While there have been LEGO game titles provided most people can remember, the discharge of the first LEGO The exorcist in 2005 marked the debut of the items most would say is the current LEGO formula. Despite a lukewarm critical reception, the game’s quirky sense of humor and charming visual presentation made it an immediate classic among a generation of kids who spent their time wading via a sea of licensed garbage. LEGO The exorcist holds a unique devote many people’s hearts, even though TT Games’ follow-up licensed titles based on Harry Potter, Marvel, and Indiana Jones (for starters) are certainly good as well, it’s LEGO Star Wars that’s the special one.
That’s an important thing to note, since this is an essential game for a lot of people, myself included. This is actually the return of the childhood staple, one that promises to not only rekindle the special moment of these PS2 memories, but also to go far above to give the definitive open-world Star Wars experience. It’s not only being marketed as a return to form; it’s being touted being an expansive galaxy with sprawling locales to explore.
Everyone loved LEGO The exorcist, after a basically endless slew of LEGO games released in the last decade . 5 that just seem to blend together right into a sea of boring bricks, it’s time for you to remind everyone why LEGO The exorcist may be the one that people still hold so dear to their hearts. Nostalgia is a hell of a drug though, and plenty of people are likely to be jumping in to the Skywalker Saga without any fond memories connected to the series.
That fact raises the central question of the review: does LEGO The exorcist: The Skywalker Saga have anything to offer beyond its license along with a heavy dose of nostalgia?
If you would like rapid answer, then yes. The Skywalker Saga is an incredibly engaging trip through three trilogies that also has plenty to provide for those who don’t care for Star Wars. Combat continues to be entirely revamped having a combo system, the open-world areas are addicting to explore, the humor lands, there’s a compelling progression system now, and also the collectathon nature of rounding up Kyber Bricks and characters alike makes it simple to sink hours upon hours into the game.
This is a big step up from anything that TT Games has released previously decade, and that’s even considering the functional strides that the studio has made with recent releases like LEGO Marvel Superheroes 2 and LEGO DC Supervillains. If you want the long answer, well, here’s the rest of the review.
In the months following the initial reveal from the Skywalker Saga, the game’s release date kept shifting further and further back before being hit by having an indefinite delay early last year. Delays aren’t anything out of the ordinary for most games, but lots of people couldn’t shake the issue: How come a LEGO game need to be delayed? They churn these things out like clockwork. What could they possibly need all that time for?
After playing with the Skywalker Saga, it’s clear why things took such a long time. This really is easily the most ambitious LEGO game to date. Missions are incredibly varied. Boss fights really are a blast. The open-world areas are massive and filled with countless collectibles. There are items to see in space. There are side missions on every planet. There’s just so much going on.
This is really an improvement over the previous LEGO games it doesn’t even feel to call it a LEGO game. This is a fantastic open-world The exorcist game that just happens to be made from LEGO bricks.
While you’d believe that missions would start to feel samey since they need to stretch nine films into five levels each, each level feels unique largely because of the variety of objectives and optional things to find on the way. Disabling the alarm system on the First Order ship at the beginning of Episode VII and finding a hidden cache of weapons to aid Poe and Finn on their escape, growing waves of battle droids on Naboo in a tower defense-esque section close to the end of Episode I, and of course, there’s a pod racing level. The pacing is actually congratulations.
Of course, the highlights are the big moments in the movies. The Darth Maul fight in Episode I is wonderful, for instance. It's multiple phases and chase scenes, complete with waves of battle droids in between. You’re not just wailing on the boss with a lightsaber. You might find yourself having to manually lift crates with the Force to create a safe passage across an electrified walkway or solve battery power puzzle to disable shields so you can progress down a hallway. The sport never hangs on a single mechanic for too long, so things are always exciting.
The game’s real strength, though, is incorporated in the open-world exploration. Collectibles called Kyber Bricks are scattered all across the galaxy. They often need you to solve an easy puzzle to gain access to them, however, many just require some clever exploration or a side quest completion. These bricks are everywhere, and they’re just simple to obtain where you’ll locate fairly easily yourself distracted between main levels. You should use these to purchase upgrades too, so they’re absolutely worth collecting.
The Skywalker Saga actually has much more that is similar to Mario along with other 3D platformers than you’d think. The sport reaches its best if this sets you loose on the planet and doesn’t hold you, letting you search for as numerous collectibles as you can find. Character swapping is easier than ever before too, done via a menu that you can mention at any time without loading, so you’re never inconvenienced when trying to gather a Kyber Brick or do a side quest.
When you take into consideration that you can fly up to space at any time and merely go planet hopping whenever you want, there's a ton of places to explore. It’s easy to get excited at the prospect of the full galaxy with multiple locales per planet, and the game actually delivers on that promise. Everything feels dynamic, the planets really feel alive. You will find random encounters wide as well, so you may find yourself in a dogfight with TIE Fighter pilots on your way to Tatooine.
The side content is also equally as good. Sure, there are a few generic collectathons like the majority of games have, however the quirky LEGO humor carries those lesser missions. Some side quests have more content than you’d think too. An optional mission involving taxis thief on Coruscant results in a whole boss fight, for example. There really is an insane amount of content, and it’s all really fun to complete.
Things have been dramatically improved within the gameplay department as well. Melee combat continues to be significantly overhauled. There’s now a combo system and every character has three different melee attacks including an aerial juggle. Lightsaber users can throw their weapon or make use of the Force to freely toss objects around. There’s a counter button. There’s a dodge mechanic. Situations are finally deeper than simply mashing the Square button.
For ranged characters, the game turns into a surprisingly competent third-person shooter. After disabling the default lock-on setting, you are able to freely aim and line up shots from afar. There’s a cover system too, although it doesn’t serve much purpose because the game is fairly simple and easy , those stormtroopers really can’t seem to hit their shots.
And obviously, every defeated enemy breaks into a couple of plastic pieces with an oh-so-satisfying clack. It’s just so enjoyable to smash things, too. Breaking and building are inherently satisfying, that’s why LEGOs are extremely popular in the end. Whenever you add in blasters and lightsabers though, not to mention the waves of studs that spill from every object and enemy like pinatas, every scene seems like a messy 7 year old’s bedroom in the best way.
It’s really surprising just how solid The Skywalker Saga feels even with no the aid of its license. This can be a fantastic game aside from the Star Wars and LEGO stuff. If you’re keen on the franchise, that’s just the cherry on the top. Everyone’s always wanted a The exorcist game like this. It’s a freely explorable galaxy that allows you to go wild as the superheroes and also relive your favorite moments from the movies. It’s a true celebration of The exorcist. An appreciation letter to end all love letters. TT Games clearly adores the source material, and there’s a lot love poured into every crack and crevice that it’s palpable.
Don’t allow the LEGO license fool you. This is the Star Wars game we’ve been waiting for. TT Games has generated something truly special, brick by brick. LEGO The exorcist: The Skywalker Saga isn’t only the best LEGO game out there. It’s also one of the best Star Wars games ever.
