Usually Lego steps into the world of video games – however the pendulum has swung again the opposite approach with Overwatch, and the result’s a top quality set that leaves one looking forward to extra.
When I used to be a child, I had two major obsessions: video games and Lego. The two have by no means actually been all that far aside: I’ve fond reminiscences of the wonderful Lego Island sandbox game, and as soon as Lego partnered up with Traveller’s Tales it actually discovered its gaming groove – however even then I used to be very stunned to see formally licensed Overwatch Lego hit retailer cabinets. Plus, right here’s the factor: these units are completely superior.
Now, I do know, a few of you is likely to be shaking your head. I do know I’m a grown man, however what’s the purpose in being a grown-up with disposable earnings if to not go in more durable than ever earlier than on the belongings you liked as a child? I’ve been taking place that path right here and there with Lego, and to see an precise video game franchise changed into correct Lego units is thrilling. So, yeah – in fact I wished to take a look at the Overwatch units.
In a approach Overwatch is the right match for Lego. Founded within the wake of the primary world warfare and within the build-up to the second, the corporate has all the time been iffy on the idea of that includes franchises with extra real looking depictions of violence, which is presumably why issues like Halo and even bizarrely Call of Duty ended up with Mega Bloks units. Overwatch suits into that very same kind of zone as one thing like Harry Potter or DC Super Heroes nevertheless: pushed by battle, however enjoyable and colourful. In the nineties, Overwatch certainly would’ve been the topic of a Saturday morning cartoon.
The preliminary vary of Lego Overwatch units is six sturdy, although hopefully it’ll broaden sooner or later. It ranges from the $15/£13 vary proper as much as $90/£80, that includes a spread of heroes and acquainted set-pieces. There’s a Lego payload that comes with Tracer and Widowmaker, as an illustration, however there’s additionally detailed Lego variations of bigger heroes like Bastion, D.Va and Reinhardt. The most costly set is a recreation of a piece of the Watchpoint: Gibraltar map.
The greatest and most nice shock isn’t simply the introduction of those units, nevertheless – it’s how beautiful every is. I’ve constructed a few them now – the most affordable payload-based set and the mid-range D.va and Reinhardt set – and the standard of every construct is absolutely fairly one thing. This is the kind of set that Lego may’ve simply phoned in, realizing that followers and collectors would choose these up anyway – however as a substitute these are intricate, enjoyable builds that find yourself trying surprisingly screen-accurate.
One of the issues I’ve been most impressed by is how play-friendly these are. Overwatch is an action-based sequence, in spite of everything – and the D.va and Reinhardt mech and armor builds each include moveable joints for articulation, permitting you to pose the figures. D.va’s mech even has precise Lego stud-shooting weapons. Both are in all probability a little bit outsized in comparison with their in-game counterparts, but it surely’s good that the mini figures of every hero naturally sit inside simply as within the game.
For nerds like me the builds make use of ratcheted joints and the like to permit stability if you wish to set a pose and pop them up on a shelf to show. It’s cool stuff, and makes these fairly useful as each toys and neat Overwatch collectibles. I really like dumb trinkets for my workplace, however I’d actually fairly have extra of those than a 300 quid statue that’s over a foot tall, hyper-detailed although they’re.
Like the very first time I laid eyes on a Lego Star Wars set at ten years of age, seeing Lego Overwatch additionally simply units the thoughts on a runaway prepare of thought, itemizing out dream pairings for the constructing toys and video games. We already had Lego Minecraft, in fact, however that match was so apparent that it dulled the importance. Overwatch is one thing else. Gaming figures and collectables are, in fact, large enterprise, and as Lego conquers many of the film area value bothering with, one can’t assist however ponder the place else this may lead.
More Overwatch units can be good, sure, however different sequence’ shortly come to thoughts. Peach’s Castle can be cool. Portal made an look in Lego Dimensions, and an actual world take a look at chamber set has numerous potential. Top of the listing for me can be a Lego Zelda set, clearly, and VG247 already reported on a fan-made Lego Sonic the Hedgehog set vying for the corporate’s consideration on their official submit-a-design web site. I’m certain you’ve one in thoughts, too. Here’s hoping that is the beginning of the good Lego and video games cross-over going again within the different course – the place gaming’s finest characters invade the world of plastic bricks in the actual world. If nothing else, it’d give me an excuse to begin reviewing Lego.
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