Legos bridge the gap between the tangible and the imagined, allowing children and adults to build and tell their own stories. Digital Lego experiences primarily pull from some of society's most popular IPs, meaning that same unhindered level of creativity can be applied to our favorite fantasy settings and comic heroes. Here is our definitive ranking for the top 10 Lego games:
10
Lego Creator
Ever heard of Minecraft? Of course, you have. How about Lego Creator, an open-ended sandbox game from the late '90s developed by Superscape? The acclaimed autonomy and creativity inherent in Mojang’s cultural phenomenon appeared in this gem a little over a decade earlier. Lego Creator has no missions, challenges, or progression constraints. Instead, it leverages the Lego trademarks' most infectious interaction: building with blocks. A free-form constriction model meant that players could construct the cities of their dreams and then view their wild creations from the perspective of a Minifigure. Later versions of the game implemented themes – from fantasy-inspired blocks in Lego Creator: Knights’ Kingdom to the wizarding world of Harry Potter (not to be confused with another entry on this list). Lego Creator might be an award-winning gem, but its outdated UI and systems prevent it from earning a higher spot on this list.
9
Lego Builder's Journey
Lego Builder’s Journey flew under the radar when it launched for mobile devices in 2019. Its more prominent indie influences, however, were clear. Minimalist, evocative art reminiscent of Fez’s 2.5D style coupled with atmospheric music makes Builder’s Journey the most cathartic entry on this list. The miniature levels are outdoorsy locales – mountain trails, beaches, woods – where players use a limited amount of Lego pieces to create navigable pathways for their Minifigure. There’s not much here mechanically, but there’s an elegance to the variety of challenging puzzles; some require players to color match, build with limited sightlines, or complete objectives under time restrictions. Builder’s Journey is a bite-sized experiment that promises casual, low-stakes sessions for puzzle enthusiasts. | Our Review
8
Lego Harry Potter Collection
This blocky reimagining of the Harry Potter movies smartly employs mechanics from previous TT Games titles. Activating spells is as responsive and accessible as using the various Force powers in the higher-ranked entries. And while the upcoming Hogwarts Legacy offers a comprehensive look at never-before-seen sectors of the magical world, the Lego Harry Potter Collection did it first. Almost all of Hogwarts is navigable and filled with puzzles and secrets, expanding on hidden areas that the films neglected. Like the books, combat takes a back seat which might alienate players that enjoyed the constant flux of action in the Lego Star Wars games. Even so, this Harry Potter adaptation bursts forth with enough charm and whimsy to earn the eighth spot. | Our Reviews: Years 1-4 & Years 5-7
7
Lego The Lord of the Rings
Lego games are known for numerous features: exploration, puzzle-platforming, item collection, and combat, all wrapped in a comedic romp for families and friends. It makes sense that these qualities transferred perfectly to Tolkien’s Mordor. Lego Lord of the Rings is a bit of an outlier on this list. Not because it changes the loop in revolutionary ways – it doesn’t, and that’s okay! – but because the high fantasy adventure implements music/voice-acting from Peter Jackson’s trilogy, tones down the humor, and even implements a free roam open-world! What more could Lord of the Rings fans want? | Our Review