I was a big fan of The LEGO Movie, and I was also a big fan of The LEGO Movie Video Game.
It took the same LEGO gameplay all the big franchise LEGO games are known for...and made
just a few subtle changes.
Changes I assumed were just for that specific LEGO game.
And changes that have now shown up...in this...big, franchise LEGO game.
Weird, right?
It's LEGO The Hobbit, for the Xbox 360.
So this is the latest in that long, long line of "LEGO games based on things."
It's based on the first two Hobbit movies...There And Back Again, and The Desolation Of Smaug.
And like most of these games, it retells the events of the films very closely.
You're basically playing through LEGO versions of the movies...spiced up, of course, with
that unique LEGO humor.
It's a familiar formula because there are a lot of these games.
And frankly, this one isn't that much different from any of the other ones.
Now, that said...I did mention a couple changes, carried over from The LEGO Movie Video Game.
Fans of that game should recognize these LEGO builds, which have you reading the instructions
and matching the necessary pieces.
I liked these before, and they work again here...they really add even more of a LEGO
feel to the gameplay.
And secondly, you get a bunch of these minigames...almost rhythm games, actually.
You have to press buttons at just the right moment, once they appear inside a circle.
And the game has a couple different variations on this, actually.
And they also help break things up nicely.
One thing that wasn't carried over from The LEGO Movie Video Game...is the graphics.
Specifically, the emphasis on LEGO.
In that game, everything was made of LEGO, not just certain objects, like in prior LEGO
games.
This one goes back to that style, but on the plus side...it's actually one of the prettiest
LEGO games I've ever played.
The environments are just awesome, in this game.
And some of the lighting, in particular...just looks gorgeous.
Of course, the core gameplay is pretty much what you'd expect.
You control an entire group of characters, each of whom has different items and abilities...and
of course, that comes into play during puzzles...I feel like I say this every time I review a
LEGO game, but the gameplay here doesn't really change much from game to game.
You either still enjoy all this breaking and collecting...or you're tired of it.
And in both cases, I totally see your point.
Fortunately, one thing that does make this LEGO game stand out a bit...is its flair for
the dramatic.
There are some seriously impressive locations, and set pieces...I mean, the films are so
epic, and so ambitious, it's nice to see the game go for the same kind of vibe.
And again, the presentation plays a bit part in that.
The environments are beautiful, and having actual music and voices from the movies?
That's obviously a really nice touch.
The campaign mode has a nice length.
It's about six or seven hours long, and after you've finished it, there's still a ton of
stuff to do.
As you play, you unlock side quests all over Middle Earth, and those really extend the
value here.
There's quite a bit to see and do, even once you've technically beaten the game.
And of course, playing with a friend is always when these games are at their best.
So...even though some of the changes from the The LEGO Movie Video Game and other recent
games seem to be sticking around, it's still...90 percent the same, reliable LEGO.
You know, there's just not a whole lot to say about this game.
It's more of the same LEGO you either love or stop caring about a while ago.
And like I said...either way, I get it.
These things are almost as alike from year to year as the Madden games.
Of course, they're also ridiculously fun.
And actually, this one's kind of beautiful, too.
And there's something about collecting all those shiny LEGO studs that's still addictive.
It's, just...fun, mindless, pick-up-and-play gaming at its best.
And this time, there are LEGO dragons.
So.
I'm sold.
It's LEGO The Hobbit, for the Xbox 360.