In the last five years, a surge of Lego video games has put a new spin on popular trilogies like Harry Potter and Pirates of the Caribbean. And I for one couldn’t be happier. Let’s face it – who hasn’t played Lego and felt the thrill of imaginative invention? Yet the appeal and popularity of these games stretches far beyond a simple reminiscence of childhood toys.
This trend had its genesis with Star Wars being realized in blocky brilliance back in 2005. Oh, many a sweet hour of nostalgia did I pour into that game, playing and replaying level after shiny level, unlocking characters and outfits, and immersing myself in my favourite trilogy. Soon, another favourite will be rendered in plastic goodness.
Later this year, J.R.R. Tolkien’s timeless tale, The Lord of the Rings, will leap from literature lore into Lego lore. It will be based on the exquisitely crafted and beautifully realized Peter Jackson films. Gamers young and old will feel the thrill of exploring The Shire, battling orcs in the mines of Moria, eradicating the Uruk-hai at Helms Deep, and living the plight of Frodo and Sam in Mordor.
This new addition to the Lego family begs the question of why gamers young and old love to see beloved fantasy films plasticized into camp, colourful blocks of adorableness. Why is it that, in general, Lego video games do better in ratings and sales than any of the other movie tie-in games?
First, they're fun and engaging on a number of levels: seeing your favourite characters brought to life; playing through and controlling your favourite moments; building and collecting Lego elements like you did when you were a kid; all ensconced in a quirky and unassuming, though still relatively impressive, visual style.
When it comes to the Lego movie games, everything about the game is so wonderfully disarming. You already know the storyline, you know the characters, and combined with the kitchy visuals and lack of dialogue, you’re not looking for intense action nor for a true-to-film tie-in. Combined with the seemingly simplistic visuals, it isn't taken quite as seriously by gamers, allowing an accessibility beyond anything on the market. Everyone – from the uber-newbie to the ultimate hardcore gamer – can simply sit back and enjoy the fun as the silly antics unfold.
The simplicity in design also allows for the games to be released across multiple platforms. So while the last Lord of the Rings game (War in the North) could only be released across three platforms, the Lego version will be released across seven. And yet the breadth of its distribution does not lead to a limitation in game play. On the contrary, the diversity of unlockable characters, layers to the game play, and collectibles to be uncovered, combined with the fact that you get to play through an entire trilogy, means there’s no shortage of game time or replay value. Cooperative modes further enrich the game play, for as fabulous as Lego is, it's more fun with two (fingers crossed that Lego Lord of the Rings will bring online co-op to the franchise).
The true appeal to these games, at least for me, is the level of wit they bring to the films. The developer, Traveller’s Tales, isn’t afraid to make the odd humorous quip about the original movie or the game play itself. It’s this extra layer, added for those who love farcical subtleties, that will keep me coming back to this series again and again. While games have come and gone, adventurous additions like Lego Star Wars and Lord of the Rings will forever have a hallowed home on my shelf.
When he’s not teaching junior high school, St. Albert Catholic High School alumnus Derek Mitchell can be found attached to a video game console.
