Some story missions follow banal tasks as there's not enough action in the films to cover its 7-10 hour campaign, and there are utterly baffling moments where game-like scenes of the films are less interesting in the actual game. It's evident, frequently, that this was a project driven by a desire to cash-in at all costs, as the source material and core design often fall short of what the LEGO franchise is supposed to deliver. Yet the sweeping world and occasionally impressive visuals are a thin disguise for a host of problems underneath the surface. Occasionally the environments are a successful blend of film recreation and clever design, and when the title comes together in this way it truly belongs with its LEGO contemporaries, sparkling for those moments. There are a handful of levels that succeed in impressing in a visual sense, too, notably those featuring the deadly dragon Smaug and some high-action on-rails sequences. Some areas look gorgeous, and it can certainly feel like a large world that's being traversed fans of the movies will likely get a kick out of how faithfully Middle Earth is recreated. There are large, sweeping areas and a somewhat open world, or at least a collection of diverse staging areas, and they recreate the world of the film adaptations particularly well. LEGO The Hobbit absolutely nails the spectacle aspect. On top of that, they're an entertaining spectacle. Sure, the LEGO games aren't that simple in construction, but they can feel that way to play, incorporating modern ideas such as an inability to fully perish and seemingly infinite collectibles to keep players coming back time and again. In some ways it's a series that - despite regular flaws of fiddly controls or design - manages to bring back the simple fun most familiar in the retro era of gaming, when controllers only had a couple of buttons and a D-Pad. The basic move-set of running jumping, smashing everything in sight and looking for bouncing LEGO pieces to build into a useful item is as familiar as it is accomplished. When executed well it can be a treat, as it serves to be accessible and fun for gamers of various levels. ![]() The LEGO formula is well known, and that's no bad thing. ![]() OK, so that line is actually from The Lord of the Rings, but it applies perfectly to LEGO The Hobbit on Wii U. That's to the credit of TT Games and Warner Bros., but it's always a franchise at risk of spreading itself too thinly - as Bilbo Baggins would say, "like butter scraped over too much bread". The LEGO series of games is a sales phenomenon, now established to a degree that it seems no matter how many releases are churned out on a yearly basis the sales flow, and steady praise flows its way.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |