Is LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Worth It?

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a highly anticipated and well-received game, especially for fans of the franchise. In my opinion, it delivers a fantastic experience blending creativity and storytelling to create a one-of-a-kind adventure in the Star Wars universe. However, it comes with its own set of challenges and concerns.

Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga

If you've played any of the Lego games, you'll recognize the formula: it involves exploring a vast open-world filled with challenges, collectibles, and side quests. The latest installment, however, takes this concept to a whole new level. It traverses all nine films of the Skywalker Saga, allowing players to experience the adventures of their favorite characters in a unique Lego format.

Unique Gameplay and Storytelling

The Skywalker Saga is a massive adventure, comprised of five levels for each film with open-world sections in between. This expansive gameplay ensures that there's always something new to discover. While the story mode alone can take 18-20 hours to complete, the game's substantial side quests, collectibles, and challenges can easily extend the gameplay to 25-30 hours or more.

The Development Background

Despite its engaging gameplay, the game's development has raised significant concerns. Polygon reported that the developers had to work in a crunch-like environment, where long work hours became routine, leading to stress and overwork among the team members.

This context overshadows the game's substantial achievements. The talented team at TT Games managed to create an experience that reimagines what a Lego game can be, blending Star Wars' iconic elements with fresh gameplay mechanics. They have successfully reinterpreted the series' roots while capturing the essence of Star Wars.

Graphical and Sound Design

The game's visual and auditory design are outstanding. The seamless transitions between different episodes, the well-rendered environments, and the sound effects enhance the immersive experience. The game runs smoothly, with occasional glitches that can be fixed by restarting the console.

Humor and Detachability

Another aspect that sets this game apart is its humor. The game playfully riffs on iconic moments from Star Wars, delivering a series of clever and amusing references. The humor is particularly noticeable in its take on the classic "Aren't you a little short for a stormtrooper?" line, among many others.

Challenges and Mechanics

While the game excels in many areas, some mechanics could use refinement. The combo-heavy melee system occasionally feels too cumbersome, making time-to-kill slightly extended. However, the dogfighting sequences are notably improved compared to previous games in the series. Overall, the developers did a fantastic job in balancing the game's various elements.

Concluding Thoughts

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a commendable achievement, despite the challenges faced during its development. It successfully transforms the vastness of the Star Wars universe into a Lego adventure, providing hours of entertainment for both casual and devoted fans. While the excessive workload of the developers is disappointing, the game's unique blend of creativity, storytelling, and humor makes it a valuable addition to the franchise.

Without a doubt, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is worth the time and effort for enthusiasts of the Star Wars saga and gameplay enthusiasts looking for a new and exciting adventure.