A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away – in 2005 to be exact – TT Games created a family-friendly action platformer using one of the most prestigious movie licences ever. Lego Star Wars: The Video Game released for PlayStation 2, Xbox and Gamecube was a fun ride for many reasons, but chief amongst them was just how well it translated the events of George Lucas’ prequel trilogy into a brickified universe that was fun to explore with friends. Now, well over two decades later, TT Games is returning to where it all began with the launch of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga this coming Tuesday.
And while returning to the first two trilogies might initially seem like a step backwards, the truth is that The Skywalker Saga looks to be one of the biggest, most ambitious LEGO video games yet. There’s a new engine, new gameplay mechanics, and even more ways to explore the most recognisable Sci-Fi universe in all of movies. Still don’t believe us? Here’s why…
Revamped combat brings a new dimension to gameplay
The original LEGO Star Wars games weren’t known for their particularly deep gameplay, but luckily The Skywalker Saga is going to great lengths to try and remedy that. Whereas before battling it out as the Jedi and Sith mostly boiled down to mashing the attack button repeatedly, the combat mechanics have been totally revamped to play in a more modern way. A lightsaber-wielding character, for instance, will have to block and dodge as well as simply attack. From here on out the pressure is on to think more strategically about how to approach one-on-one combat.
Perhaps more excitingly, though, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga also makes some important changes to how firing a blaster works. Gone is the reticule that used to hover around the desired enemy of your choice, and in its place is a more conventional third-person, cover-based shooting system. You’ll be able to view your targets from behind the shoulder of whatever person you’re playing as, enjoying a more ground-level perspective as Lea, Finn, and other characters who aren’t force sensitive. As such, shooting enemies offers a solid challenge, in addition to feeling more authentic.
The entire nine-movie saga made playable in a game for the first time
When TT Games set out to make the biggest LEGO game ever, it turns out they meant it. Why? Because LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga truly lives up to its name, making all nine movies playable in a game for the very first time. The original LEGO Star Wars adapted the prequels, swiftly followed up by a sequel that tackled the original trilogy. Even the wildly popular Clone Wars series received some love by way of 2011’s Lego Star Wars III. The last time anything Star Wars received the LEGO treatment, however, was in 2016 by way of LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Now that’s a lot of Star Wars, but it turns out there’s plenty more to see and do.
The Skywalker Saga marks the debut of Disney’s sequel trilogy in playable LEGO form. Both The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker are presented here in a way that fans haven’t seen before. Iconic events such as the Rey’s showdown with Snoke, the return of Luke Skywalker, and the final Rey vs. Kylo Ren fight will no doubt have been adapted in a cutesy style. Plus, while you think you might already know what to expect from the prequel and original trilogies… think again! Every existing level has been thrown out and rebuilt (literally) from the ground up. The Skywalker Saga aims to be the definitive version of these iconic scenes.
Over 300+ familiar Star Wars characters to unlock and play as
Every LEGO game is known for the deluge of collectibles it encourages you to seek out and find. In other games this would come over as filler or outright annoying, but in the case of LEGO Star Wars games it’s an excuse to unlock and play as hundreds of classic characters from the franchise. Sure, you’ll unlock characters like Luke, Obi-Wan, Yoda and others naturally through play, though other, more obscure “heroes” like IG-88 and Zorii Bliss will require a bit more of a keen eye.
It used to be that Mini-Kits and Red Bricks were the main collectibles LEGO Star Wars games laid out for you. However, much like how the gameplay itself has been revamped, it’s expected that The Skywalker Saga will have rafts more collectibles that we haven’t seen before. It’s a great excuse to spend a lot more time in locations like Bespin, Endor, Crait and others in between levels. Players will have every opportunity to soak up the game’s atmosphere and great attention to detail, in part thanks to discoverable collectibles.
Feel the full power of the force with The Deluxe Edition
You might be someone who already knows that LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is for you. If so, picking up the standard edition (available on all consoles) is fine, but why not celebrate the game’s upcoming launch in style by picking up The Deluxe Edition? Available both digitally as well as on a physical disc, it comes with everything found in the base edition plus characters packs such as:
- The Mandalorian Season 1
- The Mandalorian Season 2
- Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- Classic Characters
- Solo: A Star Wars Story
- Star Wars: The Bad Batch
- Trooper Pack
The standard version of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga might feature a tonne of characters found in the main nine-movie franchise, but if you want to play as characters found outside the main saga the game’s Deluxe Edition should be your go-to choice. It’s available on PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga Deluxe Edition best deals