LEGO 2K Driveis the first game in a multi-title partnership between The LEGO Group and 2K Games, ultimately capturing yet innovating on the nostalgia of games likethe Nintendo 64’sLEGO Racers. Creative director Brian Silva told Game Rant that this title wasn’t necessarily inspired by it but the studio was aware of it, and it is a new game filled with nostalgia nonetheless. That may seem like an oxymoron, but the truth is that there is so much from LEGO’s history here that everything feels familiar the minute it is booted up.
This is great becauseLEGO 2K Driveis a game for everyone, if perhaps most for younger and older fans of LEGO. In it, players attempt to win the Sky Grand Prix, defeating rivals and the villainous Shadow Z along the way, but that’s either a straight shot or a detour for players. That’s because the game is designed to allow players to do whatever it is they want to do, whether that be focusing on the story, simply exploring the various biomes, engaging in multiplayer, and much, much more.
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Silva stated, during our interview, thatLEGO 2K Driveis not a racing game; it’s a driving adventure game. That said, someone looking for intense races is going to find them here. These races will see players stick to tracks, go off-road, and hit the water, with the vehicle they are driving seamlessly transitioning between three different vehicles, designed for each spot. Likemost Kart Racers, which is a solid comparison if not entirely accurate,LEGO 2K Drivefeatures a number of power-ups, like rockets and shockwaves, that can be used to gain on others or keep others back. There was nothing quite like being in first place, just to come in fourth due to an onslaught of power-ups. At the same time, defending that coveted first-place position by cleverly using these very power-ups was a rewarding feeling.
LEGO 2K Drive’s story will see players racing against their rivals and getting into the Sky Grand Prix, but each rival will have their own theme and racetrack throughout the game’s biomes. These rivals are competitive but remain supportive when beaten. While each wants to win the Sky Trophy, it’s all for the love of racing—the only real enemy is Shadow Z, who is a cheater and general ne’er-do-well. This approach retainsthe LEGO humorthat all fans can love and enjoy, while keeping the general tone light and silly. At the same time, there is also some Cup Series available in the menu players can tackle to keep the races going, and there are three classes of vehicles to go through: Class C, Class B, and Class A. The highest class (A) offers players more in the way of performance tuning and difficulty, yet it should be noted players can beat the game with their starter car, should they so choose.
Again, racing is just one part of the game. Players will be able to travel across several biomes like the starter area, the race-loving Turbo Acres; the desert biome complete with aliens, spaceships, and wild west themes, Big Butte County, which is described by the game as one letter away from anarchy; Prospecto Valley, which is covered in huge gold nuggets and lush forests; and Hauntsborough, the spooky biome. We were only able to travel through Turbo Acres and Big Butte County, but general exploration was easily our favorite part of the preview. There is plenty to encourage exploration, such as finding the secrets and collectibles scattered around the world of Bricklandia. Following rivers, trying to get on top of dinosaurs and alien ships, and heading toward the giant attraction in the distance is a great way to take in all the game has to offer.
Along the way, players are going to encounter something not too common inthe standard racing game: quests, where players are tasked with helping the citizens of Bricklandia. There are also on-the-go events, challenges, and more to complete throughoutLEGO 2K Drive. Our favorite was being told to drive as fast as we could through a tunnel, just to hit a wall in a true Wil E. Coyote Moment. Another quest we couldn’t complete mentioned that there was a jetpack we could eventually unlock, which Silva explained added a certain verticality andMetroidvania elementto the game. Other quests and events saw us playing a driving equivalent of Simon Says, gathering us loose tumbleweeds, and trying to deliver flowers for a would-be lover. There’s certainly plenty of variety, and it feels like we had only touched the surface when we left Big Butte County.
Of course, all of this is fun—but it’s better when playing with others. This can be said of a lot of games, but it’s especially true forLEGO 2K Drive. It allows fortwo-player local co-opand competitive gameplay, with it expanding to six players when online. Simon Says was fun when competing with a finicky computer that decided whether we should gas it or stop, but doing so with a few other folks added a whole new element to the game mode. Every misstep was a major setback, victory was never guaranteed, and it was pure fun. We also played a few traditional races in this mode, which elevated the skills of our rivals for more enticing gameplay, and there was a game mode that saw us all racing around tight corners in a city to get to certain locations first.
And yet still on top of that, customization had a lot to offer inLEGO 2K Drive. We didn’t get to experience customization at higher levels with Class A vehicles, but just making a vehicle is as enticing as every other game mode. Silva said we could build a shoe or a fruit basket, and we believe him. Players are required to have wheels (or a motor, in the case of a boat), so it’s impossible to build something that can’t drive. But even when trying to mess with the physics as much as we could and build true monstrosities, the game supported all of that. It’ll be interesting to see what the community comes up with, that’s for sure.
What’s clear from our time withLEGO 2K Driveis that it offers the type of experience anyone may want. If someone wants to terrorize a destructibletown like they are playingGrand Theft Auto,they can do that. If they want to push the boundaries of its customization, the Garage has that covered. If they want to prove they are the best racer, that’s covered, and if someone wants to look in every nooky and cranny, they’ll be rewarded.LEGO 2K Driveisn’t just a drive; it’s a beautiful cruise, set to the speed players want, in whatever vehicle they can imagine.
LEGO 2K Drivereleases on May 19 for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X.
