In its 7th iteration of bridging two powerhouse franchises, LEGO is back with Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga. Encompassing all nine films in episodic chronology, fans can try their luck as a plethora of much-loved characters through epic battles, craft races and lightsaber duels. Star Wars fever has firmly taken hold but does it live up to the hype?
As the prelude titles roll, the level of attention to detail TT Games has opted to craft is immediately noticeable. Watching a condensed yet epic movie on a smaller screen, there's a hit of nostalgia while waiting for episodes to load, with title sequences embodying the classic graphic language that has become synonymous with the franchise. A beautiful scope of worldbuilding envelops each playable location, with unlockable free world play allowing gamers the chance to explore each detail in depth. Even for those who have little experience of Star Wars' intricate web of Easter eggs, there's plenty of visual delight to guide the eye.
The good news is that LEGO Stars Wars: The Skywalker Saga is entry-level in accessibility. It provides the perfect landing point for those who want to develop their gaming skill off franchise knowledge, but are at a loss for how to do so. Even if you get eaten by a giant fish, crash your ship into fellow space orbits or lose your duel against Darth Maul, players can immediately pick up where they left off with little consequences. This is a game that kids and adults alike can merrily spend hours toiling away in—whether that's playing true to episodic chronology, or jumping between episodes as more progress is made.
That being said, it's arguable that the level at ease comes at a disadvantage to more experienced players. Levels and goals are overtly explained, while playable action is often nothing more than moving from A to B, as the meaty drama plays out in pre-recorded sequences. Mini-games and unlockable items are often difficult to trace, though difficulty does increase as the episodes continue, albeit subtly. It's clear that this is not a game for those looking to achieve true Jedi status through hours of thankless graft, even if it is incredibly satisfying to single-handedly destroy a fleet of incoming attackers.
What makes the easiness so palatable is the hallmark of LEGO's brand voice. Certain sequences may be hard to follow if your Star Wars knowledge isn't deeply fleshed out, as narrative details are often glossed over between levels. Even so, the franchise itself has never been more endearing. Injecting the level of effortless wit seen in hits like The LEGO Movie and The LEGO Batman Movie, Star Wars doesn't feel intimidating or unfriendly. Whether it's through hologram miscommunications or a random lawn mower mid-battle sequence, the game never struggles to secure its laughs. If a certain level or unlockable item is leaving you frustrated, tensions will immediately be mitigated by a quick, silly gag.
One point of note — and something quickly identified by players as a possible issue — is the feeling of motion sickness. Much of the episodic gameplay takes place floating through space or in sci-fi drag races, bringing with it a sense of disorientation that could quickly lead to nauseous feelings. When lost in the darkness of space shootouts, it's easy to lose your bearings. Speeding vehicles travel so quickly it's enough to make a grown adult scream, with immediate repairs needing to be carried out. It's at times frustrating, with long interludes between lightsaber usage and hand-to-hand combat. Even though some players have regarded the level of flying activity as an oversight, it's a hallmark of Star Wars that always remains enjoyable.
LEGO Stars Wars: The Skywalker Saga is a game players will want to cancel everything to get stuck into, providing hours of enjoyable content in a way that will satisfy even the most hardcore of fans. Its LEGO charm remains present while incredibly entertaining, while the level of accessibility is to be both savoured and applauded. While some sequences might be best left unplayed, the enduring love for the characters and the impeccable worlds around them knock this latest LEGO instalment into a world of its own.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is out now on Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, PS4, PS5 and Xbox One.
