By Khloe Wilkerson

Lego Horizon Adventures brings together the iconic world of bricks with the sci-fi thrills of Aloy the warrior, creating a gaming experience that’s both creative and thrilling. Developed by The Lego Group in collaboration with Guerrilla Games, this title is available on PlayStation 5, and Microsoft Windows, and notably, on the Switch, a first for a PlayStation series. Set in a vibrant, expansive world, players can explore breathtaking landscapes, battle fierce machines, and build their own journey, all while embracing the playful charm of Lego’s timeless design.

The story follows Aloy, a determined young warrior on a quest to uncover the truth about her origins and save her village from the rising threat of rogue machines destabilizing the planet. A primary antagonist, Helis, is a villain obsessed with the sun, who corrupts machines to wreak havoc on humanity. One of the major battles you’ll face involves a massive red circular creature, Helis’s devilish boss, threatening the world’s survival. Along the way, Aloy is joined by key allies, including Rost, her mentor; Varl, a young hunter eager to prove himself; Teersa, the sharp-witted village elder; Aaron, a lovable brute with a big hammer; and Sylens, a mysterious figure who assists Aloy from afar and has an unexpected love for DJing.

The game’s visuals truly stand out, blending Lego’s blocky design with Horizon’s lurid, inventive landscapes. From dense forests to towering cliffs, every environment is meticulously crafted, with vibrant colors and unique details. Whether exploring lush valleys, climbing Lego-built mountains, or delving into ancient ruins, the attention to detail is impressive. The world feels unknowably vast yet full of personality, thanks to the clever fusion of realism and Lego charm.

The machines are a visual highlight. Creatures like the Thunderjaw are faithfully reimagined in Lego form, with every intricate part constructed from thousands of bricks. Despite their sometimes-blocky appearance, these machines remain intimidating, with fluid animations that keep them dynamic and engaging. During combat, Lego bricks fly off with satisfying precision, adding an extra layer of excitement.

The controls make it easy for players of all levels to dive into the action. Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or new to the series, Aloy’s smooth movements and basic button inputs make exploration and combat feel natural. You can also switch between characters like Aloy, Varl, and Sylens, each with their own abilities, but only at the beginning of a level. Aloy uses her bow and arrow for ranged and melee combat, Varl relies on his shield for protection and spear for close-range attacks, and Erend wields his war hammer for heavy strikes. Aloy’s focus helps her track machine movements, detect important objects, and analyze threats. While there isn’t a great variety of playable characters, the four keep the gameplay fresh, especially as new chapters introduce different challenges and areas to explore.

The game’s structure revolves around chapters, each with new objectives and areas to unlock. The levels mostly involve exploration, finding chest boxes with weapons, arenas for fighting machines and cultists, and platforming sections with simple jumps and climbing paths. In addition to the main story, the game offers a wealth of content, with NPCs providing quests ranging from fetch missions to more intricate tasks like repairing structures or hunting specific machines. Completing side quests rewards players with new materials, character outfits, and pieces of the larger story. As you progress, battles become more difficult, requiring strategy, stealth, and clever use of gadgets. One of my favorite abilities is the “Rush Boots,” which lets you zip around the area in short bursts.

The game also includes electrical cave systems where you must toss electrified cans to restore power and open doors, as well as puzzles that require jumping over gaps on conveyor belts and climbing walls. These puzzles, combined with combat and exploration, keep the experience engaging.

There are many different gold and rare red bricks to collect, unlocking items like outfits and town modifications. The community board allows you to change your clothing regularly, add flavor to your village with signs or trees, or create objects that let you play fetch with a dog. You can also alter the appearance of Mother’s Heart, placing dragons on rooftops or dressing townspeople as ice cream cones.

The dialogue is humorous and clear, with each character’s personality coming through, and it’s not only Aloy. Rost makes his pickle sandwiches for Aloy and Erend always mentions his love for doughnuts. The voice acting is strong, and the animations, with detailed facial expressions and smooth movements, help bring the characters to life. The chemistry between characters adds emotional weight, making the stakes feel real.

Sound design and music also stand out. The sound effects, from weapon clashes to robotic roars, feel satisfying, adding to the immersion. The music features orchestral themes during exploration and intense compositions during battles, matching the game’s emotional highs and lows. One of the standout features was the bass-bouncing, earworm post-apocalyptic dance party, where characters celebrate their victory, further reinforcing the sense of community in Lego Horizon Adventures.

While the core mechanics are enjoyable, some aspects feel predictable. The combat can start to feel repetitive, and some of the side quests —like fetching missions or repairing tasks—lack variety. The game could benefit from more inventive mechanics to add depth.

Lego Horizon Adventures delivers a stable and enjoyable experience. The game runs smoothly with no major frame rate drops or screen tearing. The visuals remain sharp, and load times are quick, ensuring a seamless experience. Lego Horizon Adventures is a generally delightful blend of Lego’s world-building mechanics and exploration. The visuals are stunning in their simplicity, the gameplay is accessible yet rewarding, and the stripped-down story, while not groundbreaking, is fun and engaging. While the game is geared toward a younger audience, there’s plenty for adults to enjoy as well, particularly those nostalgic for Lego’s creative possibilities. Despite some repetition, whether you’re solving puzzles or exploring new regions, this is an adventure you won’t want to miss.

Bronx native Khloe Wilkerson is in her second year of high school. In middle school, she won a college scholarship twice in a row after completing our games journalism and narrative classes. 

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