LEGO Star Wars is the one game you need to play this Christmas

As another year draws to a close, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the games we’ve loved the most. Horizon Forbidden West and God Of War Ragnarök provided me with hours of enjoyment, just as I suspected they would do but oftentimes, it’s the unexpected surprises that can really stand out. I’ll admit, before this year, I’d never played a LEGO game, yet I couldn’t give you a valid reason as to why that is. It’s not that I was against playing one. In fact, several are based on my favourite films. It’s simply just something I’d never done.

That changed this year when I decided to pick up Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, mainly because I love Star Wars and my social media was flooded with fun easter eggs that people had found in the game. Little did I know that The Skywalker Saga was about to become my comfort game of 2022. You know, the kind you keep going back to inbetween all of the others. The gaming equivalent of a snuggly blanket - just all around wholesome vibes.

Take a look at some of our favourite LEGO Star Wars easter eggs below.

Despite the fact that I’ve almost clocked 60 hours in this game (and completed all nine main chapters), I haven’t once felt bored, which is a rare occurrence. I recently platinumed God of War Ragnarök, which is an incredible game, yet I did begin to tire as I ticked off those last couple of trophy to-dos. Right now, I’m spending all of my time hunting down Kyber Crystals and completing character missions. There’s over 1,200 Kyber Crystals to find in The Skywalker Saga - I’ve almost got my hands on 600 of them. If I’d had to collect 1,200 of anything in Forbidden West or Ragnarök, I reckon I’d have given up so I asked myself: What’s so special about The Skywalker Saga?

Well, I can’t think of another Star Wars project that allows fans to explore such a wide breadth of this universe. We see such a limited amount of Exegol in The Rise of Skywalker. The LEGO version of the planet may have its fair share of not-so-accurate details - I doubt the Sith Lords have really turned the Throne Room into a rave - yet there’s still a real thrill in exploring this planet for yourself, and that notion applies to any and every location.

I relished in exploring Maz’s Castle for myself, or wandering round Coruscant getting to know its various districts. Let’s be honest, every Star Wars fan has dreamt of visiting Coruscant at one point or another. I’d like to imagine that I already knew the Star Wars universe pretty well, but that feels more true now than ever after playing this game. It helps that there’s plenty of variety when it comes to the game's puzzles too. Rarely do I feel like I’m moving through the motions. It’s not unusual for a puzzle to really stump me for a couple of minutes and having just played Ragnarök, it’s both weird and refreshing to not have Atreus in my ear telling me what to do.

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga also offers some stake-free fun. I’m pretty excited for next year’s Star Wars Jedi: Survivor but I did find Fallen Order somewhat infuriating at times - particularly the fact that every time you’d restore your health, every single enemy would respawn. Some people find that fun - I can’t say I’m one of them. The Skywalker Saga’s combat is relatively easy and mainly takes place within the main story missions, but there are enough combat encounters littered throughout freeplay to keep things interesting whilst the stakes remain low. If you accidentally die, don’t worry. You’ll just pop up again.

If I have tempted you, the great news is that LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is currently ‘free’ for Xbox Game Pass subscribers, by which I mean it’s included in your subscription. All Game Pass subscribers can currently download the game and let me tell you, this is the perfect title to play over the festive period. It’s perfect in short doses, will leave you in a good mood, plus it’s even one that the whole family will enjoy having a go at. If that doesn’t persuade you, I don’t know what will.

Topics: Star Wars, Lego, Xbox Game Pass, Opinion