With Disney’s acquisition ofStar Warsin 2012, fans of the galaxy far, far away have gotten a plethora of all-new stories in the IP. FromAndoron TV screenstoRogue Onein theaters, and even original games likeStar Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, the franchise is far more than the trilogy of the 70s and 80s. Its potential is endless, and Disney seems all-too-willing to keep commissioning new projects. However, authenticity is important inStar Wars, and some projects have showed the negative impact that a poor product can have on the series' legacy.LEGO Star Warswas one of the few that capturedStar Wars' best side with plenty of gaming adaptations that were nearly universally well received.
FromIndiana JonestoDC Super Villains, theLEGOgames all use a similar model that prioritizes cooperative problem-solving, amusing destroy-and-rebuild level design, and a story that inserts comedic moments to make each game more than just a faithful adaptation. The franchises it has taken on are huge, often with fan bases far eclipsing that of Traveller’s Tales games. Among the bestLEGOgames, however, wasLEGO City Undercover, an all-new adventure that wasn’t bound by the restrictions of a story already told. Between this andTraveller’s Tales' ability to craft a greatStar Warsgame, maybe now is the time that the developer contributed to the franchise with something new rather than adapting what is old.
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LEGO and Star Wars Go Together Like C3-PO and R2-D2
LEGOhas always leaned onStar Wars, releasing countless games over the years that re-chronicle the exploits of Darth Vader, Obi Wan Kenobi,Anakin Skywalker, and Rey. These have been great, and offer a light-hearted alternative way to experience the saga. What has been made by film studios, TV companies, and game developers is only a piece ofStar Wars' potential, and side stories likeThe Mandalorian, Andor, andJedi: Fallen Orderdo well to flesh out theStar Warsgalaxy. These outings have showed that the franchise can see new additions that vary in storytelling and tone, so it’s not a leap to believe that a more humor-filledStar Warsstory could happen.
This is where Traveller’s Tales’LEGOtitles have always flourished.LEGOgamesalways seem to execute comedic timing with relative ease. Even inLEGO City Undercoverthe developer showed that it can balance funny moments with a story that keeps the player interested throughout. At this point Traveller’s Tales has proved that it is capable of crafting aStar Warsstory that is fit for all ages and that could stand alongsideThe Clone Wars,Rebels, and the sequel trilogy while offering something new and family-friendly.
Disney is Eager to Expand Star Wars' Horizons
Star Warsbegan on the screen as a trilogy of films, but since then it has grown exponentially. Disney’s acquisition of the license has provoked a plethora of side stories, prequels and sequels, and there is no reason to think that this will stop any time soon.Star Warsis about far more than Sith and Jedi in 2023, as some of the best characters are bounty hunters, former villains, or all-around scoundrels. It’s a seemingly endless franchise that can house many stories, and given howLEGOStar Warsgames are rarely anything less than solid, Traveller’s Tales has earned the right to more freedom with the IP.
LEGO City Undercoveris a fantastic game, but more importantly, it proves that the developer is capable of more than just reworking existing stories.Star Wars' resume is far from unblemished, so should a new story set in its universe be poor, it isn’t a huge issue. If it’s handled well, which is more likely given Traveller’s Tales' track record, then it could provoke more opportunities for innovative, universally-enjoyable, and fruitful new stories that adopt a familiar and beloved style of game.
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Sagais available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
