Review Summary

LEGO Horizon Adventures combines the creative, family-friendly fun of LEGO games with the open-world exploration and action of the Horizon series. Set in a vibrant, blocky world where LEGO aesthetics meet post-apocalyptic landscapes, this crossover title promises something unique for fans of both franchises. We played through LEGO Horizon Adventures to assess whether it truly delivers on its ambitious concept. Here’s what we found.

Design & Visuals

From the moment you start LEGO Horizon Adventures, it’s clear that the game’s design team invested heavily in translating Horizon’s rugged, natural beauty into a LEGO world. The developers have maintained the franchise’s iconic look, lush forests, vast deserts, and imposing mountains, all rendered in classic LEGO blocks with a splash of Horizon’s distinct post-apocalyptic style.

One standout aspect is the seamless blend of mechanical creatures and LEGO craftsmanship. Each creature, from the towering Tallneck to the swift Watcher, is built from LEGO bricks but still feels intimidating. This isn’t a straightforward LEGO re-skin of Horizon's world; instead, it’s an impressive blend that respects both properties’ aesthetics. We found it fascinating to watch these iconic machines operate within a LEGO setting, which, although blocky, retains a surprising level of detail.

The character models are charming, with minifigure versions of Horizon’s characters, including a LEGO-fied Aloy. Her design is thoughtfully crafted, with each detail, from her braided hair to her primitive tech gear, lovingly recreated in LEGO form. These visual details enrich the experience and cater to fans of both franchises who will enjoy spotting familiar elements reinterpreted in LEGO style.

Gameplay & Mechanics

LEGO Horizon Adventures takes a slightly different approach from traditional LEGO games, leaning more into open-world exploration and environmental interaction. The game provides a large, dynamic map filled with secrets to discover, objects to collect, and, naturally, LEGO bricks to gather and build. It takes cues from the Horizon series by incorporating resource collection and crafting, but in a way that’s simplified and approachable for all ages.

Combat feels intuitive, with familiar elements like stealth mechanics, ranged attacks, and close-quarters combat adapted to suit the LEGO world. The creatures in the game respond to your actions with basic AI, similar to classic Horizon games but toned down to make it more accessible for younger players. There’s a good balance between challenge and simplicity. For instance, stealth mechanics allow players to outsmart Watchers, but the action is forgiving enough for kids to experiment without fear of instant failure.

One delightful addition is the building mechanic, where players can collect LEGO bricks to build makeshift weapons, structures, or tools that assist in exploration and combat. During testing, we found this system adds an engaging layer of creativity to the gameplay. It’s satisfying to piece together your custom creations from bricks collected in the wild, and this mechanic gives players a personal sense of agency in the game. Building becomes an integral part of problem-solving, offering players several ways to approach each scenario.

However, one downside is that the building mechanic, while innovative, can feel repetitive over extended sessions. With limited complexity in the design options, advanced players may find it a little too simple, especially if they’re accustomed to the depth of traditional LEGO building games or open-world titles.

Story & Characters

In LEGO Horizon Adventures, players follow a story loosely inspired by the Horizon games but adapted to fit LEGO’s more humorous, family-friendly tone. Aloy, now a pint-sized LEGO hero, embarks on a journey to save her village from an ancient threat that has reawakened in the form of LEGO-constructed machines. The narrative is light-hearted, with witty dialogue and playful cutscenes that add a layer of charm.

Though the storyline doesn’t reach the same emotional depth as the original Horizon games, it’s entertaining and well-suited to the LEGO audience. We appreciated the game’s dedication to delivering positive messages about teamwork, resilience, and creativity, which are particularly valuable for younger players. For parents concerned about mature content, rest assured: LEGO Horizon Adventures keeps the narrative safe and appropriate for all ages.

The supporting characters, including a range of LEGO villagers and some reimagined Horizon figures, bring humor and personality to the adventure. While Aloy remains the main protagonist, the cast of side characters enriches the world, giving players a sense of connection to the environment and the people they’re striving to protect.

Multiplayer & Replayability

One of LEGO Horizon Adventures’ strengths is its local co-op mode. Like most LEGO games, it allows a second player to jump in at any time. In our playthrough, this feature significantly enhanced the experience, especially for younger players who may enjoy the game more when playing with a friend or family member. The co-op system is straightforward, allowing seamless drop-in and drop-out play, which is ideal for family gaming sessions.

Replayability is moderately high, thanks to hidden collectibles and secondary missions scattered throughout the world. For those who enjoy completing games to 100%, there’s a plethora of secrets to uncover. However, unlike some LEGO games that feature multiple unlockable characters and abilities, LEGO Horizon Adventures focuses more on environmental interaction and less on character variety. This approach may limit replayability for players seeking a more expansive roster of playable characters or unique abilities.

Performance & Technical Aspects

LEGO Horizon Adventures performs smoothly on most platforms, maintaining stable frame rates even in more populated areas. On next-gen consoles, we noted crisp visuals and faster loading times, which enhance the overall experience. However, the game does have some occasional texture pop-ins and slight delays when transitioning between areas, which are minor but noticeable.

We encountered a few minor glitches, particularly when interacting with complex terrain or during co-op play. Characters occasionally became stuck or unresponsive, which required restarting from the nearest checkpoint. Although these issues were infrequent, they slightly disrupted immersion during our review.

Overall Score: 3/5

LEGO Horizon Adventures succeeds in blending the iconic elements of the Horizon series with the accessible, playful nature of LEGO games. While the story is light and the mechanics simplified, the game’s charm, visual creativity, and engaging co-op mode make it a compelling choice for families and LEGO fans. It may not satisfy hardcore Horizon fans looking for a challenging open-world experience, but it provides a solid, enjoyable adventure that appeals to a wide audience.