IGN-LEGO Lord of the Rings Review

IGN:Ask just about any gamer for their thoughts on LEGO's video game franchise, and you'll likely hear the same thing again and again: “You know, they're surprisingly decent.” And it's completely true. Given that the games all sport not one but two product licenses and are generally aimed at kids, the competence with which they are put together is often the last thing you'd expect. But at a certain point, defying your audience's low expectations isn't enough anymore, because its expectations have changed 6.8/10

[sarshelyam]

Wow, this is one of the more harshly reviewed LEGO entries to date.

I ran through it solo, barring side-missions of course, rather quickly. Similarly, I had the expectation that TT Games would, at the very least, give me a bar-none purely inspired LEGO rendition of the movies, and it did just that.

Everything in IGN's review is spot on, but the words of encouragement, and the concerns of stifled gameplay don't really seem to add up to the score IGN has given it. It seems, at its worst, LEGO LotR is victim to simply not doing too much new, but really...what are the expectations now? Are we supposed to review games based on what we hope they'll do in the next game, or on the merits of what they present currently?

I had fun with it. My son has fun with it. We received exactly the product we expected and are quite pleased. IGN seems misplaced with their concerns and scoring.

[barb_wire]

I'd have to agree with you, it's a solid 8 in my eyes. Story mode is long but not too long - still not sure on actual voices though, I prefer the old LEGO's simple grunts/groans.

Having said that though, it's time for a upgrade on the LEGO games.. something as simple as, say 50 Red Bricks to find in the game as opposed to 20 (it's been 20 since LEGO Star Wars) The camera still needs some work. Also, would be nice to actually spend those godly amounts of LEGO studs on something worth while in the game. Also, let's be honest, once you get 100% on these games, there is ZERO reason to come back and play again. Would've been cool if we could done levels from Sauron's POV (LEGO Batman did it, surprised none the LEGO's that followed did the same)

[sarshelyam]

Absolutely agree with most of your points. That's why I'm interested to see what LEGO City Undercover brings to the table. Even if all we're looking at is a GTA clone with a heavy white-wash of LEGO, I think the potential is in the right place. Open world mechanics, persistent activities to engage the player, etc.

In regards to the current state of LEGO franchise entries, perhaps they could introduce something like what Nintendo does with the Layton series. Something like a Challenge Mode that openly engages players beyond the initial product with weekly/monthly FREE Challenge packs that could cover any number of objectives/goals, offering additional content and unlockable items.

[Conzul]

IGN's score numbers haven't matched with what they've said for some time now.

[sarshelyam]

Not sure what IGN expects. I think the bigger concern here is the perceptions of expectation, which appears to be the biggest offender. It seems, to me, that IGN walked into this review with relatively high expectations that it would be a radical departure from the foundation of what has made the LEGO franchise so successful.

On the one hand, I get it. LEGO games are due for some reinvention. LEGO City Undercover looks like a step in the right direction, but TT Games never made claims that this would be something new in any other way than its subject.

[MrDead]

"LEGO LotR is victim to simply not doing too much new" seems that some games get away with not doing much new and some games don’t.