Open-world driving games are often about a gritty aesthetic or an authentic point of view – which is actually a bit misleading because, by definition, an expansive virtual environment is anything but realistic.
Not to mention you’re taking on a police offer that five miles an hour over the speed limit could land you behind bars in the real world.
So why not just overdo it, overdo it and be stupid? Freed from the shackles of a street racing scene, LEGO 2K Drive thrives, and while it’s not designed specifically for children, creator Visual Concepts is at pains to explain that it’s a family experience and not a kid’s experience – when we’re 10 years old would be again we would be beside ourselves with excitement as we wet our pants. Here’s why.
The basics
For those who aren’t up to date, let’s quickly recap what we’re seeing here. LEGO 2K Drive is the first game in a multi-year, multi-title partnership between the small brick manufacturer and the publisher of wrestling and basketball games.
While it’s not known for its driving titles, its very existence comes as a surprise – but don’t worry, a team that brings together both open-world and classic arcade car game veterans has been assembled over the last five years to to create what will be released today, May 19, 2023.
You play through a story as an unnamed rookie who rises up the toy-to-life motorsport scene in the patently fictional world of Bricklandia.
Aside from the floor, everything you see is built out of LEGO bricks, and not only in the ‘fake’ way, but if it couldn’t be done with real parts, then theoretically it’s not here. And, satisfyingly, the way LEGO Star Wars or Marvel action and adventure releases manage to smash most of what you see into tiny shards of plastic.
The environment does not consist of a single room, but is divided into four islands between which you “fast travel”, and each biome has its own flavor. From Big Butte County in the American Midwest to the spooky environs of Hauntsborough.
You must earn access to these by participating in races, which not only unlock experience points for levels but also money for customizations and flags. Flags are key, as they act as keys to access bigger, harder racing events, culminating in the Sky Cup Grand Prix where you defeat antagonist Shadow Z.
Always gently
One of his greatest strengths is progress. There’s the narrative – driven by ex-racer Clutch Racington and TV presenters Vikki Wheeler and Parker Carr – but the game mechanics are also paced.
For example, the ability to use jetpacks is only presented to you after about 10 hours, which also upgrades the vehicle class from C to B and finally to A, which basically determines the difficulty and speed of events.
Vehicle perks are tied to class and your XP level. These are added to the mix later in the game along with various abilities like Brickbashing – a higher form of boost when your stash is full and you have a long enough straight to use it.
You’ll constantly find hidden collectibles, complete challenges along the way (think short time trials or long jumps to earn either bronze, silver, or gold), or find esoteric quests (shoving a giant egg into a pan…) amidst a barrage of incentives.
It combines the instant gratification required in the current gaming era (well done) with an understated, old-fashioned, slow pace that conveys a sense of truly deserved something.
find the river
However, the aplomb with which LEGO 2K Drive handles the structure and beautifully endearing graphics could be lost if the driving experience isn’t up to the same high standards.
Unfortunately it isn’t. But at least it’s close.
For an accessible title all about toys, the handling of the vehicle is rightly benign. The controls are logical, and drifting around corners – one of two methods of gaining boost, the other smashing street furniture – is initiated by simply holding down the left trigger.
Although some vehicles are classified as “heavy”, they all feel somehow easy cornering. At slow speeds, a lack of precision and sluggish turns are noticeable. You can use a kind of handbrake called a “quick turn,” but there are times when you don’t need to screech 180 degrees — especially when you’re trying to round up a herd of blue cows…
Something like Hot Wheels Unleashed is actually easy to learn, but also has greater depth of handling.
Unlike that title, however, your ride here changes—automatically by default—on the fly when you change the surface type. Off-road UTVs, boats, and then cars for traditional tarmac, and each can be unique gear.
It’s neat, and it’s the boats that are our mode of transport of choice since the water best suits the game’s vehicle physics system.
Part of the development team has worked on some groundbreaking racing games like Hydro Thunder. Released in 1999, you’ve raced high-speed motor boats, collected power-ups, and even ridden over ridiculous jumps.
There are clear parallels between the two titles, which are decades apart, and the same sense of outrageous frivolity has been carried over to them.
I look back to go forward
Speaking of the past, the ability to build your own vehicle from scratch and then compete against rivals reminds us of Lego Racers, also from the late ’90s. The tools have since improved and there are now hundreds of different real Lego pieces available to create from a bare chassis and the polygon count is significantly higher too.
But the beguiling nature remains constant.
Lego Racers, PlayStation, 1999
But in 2023 that will not be enough. In this respect, there are online multiplayer races that are quite cross-platform except on the switch. The action is frantic, and when there isn’t a full lobby, they’re replaced by AI-controlled rivals.
However, it should be noted that the maximum lobby size is eight, and whether online or offline the power-ups appear to be a derivation of Mario Kart – there’s nothing particularly unique in this area.
However, the reduced number of online players also allows a group of players to access Bricklandia over the internet and not just at racing events. Aside from the first tutorial, the entire career can also be played in local splitscreen – which is crucial for a family-friendly title.
Unfortunately, in practice, most levels or side quests don’t seem to be designed for two players in terms of objectives. It becomes more of a race to see who can finish first than teamwork.
road map
Then we come to the annoying topic of DLC. While the overall environment is varied, there’s a nagging doubt that an additional biome wouldn’t hurt, and guess what, one is due out later this year as a paid extra as part of a Drive Pass.
At the time of review ahead of a general release, while we could use in-game credits to purchase shiny new cars, the ability to use real currency was not possible. Packages range from £4.99/$4.99 to £44.99/$49.99 for packages. Our first impression is that the bonus payouts can be a bit stingy compared to the price of the vehicles. We’ll have to see how this balance develops over the next few months.
Despite some issues, the structure and world LEGO 2K Drive has created for the intended audience is very safe. For those older, you might be able to see through some of the overly easy-to-handle or DLC models – but play it co-operatively with someone younger and watch their imaginations light up.
Don’t take things too seriously, switch off, relax and explore a world made of LEGO – the stuff of dreams.
| developer | 2K visual concepts |
| release date | May 19, 2023 |
| Available Platforms | PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PC |
| version tested | personal computer |
| Best to play with it | gamepad |
