The Star Wars series, during its cinematic debut in 1977, became a massive hit and attracted thousands of fans. This saga has left a significant mark on pop culture, inspiring comics, games, toys, and collectible items, such as the dedicated LEGO Star Wars sets, whose number currently approaches… almost 900!
In 2005, the fusion of the Star Wars and LEGO worlds reached a new level – the first LEGO Star Wars video game was created. It was designed with younger players in mind, but also was well-received by adults. So, how does the series look now? What characterizes each part, and is it worth playing? Let’s find out together!
Lego Star Wars: The Video Game
| Release date: | 2005-03-29 |
| Developer: | Traveller's Tales |
The first gaming installment of LEGO Star Wars opened the series and paved the way for subsequent parts. It is a relatively simple, humorous game that combines action and platform elements. It was designed to allow players to enjoy solo play or co-op with others.
In this title, players have the opportunity to follow events from the prequel trilogy of Star Wars, covering the films: The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith. Players can embody iconic characters like Obi-Wan, Qui-Gon Jinn, Anakin Skywalker or Master Yoda to explore the world and carry out various missions related to the films’ storyline.
The game’s world, made of LEGO blocks for obvious reasons, allows players to collect bricks by exploring the environment and defeating enemies. Those LEGO pieces can be later used to upgrade characters.
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Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
| Release date: | 2006-09-11 |
| Developer: | Traveller's Tales |
After the success of the first game, TT Games decided to release a second installment, this time based on the original Star Wars trilogy from the late ’70s and ’80s. Like its predecessor, this game offers relatively simple gameplay targeted at younger audiences, closely following the events of the films: A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi. Interestingly, this part was released under the LucasArts label.
In this game, similar to the previous one, players can take on the roles of various characters (including Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, or R2D2). However, a new feature is the ability to create a customized LEGO character. The game also allows players to transfer save files from the first game, incorporating dozens of prequel characters into Lego Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy.
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Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga
| Release date: | 2009-11-12 |
| Developer: | Traveller's Tales |
The first two parts of the LEGO Star Wars saga were massive commercial successes, appealing to both younger and older gamers. With the release of a new generation of consoles, a complete game combining both parts was created.
Mechanically and narratively, nothing has changed. Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga features events from the first six Star Wars films arranged in chronological order. Players can still embody various characters from the films in this title.
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Lego Star Wars III: The Clone Wars
| Release date: | 2011-03-22 |
| Developer: | Traveller's Tales |
Fans had to wait four years for the next installment in the LEGO Star Wars series. Part III, like the previous ones, revolves around the characters of the Star Wars saga, but this time, the story is based on the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Just like in the previous games, players can embody various characters from the SW universe and explore the LEGO world, solving puzzles, assisting NPCs, defeating enemies, and building new tools and machines from collected LEGO bricks. Additionally, players can pilot spaceships and take part in missions and battles set on different planets.
This installment boasts significantly improved graphics compared to its predecessors. Similarly, players can enjoy solo gameplay or cooperate with friends.
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Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens
| Release date: | 2016-06-27 |
| Developer: | TT Fusion |
The fourth installment in the LEGO Star Wars series is based on the seventh part of the Star Wars film saga, bearing the same title. The game’s storyline mostly follows events from the film but includes additional side stories that fill the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. Unlike the previous parts, this game was published by Warner Bros.
Just like in the film, entirely new characters appear, such as the scavenger Rey, former stormtrooper Finn, or Resistance pilot Poe Dameron, alongside classic saga characters. Players traverse the LEGO world, complete various tasks, fight enemies, and solve logical puzzles, requiring creativity and ingenuity. The game introduces the concept of “multi-builds” where players can choose between different ways to construct certain objects in the game.
Changes and enhancements include blaster combat using a cover system and improved spaceship controls, enabling players to fly through designated arenas.
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Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga
| Release date: | 2022-04-05 |
| Developer: | Traveller's Tales |
The latest and final installment in the LEGO Star Wars series, The Skywalker Saga, is based on all nine films of the Star Wars series. It serves as a culmination and summary of the entire series (both games and films). Like the previous game, this title was released by Warner Bros.
The gameplay mechanics do not significantly differ from the formula established by the previous LEGO Star Wars games. The game offers a colorful, visually pleasing, adventure-action experience, allowing players to control characters known from the films, complete various tasks, fight enemies, and solve logical puzzles that require creativity and resourcefulness.
Significant changes include the ability to freely fly spacecraft and explore different planets. The gameplay is well-balanced and provides a seamless experience for both younger and older fans of the series.
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Summary
So far, TT Games, together with LucasArts and Warner Bros., has created five consecutive installments of the series (and one bundle). Will there be more? We don’t know, but it’s likely, considering the ongoing success and popularity of the new Star Wars series and the enduring appeal of the LEGO SW games among players. We, for one, eagerly await more!