Traveller’s Tales has been creating LEGO Games for a while, but not all of them have been fun experiences. In 2019, LEGO was gearing up to releaseThe LEGO Movie 2: The Second Part, and Traveller’s Tales was prepping to launch a movie tie-in calledThe LEGO Movie 2 Videogame. Much like with the firstLEGO Movie, Traveller’s Tales wanted to get itsLEGO gameout right around the release of the film. However, many decisions were made behind the scenes that resulted in a title far from what fans have come to expect.
Movie tie-in games are typically never acclaimed, but Traveller’s Tales has consistently proven it can produce quality ones.The LEGO Movie Videogamelet players experience the first film through a traditional LEGO formula, and it received decent reviews, meanwhileThe LEGO Batman Moviegot an expansion pack inLEGO Dimensionsthat also proved to be a lot of fun. Much like theLEGO Ninjago Movie, its own adaptation was very hit-or-miss. However, something happened withTheLEGO Movie 2 Videogamethat made it feel nothing like the film it was based on, and that needs to be rectified.
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The LEGO Movie 2 Videogame Was Not Great
The LEGO Movie 2 Videogamelaunched two weeks after the film, and felt nothing like other Traveller’s Tales games. The movie tookThe LEGO Moviecharacterson an interstellar ride filled with musical numbers and wild humor, but the game did not include musical numbers, and various elements of the narrative were changed. For the firstLEGO Moviegame, Traveller’s Tales kept to the film’s feel, but it took a very different route for the second.
ForThe LEGO Movie 2 Videogame, Traveller’s Tales chose to change the core gameplay that players had come to expect. This title did away with standard levels altogether, instead taking inspiration from thegameplay ofLEGO Worldswhile putting a heavy emphasis on building objects. Players would have to travel around explorable worlds to progress through the story and unlock characters, which could be a lot of fun for a LEGO game, but took away from the narrative.
While it is nice to see a developer take risks,The LEGO Movie 2 Videogamedeviated too much fromthe core LEGO formula. The game was not received well by critics or fans, and many LEGO fans cite it as the worst in Traveller’s Tales' catalog so far. WhileThe LEGO Movie 2: The Second Partalso received a mixed reception, many LEGO fans enjoyed it more than the game adaptation.
The LEGO Movie 2 Should Get a Second Shot
Traveller’s Tales made odd choicesthat significantly hurt the game. However, the film provides a decent amount of musical fun that would have translated well to a video game. While the firstLEGO Moviegot a decent adaptation, the second is left with one that many have chosen to skip.
It is unlikelyTraveller’s Tales will return toThe LEGO Moviefranchise, but it should.The LEGO Movie 2 Videogameis not a good representation of its movie, and fans of the film should be able to boot up a game version like they can with the first movie.The LEGO Movie 2 Videogameis a blemish on a franchise that tends to be good at making movie adaptations. Whatever happened behind the scenes led to a disappointing title, and if Traveller’s Tales is willing, it should revisit the film and deliver a LEGO Game that is worthy of the franchise.
The LEGO Movie 2 Videogameis available now on PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.
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