When it comes to branded titles LEGO in the videogame field, we always think of videogames for children, not suitable for the older age group: after all, how can a videogame with LEGO, a symbol of children's play, be mature enough? You would be amazed to know that instead, starting from the first title released 11 years ago, up to the one based on the last chapter of Star Wars, the brick-built platformers are video games with a certain comic depth and with a really well done puzzle component. Given therefore that each LEGO video game will take you to fight, to play in local multiplayer (those good old games made with a friend) and to solve puzzles by disassembling and assembling LEGO structures, let's go to review Lego dimensions, symbol and herald of the idea and concept of these modular bricks.
During the event we heard from the voice of Mark Warburton, producer of the game at TT Games, what is the basic concept of LEGO Dimensions: when we were children we played carefree with LEGO, we did not have an exclusive Batman bag, one dedicated to the Lord. of the Rings, one from Doctor Who, but a melting pot of bricks that allowed Superman to fly alongside Gollum on an X-Wing. This title is inspired by this concept that, after 11 years, thanks to advanced technologies and in-depth studies, has embodied the soul of LEGO: Batman (and mind you, not that of LEGO Movie, but the original DC), Wyldstyle and Gandalf, due to an evil plan of the super villain on duty, find themselves together having to travel in various dimensions (thanks to a portal) to foil the evil plan and save their friends.
So far, nothing strange: but imagine these three characters having to face the Witch of the West, meet the Doctor on a journey or land in the LEGO Ninjago universe, all enriched with well-studied comic jokes and teasing about being made up of bricks. Without spoiling anything, how do you think Batman will react when he meets the scarecrow from The Wizard of Oz? These paradoxical situations, already experienced in the LEGO Movie film, are exponentially amplified thanks to the countless brands and franchises that have chosen to get on the ship (strictly modular) of the LEGO Dimensions project.
So if the scaffolding is created from the classic LEGO videogame scheme, new mechanics are inserted instead, some original, others inspired by similar titles. In fact, in this title, for the first time in the brand, we will play with the characters we physically own: in the Starter Kit we find Batman, Wyldstyle, Gandalf and the Batmobile, and we will be able to expand the gaming experience with:
- Level Pack: contains a character, an object and a vehicle, expands the game with a level dedicated to its world (but separate from the main story)
- Team Pack: Contains two characters and two vehicles
- Fun Pack: Contains a character and a vehicle
Furthermore, once purchased, the characters will unlock access to their world (for example, Homer will allow you to enter the Simpsons world), where without a plot and a linear path, you can explore the various areas and complete quests: this feature, inspired by LEGO Undercover, it is particularly fun for fans of a respective franchise, as all the most famous areas of each brand have been reproduced in great detail (going underwater in the DC world will take you to Atlantis). The vehicles and objects, which can be upgraded, will be assembled when you play that world (and it will be necessary to own it), allowing you to then be able to enhance their various skills, finally being able to change their shape (with a lot of disassembly and reassembly of the vehicle physically ) so as to also change its use.
However, if you think that this toys-to-life component is expensive, it is right to make a clarification: unlike many titles, it is not necessary to buy all the miniatures, as the levels of the story will all be unlocked. Only the level packs will give you access to exclusive levels, but not inherent to the story, and in some sections of the game a certain skill will be required, but never necessary to continue the game. You could easily complete LEGO Dimensions without purchasing a single miniature (but if you've come this far, we know that won't be the case). Another feature that the game adds is having to physically play with your LEGOs: it will not be enough for you to just take the pad in hand and play, but you will have to move your characters on the basis of reading.
As you can see, there are three white areas, two lateral to L and one central. In addition to the fact that the central one will allow you to register the tag related to your vehicle (thus allowing you to save the upgrades and be able to use them by a friend), advancing in the title you will have to move the various miniatures for the most disparate reasons: move Gandalf in a 'other box because blocked by a spell or putting Batman in the center to teleport him to a point on the map are just some of the functions available, made possible by the magical shields you see hanging in the portal (and of course all this will happen in the video game, not in reality) . In technical terms, the game shows some graphical improvements (only on the Next Gen versions), but nothing so distant from the last chapters of the various LEGO games: as regards the sound, the dubbing, composed largely of the original voices of each character, create a dream situation where, in some cases, you will wonder if what you are seeing is really real.
As I said in the beginning, the soul of LEGO video games is to merge a background of a certain franchise with the funny and not at all obvious comedy, made possible by the writers of the dialogues: LEGO Dimensions takes all this and expands it with a myriad of characters, vehicles and items (of which the second series will be released in November), allowing you to travel everywhere with your favorite heroes. We do not understand the lack of Star Wars and other already known brands, but certainly TT Games and Warner Bros will be able to delight us with succulent news (as the producer had already mentioned during our interview).
