Get ready to follow the colorful Lego pathways in this exciting adventure.

Lego Horizon Adventures is now out for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC, reimagining the serious 2017 game Horizon Zero Dawn in a fun Lego world. It takes the serious themes of the original and turns them into a more playful and family-friendly experience. This title is the first joint effort between Lego and PlayStation Studios and is developed by Guerrilla Games and Studio Gobo, published by Sony Interactive.

In this post-apocalyptic adventure, players control Aloy, a young hunter armed with a bow, who leaves her adoptive father’s home in search of her history and to protect her tribe from dangerous machines.

“When developing the game, we wanted to see how we could portray the rich story of the Horizon universe through a Lego lens that would appeal to a wide audience,” said Kate Bryant, product leader for Lego branded games at YSL News.

From serious to silly

The character Aloy in Lego Horizon Adventures has a new twist; even though she is still voiced by Ashly Burch, who portrayed her in the original game, this version is full of energy and humor.

While retaining the bravery and strength of her original character, this Aloy is much more upbeat, throwing in light-hearted jokes and puns at almost every turn. Lego Horizon Adventures combines humor with action to create an enjoyable platforming experience.

Developers aimed to inject playful elements into the game.

“We were really excited to make a Lego game because of its playful nature. It’s an ideal choice for a younger audience,” said Roy Postma, art director at Guerrilla Games.

The team focused on keeping the spirit of the original while making it accessible and enjoyable for younger gamers.

“Creating a game that parents can play with their kids is a big win for us,” added Bryant. “It’s something special we can offer with Lego Horizon.”

The game features five levels of difficulty: story mode, scout mode (which is mildly challenging), adventurer mode (which balances story and challenge), machine hunter, and hero mode.

The tutorial introduces the game play in a way that’s seamless, according to Kat Woolley, senior games producer at Studio Gobo. “Characters provide gentle hints and tips as players begin, so it feels natural. Once you dive into the real gameplay, it’s almost like you’ve breezed through the tutorial without even realizing it.”

Cooperative gameplay becomes available after completing the introduction, adding to the fun of embarking on the adventure together, allowing players to choose outfits and customize characters, which is something Woolley, who has an 8-year-old son, found delightful during testing. “It’s such a heartwarming experience.”

Customization isn’t limited to characters alone; Woolley explained that even environments like houses and statues can be personalized, allowing players to truly make it their own.

Constructing the experience

Lego Horizon Adventures dazzles visually, designed meticulously piece by piece.

“From the outset, we were committed to creating everything out of Lego bricks,” Postma shared. “We aimed for a look that rivals that of the Lego movies.”

The creative team had to be innovative given the limited variety of Lego pieces available for use. “To maintain a sleek and impressive design, we had to watch our file sizes carefully,” Woolley said.

Moreover, the development team only used bricks that one could physically find in stores. “If players want to recreate their favorite in-game scenes, they can do so using real Lego bricks,” stated Postma.

Initially, while designing the machines, the number of pieces used was high, resulting in a look that didn’t quite convey the Lego aesthetic, according to Bryant. It was as if the blocks were transforming into pixels rather than remaining true to their brick form.

Bryant expressed that embracing limitations enhances the feeling of playing a Lego game. “With a smaller set of options, you have to creatively maximize what you can do,” he said. “The pieces you have really reflect what you could construct in real life.”

Despite these limitations, Woolley remarked that the game’s various environments are “breathtaking.”

“At times, as you sprint through, you might be so intent on reaching your objectives within the level. But if you pause and take in your surroundings, you’ll notice the amazing detail that’s been put into the scenery,” she explained. “This really mirrors the essence of the original game with its stunning landscapes and vistas.”

The game includes playful references in its details, such as swapping out traditional bricks for quirky items like a croissant perched on a roof edge.

“The piece separator even makes an appearance in the game,” Bryant noted. “For avid fans of Horizon, this level of detail won’t go unnoticed.”