I grew up on DUPLO, LEGO, and K’NEX, so when we got the opportunity to review the Summer Update for Lego Bricktales, we said hell yeah. And yes, this update is free for everyone that already owns the game, but the publisher allowed us to review the update on a different platform – so you are reading the Nintendo Switch review this time!
For a quick recap:
In Lego Bricktales, discover an innovative brick-by-brick building mechanic to design puzzle solutions from your imagination. See your creations brought to life in a beautiful LEGO world where every problem has a constructive resolution. Embark on an epic adventure across a world of beautiful LEGO diorama biomes crafted brick by brick as you search for inspiration to help your grandfather reinvigorate his rundown amusement park with your little robot buddy in tow. Your journey will take you to the deepest jungle, sun-drenched deserts, a bustling city corner, a towering medieval castle, and tropical Caribbean islands. Help the mini-figures of these worlds by solving puzzles and unlocking new skills throughout the story to further explore them and uncover their many secrets and mysteries. And if you’re looking for a PlayStation review: it’s here!
Gameplay
So the main idea behind LEGO Bricktales is that you have to help your grandfather. But from there on, it’s full-on sandbox mode. To pass the puzzles and help the people you meet, you have complete creative and artistic freedom in what you want to do and how you want to do it. Of course, with the given bricks, it’s not Zelda Tears of the Kingdom. So when I hopped out of the jungles of Indiana Legones, I was met with a rowdy bunch of rockstars just outside the theme park, which wouldn’t be a strange sight in Park Beyond.
Summer Stories!
Enter Summer! In the free Summer Update, it’s time to help the LEGO version of AC/DC by giving the most awesome concert. A band is booked to play at the Summer festival but has lost their stage builders. That’s where you step in and use your brick-building skills to help them build and design everything they need to put on a spectacular show! With clever pun names, the game hints at what they are trying to impersonate, and I think the guys from AC/DC gladly helped design these mini-figurines with a striking resemblance to the original band.
So what do you get? A storyline where you help an ambitious band pull off a once-in-a-lifetime beach concert. It features six new construction puzzles, including some pretty hard stage designs, fireworks, animated lights, and the whole show (including robots). Don’t be fooled by the bricks, nods, and rock’n’roll – these puzzles are hard as can be – so be sure to finish the main storyline first! It also comes with three new wardrobe items (help one of your new beach buddies pick up some trash and get spiffy gear in turn – roadie time!). And to top it off, two new music tracks, one perfect for chilling on the beach and an upbeat chiptune rock song that will make you bop your bricky heads!
Conclusion
The Summer Update is a fresh breeze and fun written story part. The puzzles are hard and can be a bit confusing at times. Luckily there are enough bricks to cover even the most illuster stage ideas come to life. It’s great that studios are still releasing these updates as free DLC instead of wringin’ out every penny of their customers. If you like music and LEGO, this might be right for you! Just be in for some hard puzzling.
