LEGO Whatever

[Wrestlevania]

I've tried several of TT's infamous LEGO tie-ins and I really cannot understand their appeal, as games. Strip away the vomiticious bastardisations of my youth's favourite franchises, and you're left with:

• ploddy, imprecise controls
  
• stupid, fixed camera
  
• novelty "action" sequences, exclusively defined by an even more stupid camera
  
• boring character design, and;
  
• what seems like deliberately awkward level design, apparently intended to kill the player over and over again--instant longevity!

In short: uninspired, bland and wholly repetitive gameplay. I just don't get it.

I recently picked up LEGO Indiana Jones as an introductory game for my kids. But I find myself quietly biting on the arm of the sofa in utter frustration at it the whole time. And still these games sell, by the truckload.

Can someone draw me a diagram or something, either highlighting these games' masterful designs or indicating which part of my brain/soul I've had burnt off?

Edited January 29, 2009 by Wrestlevania
I'm an ignominious douche, and I'm sorry.

[David]

Okay, seriously, we did not make those games. TT Games is not Telltale Games. Frankly I expected better, Wrestle.

[brkl]

Metallus, you're a Telltale "we" too? Why have you not featured in the wonderful Idle Thumbs podcasts yet?

[David]

Metallus, you're a Telltale "we" too? Why have you not featured in the wonderful Idle Thumbs podcasts yet?

Hey, I was mentioned this week! That's more attention than I need or deserve. Also I might sound like a muppet.

[SignorSuperdouche]

I might sound like a muppet.

Nick is the only normal sounding person on the podcast, you'll be fine. Go on, give it a go

[David]

Since I am not playing a ton of games these days, I will retroactively redefine my use of the word 'muppet' to include this definition: "A person who is ignorant and generally has no idea about anything."

So anyway, how about those LEGO games? Pretty sweet, yeah?

[brkl]

All people do on the podcast is laugh at stupid inside jokes anyway. We choose you, Metallus!

[Jake]

Nick is the only normal sounding person on the podcast, you'll be fine. Go on, give it a go

Haha burn. I imagine that's only the case because Nick doesn't talk enough to reveal his true form. Also a burn.

[elmuerte]

LEGO Star Wars the original trilogy was good. But LEGO India Jones did wasn't as good, the controls were not as good. And it did contain quite some segments where you simply died over and over again. For example in the level with the motor chase scene. Or in some cases where you are simply constantly falling of a cliff, very annoying. The star wars version didn't have much of that.

[Wrestlevania]

Okay, seriously, we did not make those games. TT Games is not Telltale Games. Frankly I expected better, Wrestle.

Edited the OP. It was an honest - but admittedly careless - mistake and I apologise.

[David]

Hmm, my response sounds a lot meaner and super-serious when it's quoted. I was going for faux-dick, not the genuine article! This mix-up occurs quite often in games-related news updates, including recently in Wired. I didn't mean for the thread to shift focus, and I'm sorry. ()

[Wrestlevania]

I was a little startled, but also getting a msg from @telltalegames as well made me think I'd really caused some serious offence.

[James]

faux-dick

What, like a prosthesis? Is that the "adult entertainment" equivalent of lying on your CV?

[Wrestlevania]

What, like a prosthesis? Is that the "adult entertainment" equivalent of lying on your CV?

The medical term is "strapadictomy".

[SignorSuperdouche]

Haha burn.

Oh man, I didn't mean it as a burn. It's just that it's quite easy to listen to the podcast and imagine two felt puppets and a dude talking about video games. I have a stupid sounding voice too.

So anyway, I haven't played the LEGO games, although they are on my list of games I want to get so it's disappointing to hear that they may not be all that fun. Wrestle, how are your kids finding the game? Are they getting as frustrated as you or are you just being a grumpy old man?

[DanJW]

Wrestle, a big part of the games is co-op play. They are pretty boring to play solo. But then I assume you are playing with your kids?

Besides that, it's just a very simple grind-fest, with opportunity for OCD gotta-catch-em-all-ism. I think the first few are probably the best, in terms of challenge as well as humour (also it helped that they were ripping the piss out of the Star Wars prequels, an excellent target for shadenfreude).

[Nachimir]

Yeah, probably the best bit was being able to kill Jarjar over and over again.

I only played the first SW trilogy and thought the rest would be too samey, but a few dads I've known have sworn by all of these as something good to play with their kids.

[Garple]

Haha burn. I imagine that's only the case because Nick doesn't talk enough to reveal his true form. Also a burn.

Your voice is fantastic, Jake. You talk like a friendly monster or a cartoon character. You're my favorite on the show. It's like someone took the definition of entertainment, and built a mind and a voice out of it.

[syntheticgerbil]

You talk like a friendly monster...

Haha, now that you mention that, I don't think I can see Jake as anything else. It's totally fitting!

[Tanukitsune]

I really enjoy all the Lego games, but I simply love any game where you smash things and get lots of shiny things to pick up...

[Nachimir]

Are the LEGO games a sinister, junk-food type mix of Peggle and World of Warcraft mechanics?

[Wrestlevania]

"Junk food" certainly seems fitting to me.

[LetterT]

My wife and I find them pretty enjoyable (albeit the camera in Batman sucked in a few places). My wife isn't a huge "gamer" but she does enjoy some video games, of which, the Lego Games fall.

We don't have a lot of time to sit down and play and grind through games; the Lego Games are great to sit down and button mash through a few levels before having to get back to real life. She's not a big platformer, and there's just enough to keep it from being frustrating for her (though Indiana Jones has it's awkward moments).

She also enjoyed achievement hunting in Batman and Indiana Jones, which is awesome for me because it keeps her into gaming.

Their simplicity is their appeal for most people. Jump, smash, collect. Jump smash, collect.

Not everyone is a seasoned gamer that's made it through Gears/Gears2 on Insane in one sitting. For people who are trying to connect with their kids/wives/significant others through games, the Lego series are a decent option to go with.

Sure, they aren't for everyone. . . but what game is?

[Wrestlevania]

Actually, I'd not thought of asking Mrs V to play... might turn the tables for me.

[elmuerte]

What we need is a LEGO IdleThumbs