Kinda Funny Gamescast: LEGO Horizon Adventures Review - Episode Summary

Release Date: November 13, 2024

Introduction

In the November 13, 2024 episode of the Kinda Funny Gamescast, hosts Greg Miller, Roger "GameOverGreggy" Picorny, and Angie Hicks delve into their comprehensive review of LEGO Horizon Adventures, a collaboration between Guerrilla Games and Studio Gobo. This episode offers an in-depth analysis of the game's mechanics, storyline, graphics, and overall player experience, providing listeners with valuable insights before making their purchase decisions.

Game Overview

LEGO Horizon Adventures is positioned as an action-packed adventure where players join Machine Hunter Aloy and her diverse crew on a mission to save the world and uncover secrets of her past. The game promises customization options and both solo and cooperative gameplay across multiple platforms, including PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

Hosts' Gameplay Experience

• Completion Time: Angie Hicks shares that she completed the game in approximately seven to nine hours while playing cooperatively with Lauren. Roger Picorny adds his experience, estimating a six to seven-hour completion time with Lanza.

  Angie Hicks [06:48]: "It was somewhere between like seven and nine hours."

  Roger Picorny [07:48]: "Six to seven hours maybe."

• Cooperative Play: The hosts discuss the challenges of split-screen co-op gameplay, highlighting issues such as tethering mechanics and progression discrepancies between players.

  Angie Hicks [19:09]: "If you play two player remote... she got no trophies, no progression... nightmare stuff."

  Roger Picorny [27:44]: "We were both handing off the controller, essentially, because one would just be disinterested... it was a disaster."

Detailed Review

1. Gameplay and Mechanics

• Linear Structure: Roger criticizes the game for its extremely linear gameplay with minimal exploration, describing it as "cookie cutter" and comparing it unfavorably to traditional LEGO games developed by TT Games.

  Roger Picorny [10:03]: "This is definitely a mediocre game. It's a mediocre LEGO game first and foremost."

• Combat System: The action is deemed monotonous, with repetitive combat scenarios that lack the depth found in earlier LEGO titles. The absence of puzzles and varied challenges further detracts from the experience.

  Roger Picorny [11:13]: "The gameplay is just kind of monotonous... there's no puzzles here."

• Customization Issues: While the game offers customization options, they are criticized for being superficial and disconnected from the Horizon universe. Random LEGO properties and characters feel out of place, undermining the game's thematic coherence.

  Angie Hicks [14:00]: "This totally missed the mark for me."

2. Technical Aspects

• Graphics and Design: Despite gameplay shortcomings, the hosts acknowledge the game's visual appeal. However, Roger points out that the lack of interactive environments and limited destructible elements reduce the overall engagement.

  Roger Picorny [34:37]: "The graphics are great... but some of the gameplay... it's fine."

• Bugs and Glitches: Both hosts report encountering bugs, such as missing boss spawns and issues with player resurrection, which disrupt the gameplay flow.

  Roger Picorny [32:58]: "I had like one visual bug at the very ending where a character was supposed to be dancing. They were just vibrating real fast."

  Angie Hicks [33:15]: "We had some gameplay bugs... one of the level bosses just like fully not spawn."

3. Storyline and Characters

• Narrative Execution: The game's story receives mixed reviews. While Angie appreciates the voice acting and the humorous, meta approach to storytelling, Roger feels that character development is shallow, relying on arbitrary traits rather than meaningful depth.

  Roger Picorny [34:38]: "Ashley Burch is doing a great job... the story is funny."

  Roger Picorny [12:32]: "They really focus on some of these... like Aloysi loves pickle sandwiches."

4. Value for Money

Both Angie and Roger express disappointment with the game's $60 price tag, arguing that it does not deliver sufficient content or quality to justify the cost, especially when compared to other LEGO titles.

Angie Hicks [35:55]: "I don't necessarily think that this is worth like the full price tag."

Roger Picorny [35:56]: "I, I just, I'm just a little bit like interested into the choice behind this specific franchise."

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Visual Appeal: High-quality graphics and well-designed environments.
• Voice Acting: Strong performances, particularly by returning cast members.
• Meta Humor: Amusing, self-referential jokes that may appeal to adult gamers.

Cons:

• Repetitive Gameplay: Lack of variety and exploration makes the game feel stale.
• Customization Shortcomings: Superficial and disconnected from the game's universe.
• Technical Issues: Bugs that hinder gameplay and disrupt immersion.
• Value Concerns: High price point without corresponding content quality.

Final Thoughts

Both hosts conclude that LEGO Horizon Adventures falls short of expectations set by previous LEGO titles. They rate the game a 5 out of 10, labeling it as mediocre and not a must-purchase, especially for fans seeking the depth and creativity typical of TT Games' LEGO series.

Roger Picorny [08:30]: "I'm sorry to say, Greg, I'm giving this game a five out of ten."

Angie Hicks [14:22]: "Mine's also a five,... it just feels pretty half."

They recommend potential buyers to consider other LEGO games that offer more engaging and polished experiences.

Roger Picorny [40:22]: "Play other LEGO games... these are more compelling."

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with the hosts reaffirming their 5 out of 10 rating for LEGO Horizon Adventures, advising listeners to explore other options within the LEGO game library for a more satisfying gaming experience. They emphasize the importance of value and quality, especially when investing in full-priced titles.

Roger Picorny [40:54]: "Just let one of the players satisfying options and like, really that's the takeaway that I have from this is like, man, I want to go back and play like a real LEGO game."

For those interested in their full discussion and other gaming topics, Kinda Funny encourages supporting their content through memberships and staying tuned for future episodes.

This summary provides an overview of the key points discussed in the "LEGO Horizon Adventures Review" episode of Kinda Funny Gamescast. For a complete experience and additional insights, listening to the full episode is recommended.