In the first of our “All About Video Games” series where we will be looking at a particular video game franchise, we are focusing on the Lego video games. Although there are other types, the main Lego video game titles are platform games. Players progress through the game by solving puzzles to reach particular platforms, jumping across gaps and fighting bad guys. As they do this they can unlock new Lego characters, locations and play modes. Some of the older Lego video games were PEGI 3 rated, but the majority of more recent titles are PEGI 7. Mature themes are helped by the fact they are made to look like Lego bricks. When characters die for instance, they fall apart and cry out but don’t bleed. Soon afterwards they re-appear and the player can carry on. As these games progress the complexity of the puzzles and difficulty of the fighting and exploration does increase. My seven year old daughter, for example, found that she needed some assistance with some of the puzzles in Lego Batman 2 for instance.
More advanced players will be able to complete the main story mode of these games in a few days. However, they offer longevity by the fact that unlocking characters on the initial play through enables you to access new areas on subsequent plays. This means that keen players will play through the game a number of times. It also means that younger players can get frustrated trying to reach particular levels before they have the appropriate character — something parents should bear in mind when called in to help. The Lego video games generally use a checkpoint save system that means you need to reach a certain point in the game to save your progress. This can make it difficult to get younger players to stop for mealtimes and the like. However it should be remembered that the game can be paused to take breaks and there is usually no more than 20 minutes between save points. Additionally, the sleep feature on handheld consoles like the DS and PSP enable players to pause the action until the next time it is needed — even if that is in a few day’s time.
One of the more popular aspects of the Lego platform games is that they can be played co-operatively. Two people can work together simultaneously to progress through the main adventure. The console versions of the games (Wii, Xbox, PS3) offer this mode on a single system. Each player connects a controller and works together to solve the puzzles and beat the bad guys. It’s a great way for family players of different abilities to play together. The handheld versions of the games (DS, 3DS, PSP, PS Vita) offer this mode with a link up system. This means that you need two handhelds (and usually two copies of the game). It enables players to work together as described above for the console game. Additionally, because the systems are connected wirelessly the players don’t need to be in the same room to play together — something that adds a little novelty for younger players. The exact offering of multi-player modes in the Lego games varies through the different editions. Here is an overview of what each game offers on both handheld and console versions:
As you can see from the list, some of the handheld versions offer a “multi-cart” multi-player. This means that for two people to play together you need two copies of the game and two handheld systems. The other handheld multi-player mode is “single-cart” which enables two people to play together with one copy of the game that is downloaded from one handheld system to the other. The Lego video games are usually based around different Lego film franchises and follow the stories of the related movies. This means that they also relate to (and draw on the designs from) the physical Lego sets that are also developed. The games use these Lego sets and mini-figures to retell the related movie story in a comical, tongue in cheek fashion. This can be a little over the heads of younger players, but should appeal to parents who will appreciate the “in” jokes and film references. Some Lego games such as the Harry Potter and Star Wars game split the franchise up into separate video games.
This enables the game to spend longer on each element, but does mean you need to buy two or three games to experience the complete story. Other Lego games such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Star Wars The Complete Saga contain the whole film series in a single game. This offers better value for money as only one game needs to be purchased. Lego video games are a great place to dip your family gaming toes into the world of platform games. They also offer a way for beginner and expert players to enjoy a game together. The split screen multi-player mode is particularly good in this respect as both people can explore at their own pace.We have detected a history of abnormal traffic from your network so we ask that you please complete the following form to confirm that you are not a robot and are indeed a real person. Most of this time this happens if there has been a lot of malicious bot activity from your current internet provider's network or you are using a VPN. It likely has nothing to do with you.
We're really sorry for the hassle.Gaming on the Mac can be a rewarding experience, but there aren’t a great deal of Mac game controllers available. Plus, if you’re already used to a Sony DualShock PlayStation controller, using something different can be a confusing experience. We’ve already pointed out a method for using your existing PlayStation 3 controller with your Mac – but what about the new PlayStation 4 DualShock 4 controller? The good news is that the DualShock 4 also includes baked-in support for both Mac and PC gaming – and it’s a bit easier to set up than the PlayStation 3 controller (although it works with fewer games). Here’s how to get it set up and working over both USB and Bluetooth on your Mac! We tested this on OS X Mavericks, and found it is compatible with a fair number of games. The easiest and most hassle-free way to use the DualShock 4 with your Mac is to simply plug in using a MicroUSB cable. The DS4 automatically works as a joystick in most Mac games over USB.
This method requires no setup. It’s also possible to set up the controller via Bluetooth – although it uses a different method than pairing a PlayStation 3 controller. Here are your full instructions, via Reddit (thanks to Patrick McCarron for the link!) Note: Don’t forget to turn off the controller after your gaming session by holding down the Playstation button till the light bar shuts off. While we have yet to find an official list of supported games, we’ve tested this using Steam’s Big Picture mode, and found it to work flawlessly. It also worked in Tomb Raider: Underworld via USB (but not via Bluetooth), GangStar: Miami Vindication via USB (but not via Bluetooth), and Borderlands 2 over both USB and Bluetooth. Overall, current compatibility is far better over USB at the moment. Steam’s Big Picture mode support both USB and Bluetooth modes flawlessly. The DualShock 4 isn’t technically set for release until November 15 – but U.S. users can pick one up online (or via in-store pickup) today via GameStop ($59.99, direct link).
– $59.96, with free 2-day shipping for Amazon Prime members! Remember – you can also use a DualShock 3 PS3 controller to play games on your Mac, which is supported by almost all Mac games! We also expect DualShock 4 compatibility to improve significantly over time. UPDATE (12/16/2013): According to a tip received from MacTrast reader Tom Crown, backed up by a statement from Feral Games, you can now add DualShock 4 support to any and all of Feral’s official Mac games! From the official email from Feral Games: In order to use your Official Sony PS4 DualShock 4 controller, please follow the below steps: Find your copy of your Feral Interactive game (usually in the Applications folder). Right click (or ctrl click) and click “Show Package Contents” from the dropdown menu Open the “Contents” folder, then the “Resources” folder and finally “Input Devices”. Drag the attached PS4Dualshock.plist file into the folder (you will be asked to Authenticate using your username and password, please do so).