Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is another entry in the family-friendly Lego game franchise, based on the blockbuster film, Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens. While the game mainly follows the plot of the film, it provides extravagant and imaginative scenarios in signature Lego fashion.

Playable either solo or with a friend, this star-studded adventure through the stars is excellent for any fan of the Star Wars films. With a huge roster of unlockable characters, open-ended hub worlds to explore, and plenty of collectibles to find, Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens offers a surprising amount of content. Through fun use of the Star Wars brand and consistently engaging game design, this is one of the best Lego games out there.

Main Game Features:

• Solo and co-op action/adventure gameplay
• Over 200 playable characters
• Linear and open-world gameplay

Story

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens follows the same plot as the movie it's based on, featuring all the fan-favorite characters and moments from the film. Much like in other Lego games, the story is presented in a humorous, slap-stick manner, highlighting comedic moments over everything else. Like in the film, the game expands the Star Wars universe as it tracks a diverse cast of new characters, including the scavenger Rey, ex-Stormtrooper Finn, and some iconic droids.

Spread out over ten unique story chapters (plus a prologue and an epilogue), the game recounts the epic battle between a group of resistance fighters and an evil empire known as the First Order. You'll run through the sand-filled deserts of Jakku, sabotage the Starkiller base, and even take a trip to the mystical Jedi Island. In addition to these notable moments from the movie, the game also includes silly side-plots and random events, further fleshing out the creative sci-fi universe.

Gameplay

Just like in other Lego games, Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens offers solo and two-player cooperative action across a mix of simple but inventive stages. On your first playthrough of the main story, you'll progress through linear levels, defeating enemies and solving a few puzzles. You'll play as a variety of different characters, with each character possessing a special skill. For example, Jedi characters can wield lightsabers, droids can interact with various electronics, and members of the First Order can use Force powers from the dark side. Once you've completed a stage, you can revisit it in free-play mode, using any unlocked characters to discover hidden collectibles.

Although Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens plays similarly to past Lego Star Wars games, there are plenty of new mechanics to mention. Firstly, there are four main hub worlds to explore, each with a set of challenges, mini-missions, and collectibles to find. Players can explore these small but open-ended stages at their own pace, finding new content as they unlock characters. There is a larger emphasis on blaster battles as well, with cover-based shooting segments scattered throughout the levels. You can also control several iconic Star Wars vehicles, offering a bit of vehicle-based gameplay.

Conclusion

If you've played and enjoyed previous Lego Star Wars games, you'll have a great time with Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The main story missions are tons of fun, whether you're playing solo or with a friend, and are packed with a satisfying variety of puzzles and action. An impressive roster of over 200 playable characters always gives you something to work towards, with numerous other secrets waiting to be discovered.

Pros:

• Loads of unlockables and collectibles
• Fun side-missions and bonus levels
• Straightforward and funny storytelling

Cons:

• Some hub-world missions feel repetitive
• Lacks the intensity of the film
• Might be too challenging for younger players