It wasn't easy to think of a name for this type of review so just go with it. So, last week saw the release of the 6th and currently final level pack for LEGO Dimensions. So in a sort of new territory for me, I'm going to review all the level packs which will include the figures, the gadgets and vehicles and of course, the new levels they bring to the game. Now each level are standalone from the game's main story and any other continuity within their respective franchises, but some can argue that some of them, could be canon, but we shall see. So let's dive in and break the rules in these level packs:
Back to the Future (71201)
So first up is Back to the Future. Now in the year that the game was released, it was also the same year Marty McFly goes to in the second film and you may remember me doing a post of the hysterical accuracies that the film had to see if we have the same stuff the film said we would have and while we don't have all of those things yet, it was surprisingly accurate. But let's now talk about the level pack. So in the pack, we have a Marty McFly figure with his guitar which will help with glass shattering in the game. We also have the hoverboard which is just what you would expect. And the world famous time machine, the DeLorean and using studs, you can have a try with all 3 versions of the car. So the level itself is a cut down version of the first film with Michael J. Fox and Christopher Lloyd reprising their roles to provide original dialogue (and for the former, it would be his first time doing so since the third film). It does skip out a great deal of the first film and only really focuses on the two main characters which isn't a bad thing by any means, but anyone going into this not knowing about the films (and really anyone planning to play this game, should really have the knowledge of all the franchises within) is not going to know what is going on. But this being a video game, some sacrifices have to be made and I'm just glad that they were able to really get the best bits of the first film and yes people, Doc Brown can also be purchased as a figure for the game along with the train time machine from the third film. 7/10
The Mysterious Voyage of Homer (71202)
To be completely honest, the only franchise that isn't as well represented like the others (well maybe aside from Jurassic World, but I'm going to let that one slide as it did have a game in the same year) is The Simpsons. I mean you got all the characters and Springfield sorted as well as the likeness and feel of the show. But the real issue is that its all archive footage which makes exploring the hub world feel too quiet and the TV theme is not there. I don't know how the call to Fox played out to get The Simpsons in the game, but I'm guess there were many issues. But despite that, we still get Homer, Bart and Krusty as figures as well as a level pack too so I can't complain too much. The level is based on an episode of the Simpsons from the show's earlier days (which feel like such a long time ago) which the name of this level pack shares and it basically has Homer try out some chillies in some kind of chili festival that the town host and after eating a few chilies from Wiggum, Homer then goes into a mind trip where he must find out what he is and seek out his soul mate. Its an interesting level which kind of feels similar to its level in the main story, given that you can use the Tardis to travel to the scene of an old Hanna Barbara cartoon in both levels (though different cartoons). Aside from that and all the negatives I have with the franchise in the game, its a good level that's funny and full of heart. And in the pack, you get Homer as a figure along with his car and his TV. 8/10
Aperture Science (71203)
So if Valve refuse to make a game with the number 3 on it, then the only way we can get some more Portal goodness, is in LEGO Dimensions. The first time I heard about this franchise being in the game, I was surprised like many of you, but was excited to see what TT Games would do with Portal in LEGO and they did not disappoint. The franchise is represented very well, most of the cast return to reprise their roles and it features music from the game and GLaDOs gets to sing the end credits song. Both levels are also well spread out and really have you test your skills. What more could you want? Much like with the rest of you, I wasn't expecting there to be many Portal packs considering that Chell is the only human character that would work well as a figure and her best weapons aside from her portal gun, would be a loyal turret and her best friend in the whole wide world, the Companion Cube. So the level is said to take place after Portal 2 and its level in the main story where Chell returns for some more testing along with some familiar faces along the way. I'm glad that some franchises in this game get better representation than others (which is kind of unfortunate) because there is so much you can do with Portal and the developers really put in a lot of time and effort to make Portal in LEGO Dimensions great. Really can't say any more than that. 9/10
The Dalek Extermination of Earth (71204)
Of course there would be a Doctor Who one. I mean TT Games are UK based and its one of the nation's greatest and longest running TV shows of all time. It wouldn't have been the same if it wasn't in the game. Featuring voice acting from the cast of the TV show (at the time) and being a non-canonical entry in the Doctor Who world (and for the sake of continuity, this came out soon after the 9th series aired so Davros not recognizing the Doctor is only a minor inconsistency here), The Doctor travels to Earth in the future where the Daleks have enslaved mankind. With the help of his Tardis and the robotic dog that is K9, The Doctor must stop them and travels to familiar places and battles familiar foes in the process. Its a fun level in that it manages to show us the best bits of the revival series with places like past, present and future London, Trenzalore and Skaro as well as enemies like the Silence, the Judoon, living plastic, Weeping Angels and others. Plus when you finish the level, you can then change the Doctor to your favourite incarnation all the way up to 12 (and this includes the War Doctor as well), all of which have archive footage and their Tardis interiors will change accordingly. Doctor Who has never really been great with the gaming world as its had a very mixed response, but was never really great in the gaming world in the first place. That is until LEGO Dimensions came along and while its not all Doctor Who, its the closest we're ever going to get in getting a proper Doctor Who game. 9/10
Ghostbusters (71228)
Because Hollywood can't leave the old nostalgia days of the 80s and 90s alone, it looks like we're getting another Ghostbusters film with an all female cast. Now most fans have expressed their displeasure over the whole shabam with the new film, but personally, I'm feeling optimistic about it. For a start, the director is known for making typically bad films into good films. Melissa McCarthy while not the greatest comedian out there, she's able to do great slapstick comedy and just be a woman not to be messed with by anyone. But enough about that, let's look at this level pack. So in the pack, you get the Ecto-1, the Ghost Trap and while the physical figure is Peter Venkman, much like with the Doctor Who level pack, you can change into the other 4 Ghostbusters once completing the level. Its hard to tell if this is original dialogue for the game or archive footage, but the level is otherwise a toned down retelling of the first film. Its quite a long level, but it is packed with lots of things to do with the franchise so I'm sure you'll enjoy it no matter what. 8/10
Retro Wreckage (71235)
So if you've played Rare Replay on the Xbox One, chances are that it will feel like the same experience here, just with different arcade games to play and its a whole more interactive. So the main character is Gamer Kid who is tasked with finding video game characters and send them back to their arcade machines. Throughout the level, you get to play various arcade games such as Joust, Paperboy and Defender (all in their original arcade forms) and if you meet certain conditions in each game, you get more studs and the fun goes beyond the level pack as the game will then tell you to use the arcade machine at points in other levels to unlock more games which you can then play on the Midway Arcade hub world. Its a fun one, no question about it. 9/10
And that's it. For now anyway. Whether it be making portals, traveling through time and space, catching ghosts or just tapping into your nostalgia, there trully is something for everyone with LEGO Dimensions and I hope this won't be the only level packs that we get. I want more.
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