LEGO The Hobbit Reviews
LEGO The Hobbit has some strengths, and it's perhaps tempting to look at the sheer size of the world and volume of content and give it a pass. However, we feel that the frequently poor design and shoddy gameplay experience represent a low in the franchise. We're often supportive and complimentary of the LEGO series for what it does achieve despite some flaws, but this is a sloppy effort from Warner Bros. and TT Games. A typically rushed movie tie-in, and an unfortunate blemish on an otherwise excellent franchise.
Even if you're not completely sick of the LEGO formula, you will be by the end of LEGO The Hobbit. This is a simple action game with light puzzles and an overwhelming cast of characters. It's also a disappointing retread of games you've probably already played. There are a few memorable moments sprinkled throughout this adventure, but this newest LEGO game covers too much familiar ground.
The game is definitely not dull to play and should not be seen as such. It's a massive experience with some really unique puzzles to solve and should keep you on your toes. Ultimately, if you like LEGO games, you like this. If you like The Hobbit, you'll like this. If you like both? Well then you've hit the jackpot my friend.
It's arguably not fair to criticise a Lego game for being a Lego game but having seen three on the Xbox One (or PS4) since its launch, it is becoming more and more difficult to hold back the feeling of repetition. Lego The Hobbit is better than The Lego Movie Videogame but that's not a massive accomplishment and sadly neither are as good as Lego Marvel.
LEGO The Hobbit has plenty of charm and plenty of content, but it's hard not to feel like the series is lacking some of the verve that it once had.
Probably one of the best Lego games out there, on par with the excellent Lego Marvel Superheroes. Worth a look, especially if you're a Tolkien fan.
LEGO The Hobbit is what everyone expected, which can be good or bad depending on your exposure to the series. There is plenty to enjoy here for Middle-Earth fans, children, and those who haven't been burnt out yet by the series, but for those who were hoping for a fresh take on the LEGO video game experience there are few unique experiences to be had.
It is not to say that there is no fun to be had in this re-imagined Legoverse, because even with tired familiarities, Lego The Hobbit does plenty to satisfy you with its charm and whim, but the franchise needs a modest makeover if it wants to keep its youthful patrons engrossed.
The similarity of the various dwarf characters can prove to be a challenge. The sheer number of dwarves in Thoromir's party and their similarities in Lego form makes finding the right character with the right ability for any particular task more difficult than it probably should be. I do not discount my unfamiliarity with the movies being a contributing factor here but in the other Lego games I've played, character designs are varied enough for this not to be an issue. There's really only so much detail you can put on a Lego character yet there's no mistaking R2D2 with an Ewok, is there?
Lego The Hobbit joins the ever growing Lego franchise with another adaptation from J.R.R Tolkien novels and the movie franchise of Peter Jackson. New gameplay mechanics introduced to the winning formula that we know and love
In the pantheon of LEGO games, LEGO The Hobbit isn't the worst by a long shot – but the formula's certainly getting tired. While the decision to release the game with only two-thirds of the story complete is an odd one, there's still more than enough content to keep you occupied for a good while, and the presentation is still as charming as ever.
As with anything, you can have too much of a good thing. Standing on its own two feet this would be a fantastic game, but off the back of its predecessors it's a tiny step rather than any form of giant leap. If you like Lego games then you'll no doubt lack them up, but akin to go on a rollercoaster for the umpteenth time, it feels like it might beginning to lose its thrill.
This isn't TT's fault by any means, but it does make for a game that has to wrangle a sloppy a story, awkwardly transitioning from Ian Holm's older Bilbo as narrator, before those duties are passed onto Christopher Lee's Saruman for reasons that aren't entirely clear. It's not the best Lego game by any means, mostly due to the lacklustre licence at its core. However, Lego The Hobbit still demonstrates TT Games' willingness to experiment with the series' popular design and it makes some strides here to shake-up the formula in exciting new ways. If you love The Hobbit then you'll find the world absolutely crammed with things to do and see, but those that were disappointed by Jackson's second Middle- earth trilogy might not want to be reminded of the cinematic misfire.
Despite its sudden conclusion and its familiar gameplay, LEGO The Hobbit is a fitting adventure, adapting the films for younger and older players alike.
Tolkien's The Hobbit gets a LEGO makeover. Don't expect innovation but if you've loved the previous games, this is a winner.
Lego The Hobbit is a handsome game, but it's also proof that the formula Traveller's Tales employs for most of its Lego titles simply doesn't work for everything it adapts.
Fans of Tolkien's work or the recent movies are sure to enjoy the journey there, and back again. For everyone else, this is another LEGO title. For better or worse, the series keeps on chugging. Thankfully it is always of high quality.
There are some new issues with the camera and its unfortunate tendency to trap you in an infinite death loop while playing co-op, and the general simplicity of the game and limited innovations to the gameplay will put off some, but LEGO The Hobbit is definitely fun to play.
Lego The Hobbit brings the first two Hobbit films to life in TT Games' great, family-friendly style. On PlayStation 4, the game looks absolutely amazing, especially in the cutscenes and major battles when it matters most. Unfortunately, the source material lets down TT Games here; the dwarves just aren't very distinct when compared to the cast of Lego Marvel and The Lego Movie. All told, Lego The Hobbit is very good, but it doesn't reach the best of those previous titles.
I felt like this was one of the weaker LEGO titles to have been released. A lot of the time I was thinking "If you've played one or two LEGO games then you have pretty much played them all." The game is still good, and can be very fun, but the lack of change became much more noticeable this time round. Would I recommend this game? Maybe at a later date when the rumored DLC for the 3rd movie comes out or a "complete edition" is released next year.