LEGO 2K Drive, published by 2K and developed by Visual Concepts Entertainment (known for their work on the NBA 2K and WWE 2K franchises) , takes players on an open-world driving experience set in the LEGO world of Bricklandia. With its seamless transforming vehicles, thrilling races, and the opportunity to build custom rides, the game promises to deliver the ‘ultimate LEGO driving adventure’. And while it has its share of strengths and weaknesses, LEGO 2K Drive provides an engaging premise, enjoyable gameplay mechanics, and visually appealing environments on the PlayStation 5.
LEGO 2K Drive introduces players to Bricklandia, a vibrant open-world where they can freely explore, compete in races, and build vehicles brick-by-brick. The game offers various modes, including an engaging Story mode that sees players progressing from rookie racer to renowned champion while challenging personality-rich rivals. Additionally, players can partake in single races, Cup Series tourneys, and off-the-wall minigames. Mastering drifting, boosting, jumping, and utilizing power-ups becomes key to victory. The premise of LEGO 2K Drive provides an enticing blend of exploration and racing, catering to both LEGO enthusiasts and racing game fans and striking a balance between the gameplay of Forza Horizon and the plethora of kart racers out there.
The world of Bricklandia in LEGO 2K Drive is a vast and colorful playground that invites players to unleash their creativity. Turbo Acres, Big Butte County, and Prospecto Valley are just a few of the diverse locales players can traverse, each offering its own unique challenges and visual charm. The world is filled with delightful characters and amusing quests, making every corner worth exploring. The open-world design adds depth and replay value to the game, allowing players to uncover hidden secrets and discover new adventures as they explore the map.
One of the standout features of LEGO 2K Drive is its vehicle-building mechanic, which makes great use of the LEGO license. The Garage allows players to construct and customize their cars and boats using LEGO bricks. The building process is intuitive, with snapping bricks together to create unique rides. Whether players prefer building from scratch or modifying existing vehicles, the creative possibilities are nearly endless. The ability to take the creations for a drive enhances the personal connection between players and their creations, fostering a sense of ownership and pride that’s hard to rival. We loved unlocking a Delorean in the most recent Hot Wheels game, but building one out of LEGO is much cooler – even if it barely looks like it.
LEGO 2K Drive has engaging and vibrant visuals, capturing the charm and nostalgia associated with LEGO. The attention to detail in the environments and character designs adds to the immersive experience as well, and the game’s ability to provide local splitscreen multiplayer and online multiplayer options allows players to enjoy the adventure together, enhancing the social aspect of the game.
The game could have used some additional polish though, especially when you look at the so-so AI of your CPU-controlled opponents. And as much as we like the creative options available in the game, we’re hoping for a few more racing modes to be added post-launch. And as accessible as the building options are, LEGO fanatics might long for more leeway to construct more complex builds.
Despite leaving some room for improvement on the table, LEGO 2K Drive successfully combines the imaginative world of LEGO with thrilling racing gameplay, offering an enjoyable experience on the PlayStation 5 with its captivating premise, engaging gameplay mechanics, and visually appealing environments. This is a fun racer that encourages creativity and exploration, and despite minor shortcomings this will be a blast for LEGO fans – especially those who have the option to play together with friends.
Score: 7.8/10
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