PSLS • • • • • • I like Scooby Doo — it’s one of the repetitive shows that still manages to stay funny, entertaining, and memorable. That’s why when I got to try out the Scooby Doo world in LEGO Dimensions at PAX Prime 2015, I was pretty excited.LEGO Dimensions, as you probably read about in Chandler’s E3 2015 preview of it, has players using real-life LEGO pieces with an interactive toy pad, which supports up to seven LEGO pieces on it at a time, whether it be vehicles or characters. Each thing placed on the toy pad comes to life in the game, and the toy pad can be used to solve puzzles and complete certain tasks, as Chandler’s preview also pointed out.So, in particular, I want to focus on the Scooby Doo world, and just how great it is. Unlike other worlds, everything in this world features cel-shading, giving it the look, one of the developers explained to me, of an old cartoon. And it really did look like a cartoon, or at least as close to a cartoon that a 3D LEGO game can get.
Besides the visuals, the voice acting also was a throwback to the cartoons, which is probably because some of the voice actors are the same. During cut-scenes, the characters all behave like classic Scooby Doo characters, with Daphne being courageous, Velma being brainy, Scooby and Shaggy being goofs, and Fred being a tool. Outside of the cut-scenes, the characters actually still manage to behave like they do in the cartoons, partly because of their goofy side-comments, and partly because of their actions.For example, Scooby has the power to sneak by certain things, like cameras. Instead of crouching low or slinking along the floor, he does what he always does in the cartoon — dress up as something ridiculous so that bad guys will just walk right one by. In the game, he dresses up as a woman with a big, pink parasol. It’s goofy and it’s great.In the level I played, the various characters (Scooby, Gandalf, Batman, and Wyldstyle) had to go into a haunted house. It was interesting to see the vastly different characters from vastly different places interact.
Of course, that’s probably the main appeal of the game — melding a number of different worlds into one.And if all of the worlds are as cleverly created and as entertaining as the Scooby Doo one, then I think LEGO Dimensions will absolutely be worth getting when it releases in September.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.Let friends in your social network know what you are reading aboutTwitterGoogle+LinkedInPinterestPosted!A link has been posted to your Facebook feed. CelebritiesFashionMoviesMusicTVExclusive: Check out new 'LEGO Batman Movie' trailer, toysCLOSExEmbedFor those who can’t deal with the darkness of the live-action Batfleck and need a goofier superhero to root for, we give you the new trailer for The LEGO Batman Movie (in theaters Feb. 10), a spinoff of animated hit The LEGO Movie.
Will Arnett reprises his role as a self-assuredly over-the-top Dark Knight who has to learn how to be less of a solo hero and work with a family.As that Jack Nicholson line goes from the 1989 Batman flick, “Where does he get those wonderful toys?” Well, you can actually bring him some of the coolness from that footage courtesy of some new LEGO building-block sets. We’ve got the exclusive reveal on two of them:“The Joker Balloon Escape” set (124 pieces, $14.99) features minifigures of Batman (duh) and the Joker (voiced by Zach Galifianakis in the movie), a hot air balloon contraption for the Clown Prince of Crime, and a explosive device just primed to do some damage. (The Joker is also very sad to learn that Superman is Bats' new arch enemy. "I like to fight around," Batman tells him.)And “The Scuttler” (775 pieces, $79.99) stars a shiny, fresh Bat-vehicle with tall bat ears and cool robotic-looking limbs. Plus the set is packed with minifigures including Bats himself with a sweet jetpack, Joker, Poison Ivy, Commissioner Gordon, Barbara Gordon and Robin.Both arrive Jan. 1, but if you can’t wait that long, four other LEGO Batman Movie tie-in sets launch Nov. 27 including an awesome Batmobile (dubbed “The Speedwagon") and the Joker’s purple-and-green lowrider he drives with Harley Quinn.Last SlideNext Slide
The world’s largest LEGO Store opens in Leicester Square, London today – but what can fans expect from this new flagship shop? Brick Fanatics took a peek inside to find out… After months of build-up and anticipation a special date was set, to be added to LEGO fans’ calendars. On November 17, 2016, the LEGO Group would be unveiling the biggest retail store to date, right in the centre of London. Very little information has been released over the year, but more recently the LEGO Group revealed that the store would have its own mascot – the quintessential British gentleman minifigure, Lester. We also knew that it would be spread over two floors, but everything else that trickled through the press was closely guarded. Select LEGO fans/websites/AFOL groups were given an opportunity to visit for a preview opening experience. As the attending fans were ushered through a hidden slot in the canvassed exterior – protecting the inside from prying eyes until the official opening – each ticket holder was loudly cheered upon entry by excitable LEGO store employees and fellow AFOLs.
It certainly made for a celebratory start to the occasion. Expectations were high for this new LEGO Store. Alongside Brick Fanatics, around 100 of the UK’s most hardcore LEGO fans were present including AFOLs from LUGs such as the Brickish Association. Glenn Abell, Vice President of Direct to Consumer, gave a short but warm welcome followed by Kim Ellekjær Thomsen, Community Manager. The first thing that strikes you when walking through the door is just how much effort went into making the store London-themed. This Leicester Square store fits in perfectly with its local neighbours including M&M’s World and the Nickelodeon Store, giving tourists plenty of reason to visit this LEGO store specifically. You enter through a recreated Leicester Square Underground archway and are spoiled for things to look at. On the far left is a huge Underground tube train made of bricks and carrying some very British, large scale, minifigure passengers such as the Queen and William Shakespeare.
On the right of the store you notice the gigantic Elizabeth II Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, which is a marvel to behold. It reaches right up to the second floor and chimes every hour like any good clock should. Upstairs you will find even more models including a full-sized British telephone box which you can stand in, a monocled/bowler hat-wearing Brickley the dragon, and a stunning 3D wall mosaic of London which was one of the most impressive interior builds. Everywhere you look, you’ll spot something interesting to appreciate which is a credit to the store layout designers. Many people will want to visit the store because it is the biggest LEGO store in the world and themed accordingly. However, those simply wanting to do some shopping will not be disappointed either. The usual clean and sleek display cabinets were on show throughout the store with all sets from current ranges available for purchase. Of perhaps greater interest for some, will be the select exclusives only currently available from this particular store.
The brand new 21034 London Skyline set for the Architecture range was on display with the set designer Rok Žgalin Kobe on hand to celebrate the new store opening. The set is available exclusively at the LEGO Store, London, ahead of its wide release. Fellow designer Jamie Berard was also on hand to join in the revelry, as of course 10253 Big Ben is a suitable set to purchase from this location. You can also purchase the London Bus set that was recently given away as a freebie promotion, and the usual multitude of pocket-money exclusives only found in LEGO stores. In fact, the main notable absence was the option to purchase a Lester minifigure – the store is offering a scratchcard to give fans the chance to win the character, with a certain spend on products. The store is littered with interactive elements from the usual minifigure creation stations and free-build areas to great photographic opportunities. A few new surprises include the passport station which allows you to get a LEGO passport stamped whenever you visit a new LEGO store, an interactive touch screen device for browsing the store’s inventory of stock and a very cool mosaic maker.