Review: LEGO Horizon Adventures on PS5

No one would have anticipated LEGO Horizon Adventures, a whimsical, brick-built reimagining of one of PlayStation’s top franchises. Aloy’s mainline games, steeped in heavy sci-fi lore and intricate themes, seemed like a challenging fit for an all-ages spin-off. Nonetheless, here we are with a game that brings unexpected joys, even if it leaves us a bit puzzled at times.

This action platformer condenses the events of Horizon Zero Dawn into a streamlined, straight-path experience catered to families. LEGO, with its unmistakable visual identity and potential for humor, is the ideal medium for such a transformation. Surprisingly, this approach suits Horizon well; much of the dense narrative is cast aside, allowing for a more comedic take on the storyline and its characters. The voice acting crew does a fantastic job, particularly those reprising their roles, as the change in tone seems to be a source of enjoyment for them. For fans of Horizon, it’s a delightful shift to see a lighthearted interpretation of the beloved tale.

The integration of LEGO isn’t just thematic; it’s also literal in every aspect of the game’s design. Studio Gobo and Guerrilla Games have doubled down on this choice, crafting the entire game world from authentic LEGO pieces. Everything visible, from explosive effects to distant structures, is built from these iconic bricks. Their commitment to maintaining this aesthetic is impressive, with realistic textures and a camera effect that keeps the visuals striking. Playing in Performance mode, though, some animations could be a bit smoother, lacking that classic LEGO stop-motion charm—but these hiccups are rare.

Mother’s Heart serves as the vibrant hub of LEGO Horizon Adventures, where you can spend hours admiring the vivid LEGO visuals. After finishing levels, you’ll find yourself returning here to unlock upgrades for Aloy and other playable characters, and to personalize the village with an array of costumes and building options. As you progress, the hub expands, presenting more customization opportunities with LEGO themes from Horizon and beyond. A job board also stands ready with various optional missions, adding an enticing motive to keep pushing forward.

However, the game’s levels reveal some of its shortcomings. Each stage offers a pleasant romp through visually stunning landscapes interrupted by combat sequences and occasional bosses. This might sound appealing on paper, but the levels themselves are rather simplistic. Platforming and exploration are minimal; while you’ll do some jumping and climbing, the short, linear paths offer little diversity. Small side routes lead to treasures or LEGO builds, but their rewards are mostly studs—the game’s main currency—making them somewhat redundant given how generously studs are distributed throughout.

Initially, the straightforward levels are easy to digest as you adjust to the game, but disappointment sets in when they fail to evolve. Although mechanics like shooting fire arrows to clear vines are intriguing, they’re introduced early and barely capitalized on. Even with engaging cutscenes and combat, stages feel empty and lacking in depth.

On a brighter note, the combat shines more positively. Stealth might feel unnecessary, and battling cultists is decent—at least hurling them around brings some fun—but the real stars are the machine fights. Like in the original Horizon, each machine features unique attacks and vulnerabilities. Targeting these weak points can inflict significant damage and sometimes disable certain attacks. The combat might be simplified for easier access, yet it offers room for strategy amid the chaos. Elemental effects and an assortment of special gadgets, like a shield or a hot dog stand with explosive treats, can prove advantageous. Depending on your difficulty setting, these battles can present a real challenge, making combat the standout element in each level.

You have a team of four characters to play as: Aloy, Varl, Teersa, and Erend, each bringing their own weapon to the table. Aloy comes with her iconic bow, while Varl throws spears, Teersa hurls bombs, and Erend swings a hammer. This variety in weaponry and the ability to dress characters in costumes from Horizon and other LEGO themes offers plenty of diversity, even though the count of four characters is modest compared to other LEGO games.

Boss battles bring everything to a head with cool encounters, followed by amusing cutscenes. The downside? You can’t replay stages or select specific levels. Once a level ends with the acquisition of a gold brick, that’s it, unless you start over. Though most levels don’t beg for a replay, it’s disappointing not to revisit epic fights or beloved story beats—a curious decision for a game primarily targeting young players.

Once you complete a chapter, however, Apex Hunts open up, providing tougher combat challenges. Moving on from these unlocks Free Mode, allowing endless exploration of environments to wrap up side objectives and collect more studs. This mode is interesting because each playthrough presents a new level layout, suggesting a modular design and perhaps explaining why the main levels sometimes feel a little lacking.

In conclusion, LEGO Horizon Adventures leaves us somewhat conflicted. On one side, it’s a charming and family-friendly take on a beloved PlayStation series, translating its story, characters, and combat effectively into the LEGO world, all with impressive visual finesse. But, as the novelty fades, the level design grows repetitive and lacks the engaging platforming or puzzles one might hope for. There’s definitely enjoyment to be found, particularly in combat, but certain fundamental design choices fall short.