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Little heroes, big stories: the evolution of Lego minifigures
by Ramon Schneider
When a new Lego game is launched, Batman is never far away. In addition to "Legacy of the Dark Knight", my colleague Domagoj and I have tested two other Lego games that whet the appetite for more.
Colleague Domagoj and I have been gaming our way through the colourful world of Lego blocks at Gamescom. We were able to test three titles in advance - and for the most part, we are thrilled. The best thing is that you don't have to wait long for the titles yourself - at least not for all of them.
This new Lego spin-off is a cosy co-op game. In a lovingly designed Lego world, we are two little Lego bricks tumbling around. We help each other to cross obstacles and discover the Lego world. Sometimes we have to build a bridge with bricks lying around, or a staircase - sometimes it's enough to balance over bricks.
The controls are limited to two buttons on the controller: roll forwards and jump. In combination, I can also glide forwards. This makes the gameplay clear, but by no means easy. To move stones, I have to jump on them properly. I don't always manage to stack the bricks correctly or cross the bridge without falling off straight away.
Overall, the game progresses at a very leisurely pace and doesn't present any huge challenges, at least in the early stages. I can't die. If I fall too deep somewhere or drown in the water, I simply respawn in a similar place. The focus is therefore on cosy get-togethers and exploring the world. The details are beautifully designed: from fluttering butterflies and rushing waterfalls to blossoming trees and meadow landscapes - all in typical Lego style.
After playing the game, I fear that it could quickly become too monotonous and boring for me. However, I think it's the perfect introduction to the world of co-op games for children.
When: 15 September
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch(-2 compatible)
This new party game is licensed by Lego but made by SMG Studio, an independent development studio in Australia. The game throws me into the setting of a colourful game show including presenters. There is an endless amount to discover. The fact that the idea is stolen from «Mario Party» doesn't detract from the fun of the game.
As with «Mario Party», I choose one of various digital board games from a hot air balloon - and compete against up to three friends. The aim is to collect as many golden Lego bricks as possible (at «Mario Party» these are golden stars). I can do this by collecting Lego coins on the game board, for example, which I use to buy the golden bricks in the right place on the game board.
In between, I win one or two mini-games - or steal my fellow players' hard-won Lego bricks in passing. The four of us decide democratically which mini-game to play in each round. From space travel to car racing, pretty much everything is included.
About 100 minifigures, which actually exist at Lego, serve as play figures. From a zombie to a figure in a fox costume to a pizza mascot, everything is included. I find the typical Lego humour not only here, but also in the animations, cutscenes and possibilities in the game. References to other games and films are never neglected. My favourite example: a chicken on the head of a Lego figure alludes to a scene from the series «F.R.I.E.N.D.S».
During the demo, I also get one or two random facts about the game. For example, the voice of the Lego presenter, Misty Lee, is also the voice of the female Clicker from the video game «The Last Of Us». And for those who like to spend their time putting Lego figures together: All the creatures and games that appear can be recreated. Simply take a screenshot and get started.
The short round of «Lego Party» lasted 45 minutes and definitely left me wanting more. I'm already completely out of my Lego mind!
When: 30 September
Where: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch(-2 compatible)
At Gamescom Opening Night Live, publisher WB Games announced a new Lego game featuring the legendary Batman in collaboration with developer studio TT Games. I was able to play the colourful action adventure shortly afterwards. This much in advance: Batman fans should definitely make a note of this title.
The developer studio has big ambitions. In an interview, the game director reveals that TT Games «has drawn on decades of reference material [...] from films, series, comics and games». The result of these endeavours should be something like the ultimate Batman game - or in the words of TT Games: «an ultimate, indispensable, epic story about Batman». In my hour or so preview session, I only see a fraction of what awaits me in the finished game. But I get a good feel for the passion and attention to detail that has gone into this game.
First I get to try out the open world mode. According to rumours, the map will be even bigger than the one in «Batman: Arkham Knight». If that's true: Wow! I explore the dark alleys of Gotham City and switch between Batman and Jim Gordon. There will be seven playable characters in the finished game. The whole adventure can of course also be played in co-op mode.
The graphics are already very well worked out in the Gamescom demo. Bright neon lights accentuate the otherwise gloomy streets of Gotham. The rain forms reflective puddles on the ground. The game looks particularly beautiful when I'm travelling in the Batmobile and causing chaos. But my eyes are also spoilt on foot. Batman's cape flutters in the wind as he runs, jumps and glides. And Gotham City is full of loving details and allusions that will make the hearts of Batman fans beat faster.
I'm a little concerned about the content of the rather empty-looking open world. There's not much going on in the demo. A robbery here, a collectable item there and a car race in between. It's all pretty unspectacular open-world fodder - but there are still at least a few months to go until the release.
Finally, I fight my way through one of the linear story missions. One positive thing I notice is the fluid combat system, which is obviously inspired by the «Arkham» games. It's fun to beat the meanies to a pulp. When I'm not beating up enemies, I'm sneaking through the levels with the bat or swinging through the air with his grappling hook. From time to time I have to switch back and forth between Batman and Gordon to solve puzzles with their respective special abilities. It's all great fun - even if it's not radically different from comparable Lego games.
I can't wait to see what storylines, ideas and gameplay mechanics TT Games will incorporate into their «ultimate» version of a Batman game. The foundation for a real hit is definitely there.
When: sometime in 2026
Where: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Switch 2
In my world, Super Mario chases Stormtroopers with a unicorn and Harley Quinn mixes cocktails for Eddie and Peter at the beach bar. Wherever I can live out my creativity, my fingers tingle. Or maybe it's because nothing flows through my veins but chocolate, glitter and coffee.
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by Ramon Schneider
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by Philipp Rüegg
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by Domagoj Belancic