Review | LEGO 2K Drive ‘best family racer of the year’ (PS5)

Racers, get ready!

LEGO 2K Drive is the best family racing game of the year by a long shot, bringing fresh creativity and action-packed racing to a game console near you. 

This quirky and vibrant video game takes the beloved LEGO franchise into familiar territory, modernising and fusing the charm of LEGO movies with the thrill of high-speed racing. 

Gameplay

LEGO 2K Drive takes a departure from the traditional LEGO game formula, offering a racing vibrant and exciting racing experience but also removing itself from previous LEGO hits like LEGO Star Wars.

Exciting features from games of the past, like accumulating millions of LEGO pieces, are no longer on the cards.

There’s still plenty to collect in LEGO 2K Drive but the items don’t seem to hold the same weight as studs and mini kits.

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With a plethora of game modes and features, this title provides a delightful adventure and introduction to racing games, reminiscent of the excitement found in Mario Kart and the open-world exploration of Forza Horizon.

The gameplay is a colorful and fun-filled affair, delivering engaging races, challenging jump and drift trials, as well as entertaining fetch quests, there is no shortage of activities to dive into. 

I once drove up a mountain, came face to face with two mountain lions, and allowed them to rip my car apart (for science). The world is truly alive in that aspect.

Across the map are different icons pointing the player in the direction of new races and quests.

You can activate a waypoint on the map to make navigating the world that little bit easier – perfect for those who aren’t versed in open world games.

While individual races can sometimes feel a bit chaotic and leave you guessing about power-ups, they adapt to the player’s skill set and provide an enjoyable challenge. 

Be prepared for some tough competitions along the way!

Customisation

In LEGO 2K Drive, the game’s Garage becomes your ultimate playground for customisation – it’s here you can bring your wildest vehicle fantasies to life. 

The game allows you to custom-build and design any vehicle your imagination can conjure. Whether it’s a sleek sports car, a speedy boat, or a hamburger-shaped quad bike, the possibilities are only limited by your creativity.

All bricks in the game are also available in the real world, meaning if you’ve got the pieces you could replicate your creations.

At first, the Garage may seem a bit overwhelming, but fear not! There’s a user-friendly tutorial that guides you through the process of building vehicles from scratch. Step by step, the game teaches you the art of vehicle construction, ensuring that even novice builders can get in on the action.

Developers recently confirmed to Quest Daily they’ll be adding a feature where players can share designs with each other in the near future. 

READ MORE: INTERVIEW: LEGO 2K Drive puts a new spin on customisation and brick building

Graphics and Performance 

On PS5, LEGO 2K Drive shines brightly in the graphical department. The visuals live up to what you would expect from a LEGO game, with the game world resembling a giant LEGO board that looks truly awesome. 

The attention to detail in the LEGO brick designs and environments adds to the overall immersive experience. Whether it’s racing along a life-sized garden hose or guiding an egg to a frying pan, the random details are on point. 

As for performance, LEGO 2K Drive runs smoothly, with no noticeable issues. It’s a testament to the developers’ dedication to ensuring a seamless racing experience that allows players to fully enjoy the game without any drama.

While there are no graphical settings so to speak, all players are guaranteed a smooth race with a pretty world. 

Sound

While the sound effects in LEGO 2K Drive mostly hit the mark, some aspects could use a bit more oomph. 

For instance, when breaking through objects, the sound of LEGO bricks clattering is somewhat weak, lacking the satisfying crunch one might expect. 

However, this minor setback doesn’t detract from the overall enjoyment of the game.

The overall music is great, with themed tracks blending seamlessly as you travel across different lands.

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Online Multiplayer + Splitscreen

For those looking to jump into the racing seat with a friend, there are a few ways to go about it.

You can boot up online multiplayer with friends, or play couch co-op with a two-player split screen.

If you’re playing online, a minor inconvenience is having to sign up for a 2K account and link it to the game. 

While the main story can be played together in split-screen mode, you can’t take part together online. No idea why this is the case – it just is.

Nevertheless, the multiplayer component adds an extra layer of excitement and social interaction to the game.

Do we recommend LEGO 2K Drive?

LEGO 2K Drive offers a colorful and entertaining racing adventure that caters to players of all ages. Its unique blend of LEGO charm, Mario Kart-esque races, and a wide array of features make it a perfect introduction to racing games like Forza Horizon and classics like Burnout. 

Although the prominence of in-game purchases in a full-priced game aimed at children is a letdown, the overall experience is enjoyable for the whole family. 

With its quirky LEGO world and engaging gameplay, players of all ages are sure to enjoy this game.

Quest Daily scores LEGO 2K Drive:

8/10