TL;DR
The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame falls short of expectations with its surprisingly simplistic graphics, even on powerful consoles, resembling older mobile games rather than modern AAA titles. While it introduces a welcome crafting mechanic inspired by the movie's themes, the overall experience is marred by a rushed feel, minor bugs, and a lack of polish, including absent sound effects and voice actors. Despite some redeeming gameplay elements, the visual disappointment and technical shortcomings make it a difficult recommendation for anyone but the most dedicated LEGO fans. Discover if the crafting can save this brick-built adventure by reading the full review!
As a self-proclaimed LEGO enthusiast on the Senses editorial team, having reviewed a significant portion of recent LEGO-related titles, it was almost inevitable that I would review The LEGO Movie 2 videogame upon its release, coinciding with the film’s premiere. The game’s narrative largely mirrors the film’s plot; therefore, to avoid spoilers, it is advisable to watch the film prior to playing the game.
LEGO games typically feature a well-crafted introductory sequence showcasing the game, developers, and distributors’ logos. The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame adheres to this convention. However, while the animation was adequate, the graphics appeared simplistic and lacked depth. The absence of detailed textures was immediately noticeable, leading to an initial hope for improvement that, unfortunately, was not realized.
The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame exhibits a visual presentation that is surprisingly basic for a modern AAA title. A colleague remarked that it resembled a mobile game from several years ago, a sentiment with which I concur. The graphical quality is underwhelming. Initially tested on the Nintendo Switch, I considered the possibility of graphical downgrading to accommodate the console’s capabilities. However, testing on the Xbox One X revealed that the game’s visuals remained disappointingly simple, even on more powerful hardware. Considering the stylish and engaging aesthetic prevalent in recent LEGO games, this flat and lifeless presentation is a significant letdown.
A distinguishing characteristic of The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame compared to other LEGO titles is its exclusive reliance on LEGO bricks for all environmental elements. Unlike games such as DC LEGO Super Villains or LEGO Ninjago Movie Videogame, which incorporate more varied surfaces, this game is entirely constructed from LEGOs. However, this design choice does not excuse the lack of dynamic and engaging lighting. Furthermore, the environments often appear sparse and devoid of detail. The image below illustrates how fog is used to conceal the lack of environmental information.
The graphical simplicity evokes techniques employed in 1990s games, where limited console and computer performance necessitated reduced visual complexity. Given the capabilities of contemporary hardware, this approach is no longer necessary. The comparison between the first and second games below, separated by five years, highlights the issue. Arguably, the original game exhibits superior visual quality.
Beyond the initial disappointment with the presentation, the gameplay offers some redeeming qualities. The decision to create original cutscenes instead of using film clips from LEGO-filmen 2 is initially commendable. However, the sequence depicting the kidnapping of Batman and the gang reveals a limitation. Unlike the film, Wildstyle is not kidnapped in the game, likely due to the game mechanic requiring two playable characters at all times. This suggests that the original cutscenes were created out of necessity, as the film’s scenes could not be adapted to accommodate Wildstyle’s constant presence alongside Emmet.
Despite the initially negative impression, the game does offer some positive aspects. Drawing inspiration from the theme of creation in the LEGO-filmerna (the LEGO movies), The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame introduces a crafting mechanic. Instead of simply destroying objects to progress, players can now learn to build various items by finding blueprints or scanning objects. This adds a layer of strategic thinking and enhances the overall enjoyment of solving challenges, providing a welcome departure from the typical smash-and-build gameplay.
In conclusion, The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame unfortunately feels like a rushed product. Both the Nintendo Switch and Xbox One versions exhibited minor bugs, such as disappearing objects. Furthermore, the absence of certain sound effects and the apparent lack of original voice actors from LEGO filmen 2 (LEGO Movie 2) detract from the overall experience, making the game feel somewhat cheaply produced compared to previous, more polished installments.
Overall, The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame is a disappointment. While it provides some entertainment, it falls short of the higher standards set by previous LEGO games. It does not reach the level of polish found in titles like DC LEGO Super Villians. Therefore, a purchase is recommended only for dedicated fans of the franchise.
Review Highlights: Q&A
Does the game follow the plot of the film?
The Lego Movie 2 Videogame largely mirrors the narrative of the film. To avoid spoilers, it is advisable to watch the movie before playing the game.
How are the graphics and visual presentation?
The visuals are simplistic and flat, lacking detailed textures and dynamic lighting even on the Xbox One X. The all-brick environments often feel sparse and rely on fog to mask missing details.
What new gameplay features are introduced?
A crafting mechanic allows players to scan objects and collect blueprints to construct specific items, adding strategic thinking to challenges instead of relying only on standard smash-and-build mechanics.
Are the original film voice actors in the game?
The game apparently lacks the original voice actors from the film, and it suffers from missing sound effects and minor bugs like disappearing objects across platforms.
Who is this game recommended for?
Because it feels rushed and falls short of the polish seen in previous installments, a purchase is recommended only for dedicated fans of the franchise.
