LEGO Horizon Adventures: A Failed Adaptation of Sony's Masterpiece ?

Released this Thursday, November 14, the new LEGO Horizon Adventures is already making waves The subject of much criticism, with very varied opinions. This game inspired of the grandiose Horizon New Dawn is it worth buying ?

It's not uncommon for LEGO video games to delve into popular franchises (like Harry Potter, Marvel, Jurassic Park, or Star Wars), but this is the first time the toy company has taken on the universe of another video game. In this case, the latest new product made of bricks and jugs is openly inspired by a masterpiece of the genre: Horizon Zero Dawn. 

Available on Nintendo Switch, PC and PlayStation 5, LEGO Horizon Adventureshas since its announcement aroused a certain enthusiasm among players, impatient to explore the adaptation of a big name in video games. A risky bet for Guerrilla, its developer ? The reviews have appeared and the notes diverge, sources of contradictory opinions sometimes diametrically opposed.

Visuals to die for

The great point of the new toy from Guerrilla Games is its graphic and visual quality. Thanks to the beauty and work put into the settings, the player's immersion and pleasure are more than ever increased. The natural environments in which the player will accomplish his missions are particularly successful, with very convincing lighting effects and a population of very pleasant colors to the eye.

“Graphically very pleasant and enjoying excellent fluidity, the new LEGO game is a real technical gap for the red brick version opus,” according to MGG, enchanted by the beauty of LEGO Horizon Adventures​​​​​. Gamekult even thinks that this one “can certainly claim the title of most beautiful LEGO game to this day".

Very charming post-apocalyptic maps © Guerrila Games

The primitive world of Horizon Zero Dawn is transcribed in a very honourable way, all in 100% LEGO. Unlike the old games where the sets were somewhat realistic and contrasted with the typical brick universe of the Danish manufacturer, the world of LEGO Horizon Adventures is a real assembly of pieces, as meticulous as it is impeccable. 

A welcome but criticized local cooperation

Designed to be a family game, LEGO Horizon Adventures allows its players to play in local co-op, a feature happily highlighted by critics. The possibility of sharing your adventure in Aloy's world with several people is a real asset, especially since the fluidity of the game is not disrupted at all. 

This is a “addition however effective and almost indispensable since it predicts to be the preferred mode to play with (or between) children", according to Jeuxvideo.com.

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A scenario at the antipodes of the basic game ?

As in all other LEGO games, LEGO Horizon Adventures deviates more or less freely from its source in terms of plot. The gap dug with the original game (or film) is a topos specific to LEGO creations, in a desire for simplification, not without adding a certain comical and childish touch.  

Even if LEGO Horizon Adventures seeks to reconnect with Horizon Zero Dawn, by taking its characters and post-apocalyptic settings, notable differences are to be noted between the two games. It goes without saying that the seriousness of the original title has been particularly forgotten, to make way for “permanent humorous traits […] (which) can make young and old smile”, according to Jeuxvideos.com. 

For others, the comical nature of the new Guerrilla is detrimental to the player's enjoyment, with “jokes (which) still often fall flat and even smell like reheated", according to Gameblog. It is certain that adult players will be much less satisfied than their younger counterparts, due to too much emphasis on lightness and the comic.

Very divisive fights

Between platform games, exploration and action scenes, LEGO Horizon Adventures varies its gameplay while respecting the universe of Horizon Zero Dawn. Critics mention the very enjoyable nature of the confrontations against enemies.

Thanks to an arena system, the player will often be confronted with proving himself. The opponents, who appear in waves, can only be defeated thanks to his precision and the strategies he will put in place to lead to victory. With four characters available throughout the adventure (Aloy, Varl, Teersa and Erend), each with their own tactics and weapons, the gameplay possibilities are multiplied.

The fights, the game's great asset © Guerrilla Games

LEGO thus offers through its title a completely different approach to the combat system, enough to satisfy fans of the license. 

Redundancy: THE big flaw of this LEGO adaptation

The scenario of LEGO Horizon Adventures remains without doubt the major black spot of the latest LEGO video game adaptation. Critics point to the repetitive nature of the hours of play, both in terms of decor and gameplay.

Guerrilla Games does not provide enough environments for its latest title, giving the player the impression of going around in circles and constantly repeating the same missions:  "The gameplay loop consists of “to go on big hunts and then on expeditions in order to collect studs,” comments Jeuxvideo.com. “These vary little. […] It's just a matter of doing the same four expeditions in a loop."

The lifespan of LEGO Horizon Adventures, rather short, also leaves a bitter taste in the mouths of the specialized press. Only 6 hours are necessary to complete the plot, and this by taking your time in intermediate difficulty. The speed of its completion is criticized by MGG, who considers that “the title looks more like an essay than a complete game and it is frustrating because we would have liked to play it for a few more hours.”

So, despite a notable and appreciable graphic leap, LEGO Horizon Adventures does not convince the specialized press, which, on the whole, admitted to being rather surprised by the latest LEGO title.