Epic Gumdrop Ep 21: LEGO Dimensions

Having played through the main game’s campaign mode, I really enjoyed LEGO Dimensions! I too enjoyed the physical toy integration in the game, especially when solving color matching puzzles in the levels.

The levels for Doctor Who, Midway Arcade and Portal 2 were my favorites, since they offered what each intellectual property focused on, and enhance the LEGO puzzle solving formula. Portal 2 really felt like the official Portal games, Midway Arcade was tons of retro fun with homages to (spoiler alert) Defender, Gauntlet, Super Sprint Track and Robotron. Doctor Who offered new enemies with unique abilities (I was both frightened and excited for the Weeping Angels game mechanic). I’m not even a Doctor Who fan but it drew me into the world easily. The other levels in the game offered great references to the source material.

The voice acting was well done in the game, though I at first didn’t recognize Lord Business since it wasn’t Will Ferrell. Otherwise, without specific nit-picking, the characters were well-animated and understood clearly (even the Doctor). The writing was brilliant and I enjoyed it when characters interacted with objects, like Batman riding in the Mystery Machine and considering it a good mobile version of the BatCave. However, some voice “acting” was simply lines ripped from the franchises, as noticed in Ghostbusters and the Simpsons. Might I also mention, actual franchise soundtracks for the Ghostbusters level (and the Titanic bonus in that level), as well as Doctor Who and the rest, bring the experience more-so to life.

Although, it’s not perfect in every way. Even though I’m not a Chima fan, I was disappointed the campaign didn’t even give them a level, when every other theme had a level! The least I saw of Chima was one object to activate with Chi Power, and the slight appearance and quick disappearance of a fire lion vehicle. I know kids enjoy Chima, but compared to every other theme represented, they got short handed. Wheras Batman was anything short of content. About half of the enemies in the game were DC villains (Lex Luthor, Riddler, Bane, Joker, Robin – spoiler alert). The other properties were still represented in villains and levels, but half the time I thought I was playing a lost copy of Batman 4. Batman as a character is also well-involved in the puzzle solving by his batarangs and grapple hook, but I suppose kids will enjoy it regardless.

Gameplay-wise, the only flaw I found was the use of Gandalf’s magic, specifically when objects had to be picked up and moved elsewhere. The movement was either too slow or too slippery. In the Back to the Future level, Gandalf has to pick up a brick-built saw to cut open a stack of “wooden” boards. These types of activities show a silhouette of where to move the object, but as you place it in its outline, it can float to the side and cause you to re-position it. A minor inconvenience to the gameplay when you need the object focused on a specific point.

As I catch my digital breath, after completing the story mode, I’m now trying to experiment with the game. I’ve learned so far that by bringing in characters, the gadgets can be unlocked. A character base is at minimum required for their in-game function, but the mini-build on top helps to identify what is loaded on the toy tag (not just for kids, but adults might find it helpful too since the tags aren’t labelled like the figures). The tags however can be rewritten for any combination of vehicles, and I’d to test if I can have two BTTF hoverboards in the game level. The separately sold characters do help make the basic gameplay easier. I learned that Jay (TRU exclusive at this time) can use lightening without the keystone being active, as well as use stealth like Batman and have a Spinjitzu use on spinner locks. I’m also going to write up a list of what the characters can do in game, and help is appreciated for this list, so that I can determine if you need to buy all the packs to complete the game 100%.

All in all, a must-buy for LEGO fans. 9/10