LEGO 2K Drive Review (P.C, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S)

The racing genre is a popular and enduring one in the gaming world. Racing games have consistently held a significant presence, attracting a wide range of players, from casual gamers to dedicated racing enthusiasts. When news hit the grapevine of an upcoming Lego-based racing game, I wasn't sure what to expect. But after playing the game for a couple of hours, one thing is for sure; it is a boatload of fun.

Welcome to Lego 2K Drive, where kart racing meets Lego blocks. The new sensation transports you to burnout paradise while letting you skillfully create your racing machine. The game is the first product of a collaboration between Lego and 2K. The latter has raked quite the reputation for riveting games, and Lego 2K Drive is no exception. So is this a game you should add to your collection? Find out below in our Lego 2K Drive review.

Hello Racing!

Any racing game's premise is to beat your opponents to the finish line. Well, Lego 2K Drive delivers this exceptionally well and wraps it up with a bow of enthralling quests and challenges. Although, clearly, the developers did not put much thought into the game's name, as bland as it may sound. But thankfully, the game is riveting, and an abundance of thrills awaits you.  

Lego 2K Drive is an adrenaline surge racing game by Visual Concepts. The game uses the premise of Lego building blocks to let you create powerful warp wheels, which are the racing title's main attraction. You can build your vehicle from scratch using the 1,000 LEGO pieces available.  The game lets you unleash your engineering prowess to birth a magnificent automobile. As bizarre as it may sound, you can race in a burger or chicken car. 

Moreover, Lego 2K Drive is reminiscent of Forza Horizon 4's: LEGO Speed Champions expansion. The idea of fusing a surreal racing game with brick cars seemed bonkers initially, but the game executes this beautifully. So if you've played the expansion before, you probably know what's in store.

The game immediately dives into its storyline, where you must overcome all odds to be the top racer. You'll face off with different rivals on the map before a final race with the evil Shadow Z, who is overly zealous of your racing skills. 

Hello BrickLandia!

The game takes place in BrickLandia, where everything, as expected, is LEGO, from the plastic inhabitants to the landmarks and scenery. Unlike Forza Horizon 4, you don't need to create this beautiful masterpiece; it's already done for you. All you need is to burn rubber while exploring the EnchantiScape.  

What's more, the courses are a delight to race on. You can cruise on the open waters or test your speed skills on off-road tracks. If this seems like a steep climb, worry not; the paved streets will help you get your training wheels off. 

BrickLandia is sectioned into different regions, each bearing a distinct characteristic. Your journey to seizing the coveted Sky Trophy begins in these regions. You'll also encounter rival racers with a similar thirst for the trophy. Thankfully, you'll have the seasoned racer Clutch Racington guiding you through the artistry of velocity to become a speed-demon maestro.

The first region, Turbo Acres, gets you acquainted with the nimble maneuvering of your vehicle. You'll also meet Chuck's robot companion, S.T.U.D. (Super Terrific Utility Drone), who'll also propel you toward the pinnacle of automotive greatness in Bricklandia.

As you progress, the regions become more challenging, which calls for prowess in handling your vehicle. Drift across the sharp bends and don't worry about crashing into the cactuses-they rebuild themselves. However, look out for bystanders marveling at the picturesque environment.

The best part is that you don't have to worry about running out of gas. Just push the pedal and unleash the thunder that leaves a cloud of dust behind you. In Prospecto Valley, a horde of treasure awaits you. Aside from the serene stretch of rolling hills, lakes, and beaches, you can zip across the aqueous arteries and leave a wake of liquid applause behind you. 

Hello Awesome Creations!

Remember the incessant song “Everything is Awesome” from the Lego movie? Well, we gladly don't have to listen to the soundtrack in Lego 2K Drive, but the game reminds us that every element in it is awesome. Never mind the beautiful scenery; what stands out for me is being able to create and customize your vehicle. 

As the kitchen is the avenue for cooking sumptuous meals in culinary games, so is the garage in this game. This is where you'll create and modify your vehicle to be a sleek, speed-hungry marvel. What's more, you'll get help from Bricklandia's top-tier mechanic, Sunny Monkey, who brings your vision to life. Access to the building bricks is from the Brick Draw Menu, where you can choose from the hundreds of bricks sorted by category and type. While you may be tempted to create a magnanimous vehicle, the game limits you to the number of bricks and additional bits you can use. You don't want to be another obstacle on the course. 

Moreover, it's ideal to put thought into your creation. While adding bricks adds stats to your vehicle, it also makes it heavier. The vehicle varies in weight classes from super light to gargantuan, each with its fair share of perks and drawbacks. To add a touch of personality to your car, the game offers a ton of customization options, from brick shapes to sleek paint jobs and stickers. Customization happens in the Garage's showroom, and it is also where you can revel in the splendor of your ever-growing assortment of creations. 

Let's Drive!

Now that you have built your “Tour du Force”, it's time to test it on the tracks. The game takes miniature realism to new heights with drift abilities and nitro power boosts. The gameplay adopts a pick-and-go model where you don't need to spend countless hours mastering the mechanics of your vehicle. For instance, to perform a drift, you only need to hold down the throttle and brake through the entire drift. If you prefer an automated drift, you can switch to the tap-to-drift mode, but from experience, this is fairly less predictable. 

Things get a bit complicated when your vehicle goes soaring in the sky. You'll need to master the midair controls after a nitro boost or rocket jump. If not, your vehicle will end up crashing hard on the ground, and you'll lose bricks. What's impressive is the fusion of physics and mechanics, which shifts the vehicle's weight after a collision. If you don't want to lose your precious bits, it's ideal to master the controls first. Thankfully, the game provides a comprehensive tutorial to get you started. 

On to the tracks now. 2K Drive uses adaptive difficulty to infuse an extra dash of ardor. This means your competitors adapt to your level of prowess in real-time. Although it may seem unfair, a loophole exists to outcompete the AI racers. For instance, the track design features shortcuts and environmental hazards you can use to get a head start. 

A rather remarkable feature is the vehicle's ability to transform into various modes depending on the terrain. For example, if you encounter a body of water, you can instantly change your car into a boat. This is akin to Sonic & Sega All-Stars Transformed. 

What about Gameplay?

In a nutshell, you play the racing game from a third-person perspective. 2K Drive supports cooperative and competitive multiplayer modes. Moreover, it also supports a two-player split screen, and you can race with up to five of your friends online. 

There are numerous challenges, quests, and story missions to engage in. The challenges are fun, with a wee bit of whimsical nature. For instance, a challenge may read “crash into a wall in less than three seconds” or “don't touch water: One thing is for certain, the game places heavy emphasis on its non-racing quests, which most definitely appeal to a younger generation. 

Verdict

Lego 2K Drive is a complete overflow of rich tapestries when it comes to content. Fans of the Lego franchise will gush over the masterful creations and courses reminiscent of the toy structures. However, a rather nagging feature is the overwhelming use of microtransactions. Players may have to spend top dollar to access more bricks to create powerful cars. You'll need secondary currency to purchase credits for more customization options. In retrospect, this takes away the fun when microtransactions come into place, and the rewards you get in the game are not substantial enough to get you what you want.

Notwithstanding, the game delivers absolute creative freedom, just like its building blocks. If you're looking to take the path down memory lane, Lego 2K Drive exceedingly does so in a fun and humorous way. 

So, what are your thoughts? Will you be picking up a copy of the Lego 2K Drive? What game features stand out for you the most? Let us know on our social here or in the comments below.