Finding my way to “Horizon: Zero Dawn” took longer than I would have expected. It wasn’t until the pandemic that I finally dove into what has become a foundational series for Sony. They had made a host of games available for free, including the comprehensive edition of Horizon, complete with “The Frozen Wilds” expansion. Curiosity piqued, I ventured into Aloy’s world, packed with robots and mystery, and was hooked instantly. Having spent over 250 hours immersed in “Breath of the Wild” prior, I humorously dubbed it the “Robot Dinosaur Zelda.” It’s essentially that—exploring vast open landscapes and battling mechanical beasts with a bow. The game’s unique story and sci-fi flair turned me into a devoted fan of Aloy. After playing the sequel, “Forbidden West,” on my PS4, I went as far as purchasing a PS5 specifically to play “The Burning Shores,” a PS5-only expansion—absolutely worth it.
To sum it up, I am genuinely obsessed with the Horizon series.
When I heard about a LEGO adaptation of the first game, I was intrigued but puzzled—especially since it was a Sony title launching on the Switch. Post-playthrough, my perplexity remains. “LEGO Horizon Adventures” feels offbeat. It doesn’t quite hit the mark for what I’ve come to love in the “Robot Dinosaur Zelda” games and lacks the tight combat mechanics that define its Sony counterparts. It almost seems like it’s trying to carve out its own identity with limited success.
However, one entertaining aspect is the return of much of the original voice cast. Ashly Burch resumes her role as Aloy, and JB Blanc, John MacMillan, and John Hopkins return as Rost, Varl, and Erend respectively. Here, though, they humorously transform into more exaggerated versions of their characters, which adds a fun layer to the experience. I was a bit let down by the new voice for Sylens, initially brought to life by the late, irreplaceable Lance Reddick. It left me wondering how they’ll tackle Sylens in Horizon 3, although LEGO Horizon strands Sylens far from his original role.
In this adaptation, you guide a little LEGO Aloy around with a bow, all from a locked, overhead perspective. While the platforming segments are pretty and intricate, combat scenarios are frustrating. Skirmishes occur within large arenas, filled with enemy machines—and sometimes human foes like the Shadow Carja. Aloy can hide in orange grass—a neat trick, as she humorously morphs into grass herself—but her cover gets blown once she goes on the offensive. With no ability to adjust the camera, you miss out on the full scope of the battlefield, which can be quite vexing.
Holding the L button activates Aloy’s Focus to highlight enemy weak spots. Yet, unlike the main games, her aim lacks precision, and there’s no slowing of time when targeting. Knocking parts off a machine is rare, a departure from the original’s strategic depth. You won’t find special arrows here, but instead, special weapons and gadgets with limited usage keep combat interesting—though they don’t offer the same level of satisfaction.
These special weapons include elemental bows, while gadgets range from boots with flame jets to an energy shield and other inventive tools like the melee “Brick Separator.” Despite adding variety, they fall short of the gameplay depth seen in the original titles. Combat feels more like a hurried retreat with occasional counterattacks.
You’ll collect studs by smashing environmental objects, uncovering chests, and defeating enemies, which you can spend back at your base camp, Mother’s Heart—the game’s most curious area.
Mother’s Heart functions as a playground where you can customize buildings, purchase costumes, manage quests, upgrade abilities, and build new features. With each new chapter, more of the camp opens up for further customization, though I found little joy in sprucing up Mother’s Heart unless it was quest-related.
Buildings do provide a steady stream of bonus studs, but gathering them all can be tedious. While the addition of new customization options is frequent, they often derive from standard LEGO themes rather than the Horizon universe. So, if you’ve ever fantasized about putting a Ferris Wheel next to your post-apocalyptic village, here’s your chance. Want to dress Varl up as a hot dog? Knock yourself out.
As you progress, you’ll tackle “Apex Missions,” where you face tougher versions of standard machines in return for “Red Bricks.” While combat is manageable, I did find myself frequently defeated in these more intense battles. Thunderjaws emerge as the fiercest adversaries, though their fights are mercifully infrequent and contained within their own unique arenas. Personally, the Cauldrons were a standout—underground machine-manufacturing hubs that retain their curious, alien charm with a focus on platforming rather than sole combat.
The game also offers couch and online co-op play. The second player can choose from Aloy, Varl, Erend, and even Teersa (remember her?). Each character brings unique gameplay: Varl uses a spear, Teersa is all about explosives, and Erend wields an imposing hammer. Single-player mode allows switching characters in Mother’s Heart or at mission start. While it’s delightful to experiment with each, I always found myself returning to Aloy.
In couch co-op, the game performed adequately with my friends’ children, though combat can become overwhelming, losing track of what exactly is happening. Revival mechanics involving holding X add to the tension, but being tethered to each other helps maintain coherence. Combat is simple enough for younger players, making it a great game for shared experiences, especially if it pulls them away from their usual favorites like Fortnite.
Overall, I enjoyed my time with “LEGO Horizon Adventures,” though calling it a traditional Horizon game wouldn’t be quite right. It’s definitely aimed at a younger audience, omitting many of the traits that captivate fans of the PlayStation series. However, if you’re after a laid-back and amusing action experience or something to enjoy with your children, this serves as a solid pick. What I’d really love, though, is more LEGO sets to further populate my Horizon-themed collection. My Tallneck could use some company—a Thunderjaw or a Slaughterspine, perhaps.
Lastly, an interesting update on Sylens: we’ve just learned that Tim Russ, of “Star Trek: Voyager” fame, is taking over the role. While he doesn’t have Reddick’s iconic voice, Russ seems a fitting choice, likely transitioning into the role with ease. Sylens has always had a sharp, logical edge, making this casting apt, though it feels a bit skewed considering the DJ persona adopted for LEGO Horizon.
