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Listen, Tolkien was a great writer, there's no question about it. But to be honest, I
don't even think he could review this game. I mean...listen. I like these games, and I
enjoy playing these games. But I ran out of things to say about these games...like, a
long time ago. At least five years ago. Probably more. Actually, definitely more.
LEGO games are, just...indistinguishable. Fun, and well made. Also, indistinguishable.
LEGO The Hobbit? Language was never intended to deal with this.
So, uh...we've also reviewed the Xbox 360 version of this game. Obviously, as a multiplatform
game, they're basically identical. But that's not the problem. The problem is...they're
identical to just about every LEGO game, ever. Not just each other. And like I said, they're
still fun. When a new LEGO game comes out, I always look forward to playing it.
I just dread when I have to review it.
Honestly, what is there to say about LEGO The Hobbit, that I haven't said about LEGO
Star Wars; Batman; Marvel; Lord of the Rings; Pirates of the Caribbean; Harry Potter; who
knows what else? It's like reviewing Madden games at this point. Same game, different
roster.
In this case, it's a roster full of hobbits. And dwarves. LEGO The Hobbit is like an interactive
retelling of the first two Hobbit movies. And of course, if you've played any of the
big franchise LEGO games in the past...you've got a pretty good idea what to expect here.
In terms of the gameplay, LEGO The Hobbit builds from the same set of instructions as
prior games.
So you get lots of puzzles, lots of combat, lots of action.
Lots of LEGO. Lots of...deja vu.
Of course, where these games actually do achieve variation...it's usually in terms of the proportion
of those ingredients, as opposed to the ingredients themselves. Games like LEGO Batman and Marvel
are more about the combat, games like LEGO The Movie and Harry Potter are more about
the puzzles. Obviously, given the source material, this one's more focused on combat. So, you
do take care of puzzles...but you take care of a lot more orcs.
And actually, some of the battle scenes are pretty epic.
In fact, that's the thing I enjoyed most about this game. The presentation really captures
the scope and vibe of the movies. You get music and voices pulled right from the movies,
which is great. But the environments, in particular. I mean, this is one of the prettiest LEGO
games I've played. Now, I personally prefer how The LEGO Movie Video Game did the environments
completely in LEGO...but it's hard to argue with results like these.
From the massive underground dwarf cities, to the epic battlefields and the sunny green
hillsides of the Shire...this is just a very beautiful, and very Middle Earth, video game.
So you're getting the same fun—if predictable—LEGO gameplay, all wrapped up with this gorgeous
presentation...but is that all? Is there anything new? Well, fortunately, yes. LEGO The Hobbit
actually keeps the instruction builds from The LEGO Movie Video Game. And these are kind
of like little LEGO minigames. Following the instructions, you try to pick the right LEGO
pieces as fast as you can. The faster you do it, the more of a bonus you get.
And these are fun. They make the games feel even more LEGO.
As far as other changes...well, since it's a game about dwarves, there's a crafting system.
In addition to collecting all those LEGO studs, you can also collect different materials.
Things like rocks, wood...even carrots. And you can use that stuff to craft new stuff.
Stuff like keys, which help you progress. But again, these are really just peripheral
additions.
The core gameplay is still the same as LEGO always has been.
And really, that's what it comes down to with this game. If you like the LEGO games and
you're still not tired of the LEGO games...hey, this is another great one. It's got a long
campaign, and a bunch of side quests...you travel all over Middle Earth in this game,
and if you're a fan of the movies or the books, you're gonna love that. I mean, it's more
awesome LEGO.
On the other hand...it's more LEGO.
It's LEGO The Hobbit.
Can you imagine LEGO Madden? You'd have, like, past-life regression...playing that game.