Unfortunately, LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has been hit by another delay. The title, which was first scheduled to hit consoles and computers across the globe in 2020, still needs some work from the team over at TT Games in order to live up to expectations. And, given how glossy and enjoyable the first teaser trailer was, it would be no understatement to say hype and excitement for the game is gathering momentum with each passing day.
While fans won't be able to play through all nine of the Skywalker saga movies in glorious LEGO form just yet, the studio has released five games over the years set in a galaxy far, far away. But which one is the best, according to GameSpot reviews?
LEGO Star Wars III: The Clone Wars (6.5/10)
George Lucas didn't deem the Clone Wars exciting enough to include in his Star Wars prequel trilogy, despite the foundations for the grand battle actually being planted in 1977's A New Hope. However, Lucasfilm did release The Clone Wars TV show back in 2008 to fill in some of the blanks regarding the friendship of Anakin Skywalker and Obi-Wan Kenobi, bringing back some iconic characters such as Darth Maul and Grand Moff Tarkin while also introducing new characters such as Ahsoka Tano and Bo Katan — who have become pretty special in the years since.
With both the 2003 animated movie and the TV show doing well, LEGO then got in on the act with their take on the battles, released in 2011. And GameSpot scored it a respectable 6.5 in their review, seeing it fall into the "fair" category as a result.
The "bold artistic design" and "drop in/drop out" system are both hailed. However, there are several grievances that prevent the game from scoring higher. It's called out for its "few clear objectives and awful visual feedback," while continuous fights are labeled as "exhausting" and space battles dubbed "way too confining." Thus, it's the wooden spoon for this game.
LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens (7/10)
After a 10-year hiatus, Star Wars was back with a bang in 2015 with The Force Awakens hitting theatres across the globe. It was the biggest box office event of that year, absolutely trouncing the competition. The first film of the sequel trilogy welcomed back loveable characters such as Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and Princess Leia while also introducing the likes of Rey, Finn, and Kylo Ren.
The following year, LEGO Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released. Containing 11 chapters, and six bonus missions, there was certainly no shortage of things to do. Players were also able to jet around the galaxy at their leisure, visiting spectacular planets such as Jakku, Takodana, and Starkiller Base while following the same path as the original story.
GameSpot gives it praise for its humor, use of world, and kid-friendly gameplay. However, the game is hindered by its lack of originality and the fact the bonus missions can take considerable time to unlock. All in all, it's a fun, albeit slightly forgettable adventure.
LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga (7.5/10)
Taking home the bronze medal is LEGO Star Wars: The Complete Saga. Its name is rather outdated given that, in the years since it released in 2007, there has been a whole new trilogy of movies set in George Lucas' wonderful world. But it was revolutionary at the time and for die-hard fans, was one of the essential purchases of that year.
Players are allowed to go through the events of the prequels, overseeing Anakin Skywalker's dramatic transformation into Darth Vader, before then helping the Rebel Alliance destroy the loathsome Imperial Empire. But while it's definitely good fun and full of replay value, it's still hamstrung by several minor issues.
GameSpot calls the game out for its lack of originality, with almost all of the content being recycled by previous LEGO Star Wars games. On the other hand, it also earns plaudits for its shiny graphics, variety of gameplay, and willingness to introduce online play. The game has definitely aged well over the years and Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga will hopefully build on this and take the series to the next level.
LEGO Star Wars: Episodes 1-3 (7.6)
The year 2005 was a belter for Star Wars fans. There was the release of Revenge of the Sith in cinemas, with that movie bringing the story of Anakin Skywalker's transformation to a satisfying and action-packed ending. Star Wars: Battlefront 2 also released, giving fans a chance to play as their favorite characters on a variety of different maps from the franchise. And, to top things off, LEGO made its first serious venture into the video game industry by making LEGO Star Wars: Episodes 1-3.
The gamble certainly paid off. Fans were able to navigate their way through various challenges from The Phantom Menace, Attack of the Clones, and Revenge of the Sith, with ZDNet claiming it was the 10th best-selling game of that year. When you consider the competition, that's quite the achievement.
GameSpot praises the game's charm, fun twists, visuals, and audio. It falls short on two fronts, however. The title is accused of being too short, which is fair enough given there are only three movies to get through. The game is also criticized for containing Episode 3 spoilers galore, meaning it's probably best to wait until seeing the film before getting your own chance to wield a lightsaber and go on the attack.
Lego Star Wars: Episodes 4-6 (7.7)
Taking home the gold medal, albeit just about, is Lego Star Wars: Episodes 4-6. It shouldn't be surprising this is the case, really, when you consider the immense popularity of the original trilogy. And, for many Star Wars devotees, this was very much the game they'd been looking for.
Allowing players to work their way through A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi, it's a roaring ride. While it would later be rehashed for Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, it's well worth playing as a standalone title. After all, who can say no to the chance to be Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine, Luke Skywalker, or other iconic individuals?
The fact it's more challenging, contains "seamless" co-op play, has harder levels than its predecessor and a plethora of unlockable content ultimately sees it come top of the shop. The only negatives, according to GameSpot, are its lack of online features and bad camera. Whether the next entry in the LEGO Star Wars series is able to score even higher is something only time will tell...