REVIEW: LEGO Horizon Adventures (PS5)

Horizon Zero Dawn and Horizon Forbidden West rank among my favourite PlayStation titles. Guerrilla Games developed fantastically realised open-world adventures with a compelling lead character. Both games have set benchmarks across two console generations, with rumours of the inevitable third instalment already bubbling online.

As we wait for the next chapter, Studio Gobo and Guerrilla Games have collaborated on somewhat of a bridge project: LEGO Horizon Adventures. While this spinoff is crafted with a younger audience in mind, there’s still plenty of entertainment to be found. The return of key voice actors, combined with LEGO’s signature storytelling and humour, adds a refreshing twist to Aloy’s saga.

Though the gameplay leans on repetition, it offers expansive environments to explore, building challenges to tackle, and lots of  fun overall. However, being tailored to kids, it doesn’t quite deliver the depth or complexity fans of Aloy’s original adventures might expect.

Story

Aloy, shunned by her tribe, grows up under the watchful eye of her mentor, Rost, destined to tame a LEGO world of mechanical creatures. Her mission escalates when Helis, a dangerous adversary, unleashes Hades, a rogue AI, wreaking havoc by turning robotic animals hostile. With the help of allies, Aloy must confront these threats and bring peace to her world.

Essentially a retelling of Horizon Zero Dawn, the story isn’t as dark or intricate as the original. Instead, it embraces Aloy’s quirky childhood, her struggles, and familiar faces, all with LEGO’s signature light-heartedness and humour. The narrative strikes a balance between respecting the source material and injecting playful twists. Rost’s narration ties everything together, creating an enjoyable experience for both kids and adults.

The story is the backbone of the game, delivering a charming LEGO rendition of Aloy’s journey. It’s entertaining, upbeat, and sure to satisfy LEGO fans with its clever reinterpretation of a serious tale.

Gameplay

The gameplay in LEGO Horizon Adventures takes a different approach than traditional LEGO games. The sprawling landscapes that define Horizon’s world are present but lack the variety and depth of the originals. Repetitive hills, valleys, and similar cauldron designs make up most levels, though cauldrons do offer engaging climbing puzzles and traversal challenges.

You’ll often find yourself traversing familiar terrains, battling enemies, and collecting items. While older gamers might find the repetition dull, younger players likely won’t mind. That said, the game doesn’t quite meet the standard of expansive worlds seen in Horizon Zero Dawn or even LEGO’s Star Wars: Skywalker Saga.

Collectibles are a highlight. As in most LEGO games, you’ll gather studs and bricks to unlock content and rebuild Mother’s Heart, the Nora tribe’s home base. Studs allow you to construct quirky structures like hot dog stands or Ninjago-themed buildings. Bricks, meanwhile, are used for larger, story-driven builds such as Aloy’s house or Mother’s Heart’s main hall. Customising the village becomes a satisfying incentive to keep exploring.

Combat features a simplified yet enjoyable weapon system. Aloy wields bows with elemental arrows—fire, ice, shock, and multi-arrows—as well as traps and environmental tools. While not as intricate as the original game’s skill tree, the levelling system adds some depth, letting Aloy grow stronger as you progress.

Enemy encounters are a mix of nostalgia and accessibility. Iconic Horizon creatures, like the impressive Thunderjaw, are faithfully recreated in LEGO form. While not particularly challenging, they are visually impressive and fun to take on.

The main story runs about 6-7 hours, culminating in a really sweet ending before opening into free exploration. Post-game, you can tackle missions, gather collectibles, and fully customise Mother’s Heart, extending the experience well beyond the narrative, for those that are into that sort of thing.

Visuals

The visuals in LEGO Horizon Adventures definitely elevate the gameplay. each of the character designs are vibrant and colourful, the ray tracing adds a increased level of realism and it all comes together to bring the detailed LEGO landscapes to life. On top of that, the lighting and shading add even visual flair to the presentation, making the environments feel polished and immersive.

Voice acting also shines, with Ashly Burch reprising her role as Aloy, delivering an upbeat and heartfelt performance. JB Blanc (Rost) and John Hopkins (Erend) return as well. Together, the cast strikes a balance between humour and heart, adapting Horizon’s intensity into a kid-friendly tone.

The combination of visuals and acting effectively captures the essence of the Horizon series in a playful LEGO format, making it a standout aspect of the game.

Conclusion

LEGO Horizon Adventures, from Studio Gobo and Guerrilla, brings a whimsical take on Aloy’s story to the LEGO universe. While its short campaign and repetitive level design cater more to younger players, it remains a classic LEGO adventure at its core. Fans of Horizon and LEGO alike will enjoy this light-hearted retelling, even if it lacks the depth of Aloy’s original journeys.

LEGO Horizon Adventures Pricing & Availability

LEGO Horizon Adventures is available now for PS5, Nintendo Switch and PC for €69.99.