Lego Party!
Preview
Everything is Awesome
by William Thompson
previewed on PC
Bricktastic
I've said it before, and I'll say it again...everything is better with LEGO. So when we at Hooked Gamers were invited to the SMG Studio offices to get a hands-on with LEGO Party, I gleefully volunteered to check it out. The result? A vibrant, brick-tastic take on the competitive party game genre that promises to be just as much fun for seasoned gamers as it is for the youngest minifigure-in-training.
At its heart, LEGO Party wears its inspiration on its blocky sleeve: it's a clear descendant of the beloved Mario Party series, but infused with that signature LEGO charm and humour. SMG Studio hasn't just slapped a new coat of paint on a known formula; they've built a solid foundation with three distinct ways to play, catering to different moods and player counts.
The core mode is the Challenge Zone, which will be immediately familiar to fans of board-game style party games. Here, up to four players move across beautifully designed game boards, competing to collect Golden Bricks. What makes this mode dynamic is the player-voted game selection at the start of each round, ensuring a degree of control over the proceedings. For players who prefer pure mini-game action, the Mini Game Rush lets you choose a selection of games to play back-to-back, with points awarded based on your placing in each one. Finally, there's Score Crasher, a dedicated single-player mode for those looking to master an individual game and beat their best score.
The atmosphere of the game plays out like an irreverent, colourful game show, brilliantly hosted by the wisecracking duo of Paige Turner and Ted Talker. Their dynamic, full-spoken commentary is a huge selling point, with over thirteen thousand lines of dialogue ensuring the gags and banter stay fresh for a long time. The humour is classic LEGO—expect plenty of delightful Dad Jokes and context-aware dialogue that changes depending on the real-world day or time you are playing.
All games are designed for four players, with smart AI filling in for any missing human competitors, making it easy to jump into a game whether you're playing local couch co-op or online with friends.
Built differently
The level design is truly something special. The settings for the Challenge Zones were crafted by four actual Australian LEGO Designers, meaning every environment, from the placement of a stud to the construction of a vehicle, could technically be built in the real world. This commitment to authenticity results in four visually stunning and incredibly vibrant themes: the adventurous Ninjago zone, the swashbuckling Pirate Zone, the thrilling Theme Park, and the cosmic Space Zone. These varied zones also dictate the playtime, offering experiences that can range from a quick 45-minute session to an epic, three-hour marathon.
A critical design choice for a party game is accessibility, and LEGO Party excels here. Each mini-game features a brief, clear introduction to allow players to quickly familiarise themselves with the goal and the controls. In most cases, all you need is the left thumbstick and a single button, ensuring the barrier to entry is virtually non-existent. This level of simplicity makes the game genuinely playable by all ages, a cornerstone of the LEGO philosophy.
From the brick-built beauty of the environments to the infectious personality of the hosts, LEGO Party looks set to be a fantastic addition to the party game landscape. It successfully mixes nostalgic inspiration with that unique, vibrant LEGO spirit. Now, the big question is: which zone will you play first?
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