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It's strange reviewing a Lego game that isn't based on a super-hero or action movie franchise. So when I was sent Lego Battles: Ninjago for the DSi, I wasn't sure where to start. First off, it's not an Xbox game, so I had to find a DSi. This was easy as there are three of them lying around the house somewhere. After jacking one from the ten year old, I popped in the game. The first thing I noticed is that Lego Battles: Ninjago is unlike any other Lego game I've played to date. It's based on the toy series of the same name, and is an RTS (real time strategy game) following up the 2009 Lego Battles, which I did not play. Whereas in that game the adventure took place among the Lego Pirates, Lego Castle and Lego Space construction workers, Ninjago is all about the Ninja. The game gets all good and evil on you, so that's nice at least.
It's a pretty basic story, and at least the campaign is long enough to "cover" it all. I put that in quotes, because there isn't too much explanation about what is going on most of the time. You play as either Sensei Wu's team or Lord Garmadon's team, brothers who are both searching for the same set of shiny weapons left scattered across the map by their late father. As Wu, you'll wander around the game, searching for warriors of Spinjitzu (spinning is the actionable point of the action figures) to assist you in protecting the cool shiny weapons. Meanwhile, the Skulkin (Lord Garamadon's fellers) are pretty much doing the same thing, except they need to revive Lord Gramadon. Or something like that. It's an RTS. Walk around. Collect items. Unlock more items. Do pointless tasks for strangers. Recruit warriors. Build house and forts and what not, and so on. You get the point.
The problem with the lack of explanation shows up when there are complex solutions to a problem without so much as a hint or history to the solution. For instance, there were times when you had to defeat an enemy, but in doing so you have to build something first, actually - many somethings. There is nothing that implies that you have to do anything besides run. The upgrades are another situation all together. Nothing makes sense when it comes to upgrades; everything is symbol-based and makes it difficult, besides through trial and error, to figure out exactly what the hell you are upgrading. I'm thinking that some of it must be tied to the action figure game for sure. This confusion is one of the reasons that no one in the house got through the entire game. I'm pretty sure it could have been done much cleaner, and without as many "huh?" moments.
Speaking about things being much clearer, what was the developer thinking when they laid out the control scheme? While the Ninjago toys are literally as simple as spinning tops, the game controls are 180 degrees from that. You want to move? Over there? Ok, bring up the action menu. Click the move icon. Select the point on the screen with the stylus. Ok, want to move again? Re-tap... no, wait, that doesn't work. Bring up the action menu. Click the move icon. Select the point on the screen with the stylus. This is the action for controlling characters, which can be moved with the D-pad, if you have them selected correctly, or something like that. Honestly at this point, I was button tapping. In an RTS game. Button tapping. This is not a good sign at all.
If you are a diehard Lego fan, then you can easily look past these types of issues. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to DSi games, and think the technology with the touch screen and stylus could have been used a lot better in this case. However, these aren't game stopping issues (besides my lack of patience with them) especially when it comes to the age range, though my 10 year old quickly got frustrated with the game, but the 12 year old enjoyed it. The one huge plus for this game is that it has nice single and multiplayer modes besides the campaign. The old standards: capture the flag, king of the hill, and so on, give the game a bit more value than just a run of the mill RTS. Through the multiplayer you can unlock more unlockables, including characters from other Lego toy lines. There is a lot of stuff "hidden" throughout the game and the multiplayer mode, similar to the console games. Plus, the whole thing runs on a coin system, again similar to the console games.
Giving you something to search for, as far as the hidden items and Easter eggs, is probably the only thing that saved this game from being a second rate RTS. I'm not saying it's a first rate RTS, based on the visuals you wouldn't even guess it was made in the 2000s, but it's certainly not just a crappy chunk of plastic. It does have its moments of slight humor, and you will spend some time with the game searching around for the aforementioned hidden items and goodies. That part of the game is at least worth a little bit of your time. If you have a long car trip coming up, this game would probably be a good time waster for the kids, as you'll know pretty quick if they like it or not.
WIRED This game would be a good starter game for any kid looking to move into the RTS type game. Takes a bit more time, a bit more planning and strategy than a simple side scrolling shooter. Plus, it's Lego, so you know all the Lego fans will get it just because of that.
TIRED Ye gods, the graphics are bad in this game. I mean, if you are into some 486 retro stuff, then this is right up your alley. Not to mention the controls are just weird. Could have been nice and smooth, but instead they are like trying to roll a concrete block uphill.
