Oh come on now, why are you here? What's the point in me writing any of this down, it's about a LEGO game. You know you're going to like it, it's in your veins. Ever since the dawn of mankind, our DNA has been harboured to hunt, mate and slay Sticklebrick aficionados. Traveller's Tales have been using this instinct for years now, developing plastic based parodies that are as bright and addictive as Starburst cocaine. Still, it's a format that keeps many excited at the prospects of what favourite film franchise could be coated in chokeable hazards, and this time, it's the turn of LEGO Pirates Of The Caribbean.
LEGO Pirates Of The Caribbean suitably focuses on all four films in the franchise and recreates them in blocky detail, and is possibly the most true representation of a franchise to date. In some cases, cut scenes replicate the films' shot for shot with their own cheeky charm to boot. The parody is ripe throughout and is sure to tickle the funny bone of young and old alike with slapstick charm and clever wit. Traveller's Tales melds the two together very well, helpful seeing as the humour of both franchises practically go together hand in hand like they were meant for each other, albeit all the rum's gone and been replaced by tea.
Nothing much has truly changed. The simplicity of all the LEGO games that enticed kids and adults alike remains ever present throughout, and the basic platforming and puzzle solving mechanics are as enjoyable as ever. However, if feels as though there have been missed opportunities with the swashbuckling topping. Combat still only relies on bashing one button, and not a lot else. Could there not have been some form of dueling mini-game in keeping with the theme? The constant square bashing is heavily shielded by the laurels of 'If it ain't broke, don't fix it', but after so many LEGO games making the creative team 21st Century experts in platforming, it surely can't hurt to spice up the formula of combat a bit.
Your allies are equipped with different means to fight off treasure hunters, but it all relies on the same button bashing formula. Thankfully, should you be playing alone (and if you only play online, then you'll have no choice), the ally A.I. has been improved to near perfection to aid you in co-operative puzzles and dare not hinder your progress. Some slight issues kick in, however, with swapping to different members of your crew. Your party can now extend from the traditional two, but attempting to quickly swap between the cast in your roster often results in selecting the wrong character. You can halt and select from a character wheel to be more specific, but do this within mid-battle and you will die and lose some of your hard earned treasure. With infinite lives, this is only a small complaint, but slightly frustrating nonetheless.
Still ridiculously addictive, brilliantly fun and unexpectedly laugh out loud funny on occasions
Each level is littered with collectibles and treasure to unearth from demolishing the property of the innocent. Tons of hidden prizes nestling away in the oddest nooks and crannies have practically as much of a staple of the series as the light hearted parody and cutesy presentation, yet there's a stronger emphasis on treasure this time around, and rightly so. Jack Sparrow roams the levels with his trusty compass, opening up a mini-game that spans across levels in order for you to search for buried treasure...and trash. Uncovering LEGO fragments to build can lead to you gaining even more in the way of 'Studs' the game currency, or more importantly pieces of Minikits, allowing you to build several ships in bottles for a lovely decorative effect in your port.
Your port is a reflection of your success in pillaging, and acts as your main HUB throughout the films. Should scavenging through means of aesthetic pleasure not be to your tastes, the main reasons for completing quests and hoarding figurines is for gold bricks, the key to unlocking more levels, more characters and more sections of the port to explore. Everywhere you turn, you're being graciously awarded for simply playing, and once you begin unlocking things, it can become incredibly hard to stop.
It's pretty clear that Disney have shoved their influence in by their wallet with the improved graphics. Everything has been given a cinematic filter and there's a heavier emphasis on the character animations to truly outline their unique traits. Jack Sparrow's nigh on drunken flailing never fails to amuse whilst darting around levels and the slapstick animations never fail to amuse. Even the slight grunts from Sparrow and Will seem to replicate that of Depp and Bloom's eerily well. Alongside the pitch perfect soundtrack throughout the game, and you've got more of a remake than a parody.
So, although it employs basically the same tactics as every other LEGO parody under the sun, LEGO Pirates Of The Caribbean is still ridiculously addictive, brilliantly fun and unexpectedly laugh out loud funny on occasions. There are mild frustrations which kick in every so often, but in no way hinder any enjoyment and the cons that have been mentioned in so many LEGO games before hand such as poor A.I. have finally been fixed. Experts in the field of LEGO platforming will probably find this a short voyage and manage to blitz through the Gold Bricks it has to offer, but enjoyable nonetheless. Whether you'd be a fan of the films or fan of the games as a whole, this is a greater video game spin-off than any of the actual fleshy cash-ins.
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