Four stars
Pro: seamless integration of physical and digital world
Con: cost of add-ons
Have you ever fancied driving the Batmobile through the land of Oz or battling Daleks as Gandalf?
If so, Lego Dimensions is the game for you.
Warner Bros and TT Games have teamed up with the classic construction toy firm to create this multi-dimensional game that ties all of the Lego universes and series together for the first time.
The starter kit comes complete with a build it yourself Lego portal, three game characters (Gandalf, Wyldstyle and Batman) and the Batmobile.
After carefully constructing the portal's peripheries, it's time to enter the realm of Oz.
The plot of the game is fairly pedestrian, the Lego portal has been destroyed and our band of valiant heroes must battle through the Lego multiverse to find the pieces and stop Lord Vortech.
However, it's a lot of fun and the ability to let players add their creations to the onscreen action using the starter kit's portal pad represents something new for Lego, although it will be familiar to anyone who has played Skylanders or Disney Infinity.
The game also allows players to use any character they want in each universe, creating endless possibilities and numerous, previously impossible, crossovers.
The gameplay will be familiar to anyone who is a fan of Lego's previous ventures into the console world, with easy to understand controls and an emphasis on puzzle and problem solving.
I was a bit skeptical about the idea of having three interchangeable characters for one player mode but it works well, with each bringing a new skill set.
The initial foray into the World of Oz is bright, colourful and fun, with players getting the chance to follow the yellow brick road, battle flying monkeys and take on the Wicked Witch of the West in her castle.
Choosing Springfield as the destination for the second level is a wise move as it really shows the diversity and depth of the game. The inclusion of robots from the Lego Movie in the level is also a nice touch.
Gameplay aside, the strength of this new game offering is the way it seamlessly integrates the joy of physically building Lego with its on-screen, digital world. Each vehicle and set can be rebuilt to reflect changes and progress in the game, giving players the chance to flex their imaginations as well as their problem solving skills to complete levels.
Lego have already released a variety of add-on level, including Jurassic World, Back to the Future and the Simpsons, with more, such as Doctor Who and Angry Birds already in the works.
The add-ons, which are available as fun, level and battle packs, give players access to additional gameplay, adding extra layers and depth to the game’s already impressive universe.
However, at £15 to £30, they don’t come cheap and that is a downside. The price tag is likely to cause a headache for parents and could put some players off investing further in the game, which would be a real shame.
Despite the cost, Lego Dimensions really is a dream come true for any Lego fan. It should not be missed.
Lego Dimensions is available now, priced £79.99 for Xbox 360 and PS3 and £89.99 for Xbox One and PS4. I tested the PS3 version of the game.
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