Hands-On With Horizon Lego Adventures: Simple But Fun
Which platforms will Horizon Lego Adventures be available on, and why was the decision made to include the Nintendo Switch?
Horizon Lego Adventures will be available on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The decision to include the Nintendo Switch was made because the game was designed with two-player co-op in mind, and the Switch's Joy-Con controllers make it easy for players to jump into the game together. According to Tim Symons, franchise development lead producer at Guerrilla Games, both versions of the game were made simultaneously, with a dedicated team optimizing the game for the Switch. This allowed the game to be exactly the same across all platforms, making it a perfect fit for the Switch's multiplayer capabilities and portability.
Can you describe the combat and exploration mechanics specific to Horizon Lego Adventures?
In Horizon Lego Adventures, the combat and exploration mechanics are designed to be more approachable and light-hearted, catering to a younger audience and offering a different experience from the original Horizon Zero Dawn3. Players have a single projectile attack, such as a bow and arrow for Aloy or a spear for Varl, with the option to pick up additional limited-use power-up abilities during the course of exploring each level. The machines you encounter still have weak points, but there's no pausing to target specific pieces or using Aloy's abilities to override and control them. Players can still deploy makeshift traps by lighting things on fire, blowing up ice barrels, and taking advantage of other elemental effects.
The exploration aspect of the game is more linear, with players following a predetermined path through the verdant, post-apocalyptic forests, villages, and caves. The traditional build mechanics of a Lego game are not prominently featured, with the focus being more on exploration and combat3. The game also includes a light upgrade skill tree and customization options with light settlement-building mechanics and costumes from other Lego franchises and themed sets that can be unlocked over the course of the game.
How does the game incorporate Lego's traditional building elements into its gameplay?
The game incorporates Lego's traditional building elements into its gameplay by requiring players to use Lego bricks to construct their own vehicles, buildings, and landscapes. Players can also customize their characters and weapons using Lego pieces. The game's mechanics are based on the physical properties of Lego bricks, allowing players to build and experiment with their creations in a virtual world. Additionally, the game includes a co-op mode where players can build and explore together.