Game review: ‘Lego Jurassic World’ will charm dino-loving kids
"Lego Jurassic World." (Handout)
Screenshot from "Lego Jurassic World." (Handout)
Parents need to know that "Lego Jurassic World" is based on the "Jrassic Park" films and acts as a promotional tool for both the movies and Lego building sets, which means kids likely will want to watch the movies and buy more Legos after playing the game. (Common Sense Media/TNS)
Parents need to know that “Lego Jurassic World” is based on the “Jurassic Park” films and acts as a promotional tool for both the movies and Lego building sets, which means kids likely will want to watch the movies and buy more Legos after playing the game. Violence includes guns and dangerous dinosaurs but is relatively tame since characters are plastic and simply burst into building blocks when defeated. As with any Lego game, kids will have fun cooperating and playing together on a couch in the same room, making for a positive social experience. The action also may pique kids’ interest in learning more about dinosaurs or prompt them to pull out a bin of real-world bricks and start building from their imagination.
WHAT’S IT ABOUT?
“Lego Jurassic World” follows the stories of all four “Jurassic Park” films, though players can jump straight to missions based on the most recent film, “Jurassic World,” if they like. The action is very similar to that of the 20 or so movie- and comic-book-themed Lego games that preceded this one. Player-controlled Lego mini-figure characters — and, for the first time, Lego dinosaurs — move about levels reminiscent of scenes from the films, where they fight enemies, solve puzzles, and collect a wide variety of items ranging from Lego studs (the game’s currency) to hidden treasures, such as mini-kits. The objective is always to progress. That might mean breaking one or more objects into bricks to build something new that paves the way forward, or it could simply be a matter of defeating all enemies or making it to the end of a stage that has players driving a vehicle. Kids can use the stuff they collect in the hub world, an island-based dinosaur theme park where they can buy more playable characters and engage in side activities, such as rescuing park workers. As usual, two-player co-op is supported, so a pair of friends or siblings can enjoy the experience together on a couch in the same room.
IS IT ANY GOOD?
The interesting thing about Lego games is that though they rarely change much from one to the next, they remain perpetually popular among children. Older kids may grow tired of these games’ repetitive nature, but there’s always a fresh batch of younger players who get to experience their charms for the first time. And make no mistake: “Lego Jurassic World” is just as charming as any of the licensed Lego games that preceded it. It captures the excitement and vibe of the films extremely well; many scenes even pull dialogue straight from the movies. Smashing apart everything around you remains as satisfying as ever — as does figuring out the game’s nearly endless stream of little puzzles by applying the right character’s skill (Ellie can dive into huge piles of dino poop, and Lex can scream so loud she shatters windows) or building a tool from scattered bricks that saves the day.
Unfortunately, as with other Lego games, this one suffers its fair share of technical trouble. Getting stuck behind an object or suffering a freeze-up is never fun. And, aside from getting a chance to control some powerful dinosaurs, there really isn’t much new added to the formula (it’d be wonderful if the developers could figure out a way to give players a little more creative control over the items they build). But none of this will stop younger players — especially those who’ve fallen in love with the films — from having a blast. “Lego Jurassic World” is an easy recommendation for families with little Jurassic Park enthusiasts.
RATING AND CONTENT
Recommended for ages 10 and older
Quality: 4 out of 5
Learning: 3 out of 5
Positive messages: 3 out of 5
Positive role models: 2 out of 5
Ease of play: 4 out of 5
Violence: 2 out of 5
Sex: 0 out of 5
Language: 0 out of 5
Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 0 out of 5
Privacy and safety: 5 out of 5
Consumerism: 3 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)
WHAT KIDS CAN LEARN
- Science
- Thinking and reasoning
- Communication
- Collaboration
GAME DETAILS
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Wii U, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Xbox 360, Xbox One
Price: $59.99
Developer: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Release date: June 15, 2015
Genre: Action/Adventure
ESRB rating: E-10+ for Cartoon Violence, Crude Humor
