My affinity for both Star Wars and LEGO has been a constant throughout my life, making their combination a source of considerable enjoyment. The LEGO Star Wars franchise boasts a rich history, with the original title launching in 2005. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, released two years later, remains a personal favorite. This iteration allowed players to experience the first six episodes, from Episode I to Episode VI. In 2016, the fifth installment, based on Episode VII – The Force Awakens, included a prologue featuring Episode VI – The Return of the Jedi to establish narrative context.
Following the conclusion of the Skywalker saga with Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker, the release of a new Lego Star Wars game was anticipated. That game is now here: Lego Star Wars – The Skywalker Saga.
Upon starting the game, the differences from previous Lego Star Wars titles are immediately apparent. The visual fidelity has been significantly enhanced, with light effects and animations approaching the quality seen in the Lego films. While the series transitioned from mumbling to conventional dialogue in earlier entries, the voice acting in this installment is particularly well-executed. I initially played the game on Xbox One, with plans to evaluate the experience on Xbox Series X and PS5. Noteworthy is the inclusion of original actors, such as Anthony Daniels reprising his role as C3P0. Furthermore, the voice actors emulating other characters deliver performances remarkably close to the original portrayals. I found myself verifying the voice actor for Han Solo due to the accuracy of the imitation.
The LEGO figures exhibit a higher level of detail, with a particularly notable emphasis on wear and tear. Each character possesses unique abilities and/or weapons. The combat system has been refined, moving beyond simple button mashing to incorporate more strategic elements. Enemies can now block attacks, requiring players to vary their approach and employ combinations. The previous system of three hearts has been replaced with a traditional health meter. Lego Star Wars – The Skywalker Saga presents a more mature tone, particularly in its more intense and consequential battles. The puzzle elements have also been made more intricate and challenging.
Many classic LEGO gameplay mechanics remain, including collecting Lego bricks, destroying objects, and constructing new items. Lego Star Wars – The Skywalker Saga offers an expansive playing experience. Initially, all episodes are locked except Episode IV – A New Hope, allowing players to begin with the original trilogy, a welcome design choice. After several hours of gameplay, progressing to the Death Star and the rescue of Princess Leia, I had only completed approximately ten percent of the first film.
The level design and overall structure are significantly different from previous titles, indicating a complete overhaul rather than a simple reuse of existing levels. The inclusion of subtle references and nods to other Star Wars films released in recent years further enhances the experience for dedicated fans.
The only minor issue encountered during my time with Lego Star Wars – The Skywalker Saga involved occasional freezing during brief cutscenes, resulting in the camera becoming fixed on an obstructed view. This occurred primarily in the Cantina, during the iconic scene involving Luke’s altercation with a patron. In these instances, the camera would fixate on an empty surface, with the sounds of the conflict audible but unseen. These are likely software bugs that will be addressed in future updates, although they can be disruptive. Additionally, I occasionally experienced difficulty in precisely positioning characters to interact with loose Lego bricks for construction purposes.
In conclusion, Lego Star Wars – The Skywalker Saga represents a near-perfect execution and is a must-have title. Lego Star Wars has introduced many to the appeal of both Lego and Star Wars, and this installment is technically sophisticated enough to offer a rewarding challenge even for adult players. Lego Star Wars – The Skywalker Saga is infused with humor and irony, and with its updated visuals, it effectively functions as an extensive Lego-themed adaptation of all three Star Wars trilogies.
Warner Bros Games provided a review copy of this game. The provider has no editorial influence on our reviews.
