
Lego Horizon Adventures: Bringing the Post-Apocalyptic World to Family-Friendly Gaming
In a surprising move, the Horizon franchise, known for its gritty and mature themes, is set to receive a Lego-themed adaptation aimed at a younger audience. Developers have faced the challenge of preserving the essence of the original games while ensuring the content is suitable for children. This article delves into the creative process behind Lego Horizon Adventures, exploring how the team has navigated the balance between staying true to the Horizon universe and making it accessible for a family-friendly experience.Unlocking the Horizon: Crafting a Kid-Friendly Adventure
Preserving the Narrative Essence
The Horizon games have always been praised for their captivating storytelling, set in a post-apocalyptic world. Narrative director James Windeler acknowledges the need to strike a balance between maintaining the core narrative elements and making them suitable for a younger audience. "We have tried to keep as much of the story as possible," Windeler explains. "A lot of what happens in the world, like the destruction of the old world, is a pretty heavy theme for an eight-year-old. So we needed to find ways to keep that present in the story, because it is essential to Horizon. But it is also not something we leaned on."The team has carefully curated the narrative, ensuring that the devastating revelations and mature themes from the original games are toned down or omitted altogether. Windeler assures that players won't encounter the same level of intensity, such as "those corporate masterminds dead around the table or anything like that." By selectively adapting the story, the developers aim to preserve the essence of the Horizon universe while making it more palatable for a family-friendly experience.Maintaining the Horizon Essence
Despite the tonal shift, the developers have made a concerted effort to ensure that Lego Horizon Adventures still feels like a true Horizon game. Windeler emphasizes, "We have definitely bent the rules a lot. But the characters remain core to who they are. I think we've found a really good balance with it."The return of beloved characters, such as Aloy voiced by Ashley Burch and Rost voiced by JB Blanc, has been a crucial element in maintaining the Horizon identity. "You would have heard the exuberance to their performances. It is different to what the other games are, but they're still recognisable. They're part of it and they bought into it, and that's been a huge boon to us," Windeler explains.By retaining the core characters and their distinct personalities, the Lego adaptation aims to provide a familiar and engaging experience for fans of the Horizon franchise, while also introducing the world to a new generation of players.Expanding the Horizon Reach
Lego Horizon Adventures is not just a PlayStation exclusive, as one might expect from a first-party title. The game is set to release on a wider range of platforms, including PC and the Nintendo Switch. This strategic decision opens up the Horizon universe to a broader audience, allowing more players to experience the post-apocalyptic world in a Lego-infused format.The cross-platform availability of Lego Horizon Adventures signifies a conscious effort by the developers to make the game accessible to a diverse range of players. By embracing platforms beyond the PlayStation ecosystem, the team is ensuring that the Horizon franchise can reach new heights and captivate a wider demographic, including families and casual gamers who may not have previously engaged with the series.Embracing the Lego Charm
The Lego games have long been known for their charming and lighthearted approach to beloved franchises. Lego Horizon Adventures aims to leverage this signature Lego style to create a unique and engaging experience for players. The Lego aesthetic, with its iconic brick-built characters and environments, is expected to bring a fresh and playful twist to the Horizon universe.The developers have acknowledged the need to "bend the rules a lot" to accommodate the Lego format, but they have also emphasized the importance of maintaining the core essence of the Horizon franchise. By striking a balance between the Lego charm and the Horizon identity, the team hopes to deliver a gaming experience that will captivate both longtime Horizon fans and newcomers to the series.Embracing the Lego Charm
The Lego games have long been known for their charming and lighthearted approach to beloved franchises. Lego Horizon Adventures aims to leverage this signature Lego style to create a unique and engaging experience for players. The Lego aesthetic, with its iconic brick-built characters and environments, is expected to bring a fresh and playful twist to the Horizon universe.The developers have acknowledged the need to "bend the rules a lot" to accommodate the Lego format, but they have also emphasized the importance of maintaining the core essence of the Horizon franchise. By striking a balance between the Lego charm and the Horizon identity, the team hopes to deliver a gaming experience that will captivate both longtime Horizon fans and newcomers to the series.New

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