LEGO Voyagers: The Ultimate Review & Building Guide
▼ Summary
– LEGO Voyagers is a short co-op game completed in under four hours, leaving players wanting more content despite its enjoyable gameplay.
– The game features unique, voiceless 1×1 brick protagonists with simple controls and charming, expressive design reminiscent of Pixar characters.
– It emphasizes creative, physics-based puzzle-solving where players build structures in multiple ways without penalties for mistakes or death.
– The art direction uses realistic, shiny LEGO bricks with warm lighting and serene environments to create a believable diorama-like world.
– While the gameplay is praised for its playful tone and co-op fun, the story is wordless and its meaning or moral may be unclear to players.
Exploring the world of LEGO Voyagers offers a refreshing take on cooperative gameplay, blending creativity with charming simplicity. This two-player adventure from Light Brick Studios and Annapurna Interactive invites players into a world built entirely from LEGO bricks, where imagination and teamwork pave the way forward.
My initial excitement for LEGO Voyagers was palpable after a brief preview session, but the full experience left me with mixed feelings. My daughter and I completed the entire campaign in just over three and a half hours, noticeably shorter than the five-hour estimate from the publisher. While the journey was thoroughly enjoyable, its abrupt conclusion left us wishing for more. Unlike other concise titles that leave a powerful impression, Voyagers ended just as it seemed to be finding its rhythm.
Despite its brief runtime, the game excels in tone and presentation. Voyagers stands apart from other LEGO titles with its uniquely curious and playful atmosphere. Players control two nameless, voiceless 1×1 bricks, one red and one blue, each adorned with a single expressive eye. Movement feels intuitive and engaging; you roll through environments with believable physics, jump with the press of a button, and snap onto pegs to navigate the world. A simple rotation mechanic adds another layer of interaction, making exploration feel dynamic.
Though your characters lack dialogue, they aren’t entirely silent. Pressing a button produces adorable little sounds, which can harmonize in specific spots or simply grab your partner’s attention during online play. Speaking of co-op, the inclusion of a Friend’s Pass is a welcome feature, allowing two people to play together with just one copy of the game.
The visual design deserves special praise. Unlike the more cartoonish style of licensed LEGO games, Voyagers opts for a realistic approach. Every brick looks authentically plastic, complete with the LEGO logo stamped on its surface. Soft lighting and carefully crafted dioramas create a warm, serene atmosphere that draws you in. Flowing water and detailed environments enhance the illusion that you’re exploring actual LEGO sets from an omniscient viewpoint.
Gameplay is relaxed and penalty-free. Falling off edges or making mistakes simply respawns you right where you were, encouraging experimentation and lighthearted fun. The core objective is straightforward: move from point A to point B by building structures with scattered bricks. True to the spirit of LEGO, there’s no single right way to build. You can construct elegant, efficient bridges or slap together chaotic yet functional creations, both approaches are valid and enjoyable.
Puzzles evolve as you progress, though they never become overly complex. One standout segment involves operating a dump truck in an industrial yard, collecting materials, forging track pieces, and reassembling a railway. It’s a satisfying process that adds variety without overwhelming players. Near the end, a series of optional physics-based minigames provide extra challenge, though younger players might find them frustrating.
Beyond the main objectives, the game encourages playful exploration. My daughter and I often raced to “pop” flowers by rolling over them, even though it offered no tangible reward. Small interactive elements, like teeter-totters and benches, provide charming breaks from the central path, adding to the game’s relaxed vibe.
If there’s one aspect that feels underdeveloped, it’s the narrative. The wordless story begins with a rocket launch gone wrong and follows your bricks as they journey to the facility. While the visual storytelling is elegant, the intended message or moral remains elusive. Unlike emotionally resonant tales like Wall-E or Tunic, Voyagers’ narrative feels more like a backdrop than a driving force.
In the end, LEGO Voyagers is a delightful but brief adventure. Its inventive mechanics, beautiful presentation, and emphasis on creative cooperation make it a joy to play. Still, its short length and ambiguous story may leave some players wanting more. For those seeking a lighthearted, collaborative experience, it’s well worth the investment, just don’t expect it to overstay its welcome.
(Source: IGN)
