Horizon series will enjoy this humorous, pared-down version of their beloved tale.

LEGO doesn’t just provide a thematic anchor; it also serves as a literal one. The developers at Studio Gobo and Guerrilla Games have fully embraced the LEGO aesthetic, crafting the entire game environment with authentic LEGO pieces. From explosive effects to distant buildings, everything is built from these iconic bricks. The dedication to this concept is impressive, with realistic textures and cleverly used camera effects enhancing the game’s overall look. While playing in Performance mode, there were some instances of jerky animations, though they’re few and far between.

You can take your time soaking in the vibrant LEGO visuals from Mother’s Heart, the central hub in LEGO Horizon Adventures. This is where you regroup after each level, and it’s bustling with avenues for progression. Upgrades for Aloy and other characters, an array of costumes, and customization options for village-building await your discovery. The hub grows as you play, offering new areas to personalize with LEGO trinkets from across various franchises. Additionally, a job board presents a slew of optional tasks, adding to the sense of ongoing advancement.

Regrettably, it’s within the game’s levels that things start to unravel. Each stage presents a gentle trek through scenic locales, interspersed with combat zones and the occasional boss fight. It sounds good in theory, but the levels are overly simplistic. They offer little in the way of meaningful platforming or exploration. While you do a fair bit of jumping and climbing, these short, linear stages lack real diversity. Small side paths occasionally lead to treasure chests or minor LEGO builds, but these are usually too easy to find. The reward of studs—the game’s currency—feels underwhelming because you already collect plenty of them.

The straightforward level design makes sense initially, easing you into the game, but it never really evolves from there. Even fun mechanics, like firing arrows through flames to burn away vines, are introduced early and used sparingly. Despite entertaining cutscenes and bursts of combat, the levels feel flat and inconsequential.

Thankfully, the combat is a highlight. Stealth elements seem pointless, and battling cultists is just okay—though tossing them around is amusing—but fighting against machines steals the show. Much like in the main Horizon games, they come with unique attacks and weak spots, allowing for strategic dismantling. While simpler here, there’s still strategy to enjoy amidst the chaos. Elemental effects and a plethora of specialized weapons and gadgets, ranging from a projectile-deflecting shield to an exploding hot dog cart, add layers to the combat. Depending on the difficulty setting, fights can be quite challenging, making combat the best part of the stages.

Players can step into the shoes of four characters: Aloy, Varl, Teersa, and Erend, each armed with their own weapon. Aloy uses her trusty bow and arrows, Varl throws spears, Teersa lobs bombs, and Erend swings his hammer. Despite having only four characters, their distinct weapons and the ability to dress them in various outfits from Horizon, Ninjago, and more provide a decent level of variety.

The engaging combat culminates in a few memorable boss fights and is often punctuated by amusing cutscenes. However, a curious design decision is that stages cannot be replayed, and there’s no level selection option. Once you complete a level and grab the gold brick, that’s it unless you start a new save. While most levels aren’t compelling enough for multiple playthroughs, it’s disappointing you can’t revisit standout fights or treasured story beats, which seems like a missed opportunity for a game aimed at younger players.

After clearing a chapter’s stages, you unlock Apex Hunts, offering tougher combat challenges. Completing these opens up Free Mode, letting you explore environments as much as you like, finishing optional objectives and collecting more studs. Interestingly, the level layout is randomized each time you play, suggesting a modular structure that might explain the sparse design of the main stages.

In conclusion, LEGO Horizon Adventures leaves us with mixed feelings. On one side, it’s a charming, family-friendly rendition of a popular series, neatly translating its story, characters, and combat into the LEGO universe with impressive visual flair. On the downside, once the initial novelty fades, the level design feels barren and repetitive, offering little of the platforming or puzzle-solving fun you might anticipate. There’s definitely enjoyment to be found, especially in the combat, but certain core design choices hold it back from reaching its full potential.