Category: Video Games

“LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” Might Not Have Online Co-Op

Ah, “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga.” The promised ultra-massive multiplatform LEGO videogame from WB Interactive and Traveller’s Tales is one highly anticipated. After repeated delays the title looks pegged for release on April later this year. The wait has been taxing, with antsy fans jumping on random factoids about “Skywalker Saga,” like us. We learned its alleged file size on Xbox Series (over 50GB). We’re aware of its celebrity cast from the films. That includes a reprise from young Boba Fett’s actor voicing the game’s adult version. Now we have another detail about the title according to Brick Fanatics, but one that’s a minus.

It seems WB Interactive-TT Games have yet to confirm if “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” has online co-op. That may as well confirm that players can’t team up online in this game, only local two-player. It’s a shame because one previous LEGO Star Wars videogame did have online co-op. This was “The Complete Saga,” released way back in 2007. Then again, it’s not like online co-op has been a frequent feature in Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO videogames either. Only 2017’s “LEGO Worlds” got that option, aside from “The Complete Saga.”

It might be possible to add online co-op via software update to “The Skywalker Saga” after release. However that’s no guarantee. Still, other LEGO games from different developer/publishers have allowed players to cooperate online. The Apple Arcade exclusive “LEGO Star Wars Castaways” which we covered last year is such an example. The lack of online co-op isn’t a deal-breaker, but it would’ve been a bonus for a major LEGO videogame release. Remember, “The Skywalker Saga” comes out on April 5 for Xbox One/Series, Sony PS4/5, Nintendo Switch and Microsoft Windows.

“LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” Coming April 5

Nowhere has the global pandemic more visibly affected LEGO than perhaps its videogame arm. How else might one describe the plight of “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga”? It was first glimpsed in E3 2019 after all, with a plan to release in August the following year. It never happened for obvious reasons. WB Interactive Entertainment and Traveller’ Tales tried to give a definitive new date. But by April 2021 the effort proved futile. Only in August of last year did the developer/publisher give a new estimate: sometime this early 2022. Now, after a while, we have a specific date.

Brickset has it that WB Interactive and TT have pegged “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” for April 5. This highly-anticipated mega-mix installment of the “LEGO Star Wars” videogames has languished in release limbo for pandemic-related reasons. In celebration of this fact, we even get a new near-7-minute gameplay preview of the game. Warner and Traveller’s Tales aren’t billing this as the biggest LEGO videogame ever for nothing. Being able to choose one’s starting point in the nine movies of three “Star Wars” trilogies is absolutely wonderful. New combat mechanics like counter-moves, pseudo-FPS aiming and terrain cover add more spice to the overall galactic experience.

The epic that is “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” boasts a wide multiplatform release this coming April 5th. Advance online retail listings reveal that a bundle pack for the game also includes more characters from “Star Wars” spinoffs. From films like “Rogue One” and “Solo” to series like “The Mandalorian” and “The Bad Batch,” this title’s packed. Soon, gamers shall have the Galaxy Far, Far Away in their consoles/PCs.

“LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” to Feature Prequel Actor as Boba Fett

It’s now the year 2022, and for LEGO videogame aficionados, that means only one thing right now. Before the midpoint of this year the long-anticipated but repeatedly-delayed “LEGO Stars Wars: The Skywalker Saga” might finally be released. WB Interactive and Traveller’s Tales have promised LEGO videogame adventures through all three “Star Wars” trilogies, on multiple platforms. LEGO gamers might well just riot if it still won’t come out soon. Thankfully, the longtime developers do seem to be making the overall experience as epic as can be. They’re even getting cast members from the film to reprise voices, even if it’s not the ones you expect.

For example, Brick Fanatics tells us that a “Star Wars” prequel actor may have joined the voice cast. It started with a promo clip of “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga” on their official Twitter page. The segment featured iconic galactic bounty hunter Boba Fett. His voice however, despite sounding like current portrayer Temuera Morrison, was pegged by commenters to be somebody else. They guessed that it was actor Daniel Logan. He played young Boba Fett in prequel Episode II “Attack of the Clones.” Morrison at the time was cast as Boba’s father, Jango Fett.

Speculation got to the point that “LSW” fans reached out to Logan on Twitter for confirmation. His one-word positive reply seemingly confirms that Daniel Logan will voice Fett in “The Skywalker Saga.” It’s a good choice, given that Logan carried on voicing young Boba even in the “Clone Wars” animated series. Archival footage also made it to Disney+’ “The Book of Boba Fett” via flashback. One wonders if other “Star Wars” alumni have joined in the voice cast. Hopefully we won’t have longer to wait for “LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga,” coming this 2022.

“Brickcraft”: Cool Resource Pack Gives “Minecraft” Blocks a LEGO-Brick Makeover

Back in 2012, LEGO Ideas (Cuusoo back then) released their third set, based on surprise videogame hit “Minecraft.” This would lead to a full-on LEGO licensed-IP theme line that still gets new sets to this year. That much was expected considering the source franchise. Since its official release in 2011 (classic version 2009), “Minecraft” has built a solid player base. The fact that it went multiple platforms helped a lot too. And the simple yet robust construction mechanics made it a perfect fit with the LEGO system when translated to sets. But what do you think of the LEGO aesthetics getting translated into the games?

Brickcraft | Turn your world into Bricks in Minecraft! from lego

Now this is an unofficial thing, being a game mod and all. But as Game Rant tells it, a “Minecraft” player is working on a resource pack called “Brickcraft.” This mod transforms the blocks that all materials in the “Minecraft” world look like, into 4×4 LEGO bricks. For all intents and purposes, it makes the game world akin to a brick-built environment. The user AlexTestria has been working on this mod for five months already. He uploaded a sample video of the newest revisions in action on TikTok then shared the preview on LEGO subreddit.

From what we can see in the sample footage, “Brickcraft” appears like Mojang and WB-Interactive’s TT Games have teamed up. Seeing the “Minecraft” blocks as LEGO bricks (above and below) is mind-blowing, and a testament to AlexTestria’s team’s efforts. Interested players may download the “Brickcraft” resource pack on the creator’s Patreon page. The mod’s latest version 1.3 (low-quality) is available for free. But for a $2.56/€2 Patreon donation, he’ll provide the higher-quality editions. Apparently this pack is for PC version.

Tallneck (76989): Rumored LEGO Horizon Zero Dawn Set Partially Listed on German Retailer

Never let it be said that videogames are underrepresented among the myriad of licensed IPs in partnership with LEGO. They’ve scored some hits for all possible age groups too. We’ve gotten LEGO Super Mario for kids/families, Overwatch for older builders/gamers, and Minecraft for everybody. Even a good number of submissions on LEGO Ideas take after videogame IPs. At times it feels like it’s just a matter of time before another game franchise gets the LEGO treatment. Sometimes however, we receive some surprises. There was a rumor of upcoming LEGO sets for a certain game series that has seemingly been substantiated.

We got this information from another German LEGO news source, StoneWars. Apparently the rumored LEGO set for the PlayStation 4 videogame “Horizon Zero Dawn” will be coming out next year. This info came from a product listing on the website of German toy retailer Wagner’s. The set will be the LEGO Horizon Zero Dawn – Tallneck, numbered 76989. As expected from its original material, the set is marked age 18+, with 1,222 pieces and priced at €79.99. Europe at least could see the set by May 2022, though the same probably holds true around the world.

If you’re no gamer (or PS4 gamer at least), we have this handy-dandy recap. “Horizon Zero Dawn” by Guerilla Games is a 2017 action RPG released by Sony on the PlayStation 4. It takes place in a post-apocalyptic 31st Century where mankind has been reduced to a tribal existence. Their world is also home to machines, large robots with animal forms capable of self-replicating by consuming biomass. The Tallneck (76989) is a giraffe-like machine creature, hunted by “HZD” main character Aloy throughout the game’s storyline.

Now remember, this LEGO set retail listing remains rumor until LEGO themselves would confirm it.

“LEGO DC Super-Villains” Returning as Free Digital for PlayStation Plus Subscribers

Back in 2018 LEGO, WB Interactive and Traveller’s Tales flipped the hero focus of their DC-based videogames. “LEGO DC Super-Villains” instead put the DC baddies in the spotlight, seen from the eyes of a player-controlled super-villain. With the disappearance of the Justice League, the “Justice Syndicate” takes their place. Now the player villain, called “Rookie,” must help Lex Luthor and the other rogues uncover the Syndicate’s true motives. “LDCSV” received favorable reviews from the similar multiplatform release as its predecessors, including the PlayStation 4. Now, those who missed out on the game, or missed playing it, have a digital chance.

As reported by Brick Fanatics, “LEGO DC Super-Villains” is returning this month, free for subscribers to PlayStation Plus. The official PlayStation Twitter page revealed this late last week. Three titles comprise the PlayStation Plus’ latest free digital games: “Godfall,” “Mortal Shell” and “LDCSV.” Subscribers to the paid PSN subscription service can look forward to redeem these games starting December 7. PS Plus has been giving away free games to subscribers every month, and “LEGO DC Super-Villains” looks ready to capitalize. Its emphasis on a player-created character avatar central to the games’ plot has been considered a highlight.

LEGO Ideas Ninjago Game Contest Showcase: Watch and Vote Now

As we’ve featured before, the LEGO Ideas Ninjago 1-Button Game Challenge is one of the most technical contests they’ve held. Not many Ideas members could just program a microgame using the game engine of Unity, LEGO Ideas’ contest partner. All the same, a lot of submissions were made during the intake phase until early November. The Ideas expert review thinned these entries down to 15. These microgames now face the vote of the LEGO Ideas community for a week-long period. The winners have cool prizes waiting for them by next month. But what do these competing microgames look like anyway?

The Ideas team has that covered, thanks to this video from Unity’s official YouTube channel. Two LEGO reps and one Unity do a pick-and-play showcase of the Top 15 Ninjago 1-Button Game challenge entries. Despite the title, the theme of the microgames didn’t need to strictly be LEGO Ninjago. That means you’ll be seeing some interesting simple-to-play games in the showcase. If you’re a LEGO Ideas member, you can vote for your favorite at the official contest page here.

Your vote could decide which of these plucky microgame designers win the prize LEGO sets and paid Unity perks. Remember that each Ideas member can vote three times per contest, and only once per single entry. The crowd vote ends next Thursday, November 25, with the winners being announced December 2.

LEGO Vidiyoland is New Dream Island on “Animal Crossing: New Horizons”

Way back in March last year, even as the COVID pandemic kicked off, Nintendo released a new videogame. This was “Animal Crossing: New Horizons” for the Switch, fifth entry in Nintendo’s social-simulation franchise. In time it became the second best-selling title on that hybrid console, plus 15th best-selling videogame in history. In comparison, LEGO’s new Vidiyo line, launched just this year, had a rocky road. The minifigure playset-AR music video maker theme seemed fun at first but found few steady buyers. This led LEGO to put Vidiyo on hiatus for 2022. However a curious Vidiyo promo clip with “Animal Crossing” visuals recently piqued some interest.

As it turns out according to Collider, that video heralded a surprise LEGO-Nintendo collaboration. A new dream island expansion has come out for “Animal Crossing: New Horizons.” As expected, the new area is called “VIDIYOLAND” like the promo clip teased. “ACNH” players will find some new LEGO-themed fun activities waiting for them there. And they get to do them while Vidiyo music plays in the background. VIDIYOLAND features five stages themed after some selected Vidiyo minifigure characters. Enjoy them all in the company of Punk Pirate, Alien DJ, HipHop Robot, Candy Mermaid, and Party Llama.

This looks to be shaping up as unique “damage control” on LEGO’s part for the Vidiyo theme. The line’s not going to see new product releases until 2023. In that case, exposure via videogame tie-in’s the next best thing. And since VIDIYOLAND is tied to a very busy social game like “Animal Crossing: New Horizons,” it should work. Now LEGO Vidiyo won’t just fade even with a big product hiatus. Players can visit LEGO’s Vidiyoland through the dream address DA-4202-8210-6712.

LEGO Monkie Kid Galactic Explorer (80035) Makes Its Debut at the Expo

For fans of LEGO action themes wanting more variety outside Ninjago, Monkie Kid was a breath of fresh air. A fantasy-futuristic take on Journey to the West isn’t new; anime fans have Dragon Ball for starters. But an action-packed, super fun series rendered in LEGO and animated in 2D? LEGO had a winning recipe with this. Both the sets and the animated series generated massive hype, as had the announcement that the theme will continue. As an affirmation of this, LEGO showed the new LEGO Monkie Kid Galactic Explorer (80035) set at the Chinese International Import Expo. Some videogame content was revealed elsewhere as well.

80035 1

The LEGO Monkie Kid Galactic Explorer (80035) features a gloriously red space rocket accentuated by the theme’s familiar aesthetics. As for its minifigs, Monkie Kid looks to be teamed with Mei, Tang, Sandy, and his cat Mo. They appear to be fighting the Monkey King’s rival, Macaque, who has used his cloning magic (explaining two Macaques in this set). We’re not sure yet if this set ties into the planned third season of the Monkie Kid animated series, but I’m sure will find out pretty soon.

Meanwhile, Brick Fanatics has it that Apple Arcade’s LEGO Brawls is getting some Monkie Kid content. As can be seen in the trailer above, not only do MK and his friends join the roster. The platform-fighter mobile game developed by Red Games Co. will also be getting a new stage: Flower Fruit Mountain. “LEGO Brawls” gives a gorgeous adaptation of the LEGO Monkie Kid set (80024). The LMK stuff is now available on that title, playable on Apple Arcade with a monthly subscription. LEGO Monkie Kid is, indeed, continuing strongly.

More Upcoming LEGO Super Mario 2022 Sets Revealed

When this month began, LEGO gave their first look at the newest sets for LEGO Super Mario. Said sets, earmarked for 2022 release, tie into the Nintendo GameCube title Luigi’s Mansion. As it turns out, however, the three revealed were just part of a larger batch. What we probably didn’t expect is the venue for LEGO’s reveal of the rest. The grand unveiling took place at China’s 4th International Import Expo, alongside other LEGO set announcements. And this time around, we have some better images of the upcoming LEGO Super Mario 2022 sets expected to be part of LEGO’s wave of January 2022 releases.

Courtesy of The Brick Fan, let’s have a look at these other upcoming LEGO Super Mario 2022 set releases. LEGO put up images on their official page on the Chinese micro-blogging site Weibo, the link for which TBF provided. They’re quite an impressive ensemble, so here they are with set names translated.

The first three are Expansion Sets:

Bowser Jr.’s Clown Car (71396)

LEGO Super Mario 2022

Dorrie’s Beachfront (71398)

71398

Big Urchin Beach Ride (71400)

LEGO Super Mario 2022

The fourth is a character pack introducing more “Super Mario” game franchise characters:

LEGO Super Mario Character Packs – Series 4 (71402)

71402

As we mentioned, they’re probably releasing New Year’s Day 2022 alongside the Luigi’s Mansion sets.