ℹ️ - No Photo Mode on the LEGO Horizon

Developer: Guerrilla Games | Studio Gobo

Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment

Platform: PC, PS5, Switch

Initial Release: 14th November 2024

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Such has been the popularity of the photo mode in Guerrilla's Horizon games that it would seem almost unthinkable for a new entry in the series to release without one. Many people still credit Horizon Zero Dawn with igniting their interest in virtual photography, and the digital art form has become integral to the studio's community engagement.

Nevertheless, here we are with a brand new Horizon game that has absolutely no sign of a photo mode, even though it would almost certainly benefit greatly from one.

Of course, LEGO Horizon Adventures is no ordinary Horizon game, and there is no reason to expect that because Zero Dawn and Forbidden West have photo modes that this would too. It's not even really what you might think of as an ordinary LEGO game either, mainly thanks to the way it trades the near-total destructibility of the previous games for much more rigidly formed environments.

This is probably more LEGO movie than LEGO game actually, with exceptional graphical fidelity and distinctive stop-motion animation style. The plus side of course, is that it is especially beautiful and easily the best-looking LEGO game to date, although things do tend to feel a bit oversimplified elsewhere.

"A much-needed option to engage more with the fabulous looking bricks..."

There is a healthy dose of the typical LEGO humour as you'd expect – as long as you find a relentless focus on food to be funny that is – and you get the sense that the game does just want you to have a good time. Unfortunately, some of the dumbed-down and overly talkative characters manage to become irritating well before you finish levelling them up.

The levels too, incredibly beautiful though they are, actually do very little to involve the player in the world and struggle to create many memorable moments outside of the well-executed Tallneck sightings. As a result, most of the short connecting sections become much of a muchness as you end up simply running through them to get to the next combat area, often without really stopping to take in the sights.

The combat is quite enjoyable by the way, it varies slightly with each of the 4 playable characters and makes use of the component parts of the various machines. It is easily the high point of the game, and the trouble is just that there is so little in-between to draw you in to appreciate the expertly constructed LEGO model world.

All the more reason why this game should have a photo mode then. Something to give greater reason to explore the post-game free play expeditions. A much-needed option to engage more with the fabulous looking bricks in ways that the fixed gameplay camera simply doesn't allow.

You only need to look at some of the cinematic cut-scenes or better yet, the static loading screen images to see the great potential in the visuals. OK, the latter will be created as in-engine renders and not with a simple photo mode, but even in-game it is easy to see the potential of the extremely high quality on offer.

Despite being toy miniatures, the models are very detailed with visible material textures and manufacturing marks and, thanks to Unreal Engine 5, the lighting is beautiful throughout. You can even visit the areas at four different times of day and between the lush forests, snowy mountains, sandy deserts, and instantly recognisable cauldrons, virtual photographers would be sure to find a lot to work with.

The decision to make the old-world ruins based on real present-day LEGO sets is also an inspired one, and one that perhaps helps to make a bit more sense of why you are able to upgrade the Nora Mother's Heart village with City and Ninjago sets.

Even the machines themselves are made up of actual LEGO blocks to give them real authenticity. That's the kind of thing that could lead to shots that create a wonderous mix of toys and imagination, like capturing the playful thoughts of a child.

This Horizon photo mode is nothing more than imagination itself though, for now at least. If there is any likelihood of the game getting any post-release content, a photo mode should surely be top of the list.

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