Technomaly

I got a chance to take Lego Universe for a spin at the Consumer Electronics Show, and I must say, LEGO’s attempt at an MMO was already well polished and a lot of fun.

Basically, it’s an MMO like any other but with a few features taken from the previous LEGO games. The combat, for instance, is quick and click happy, just like the console games. I got to run around killing LEGO robots with a LEGO spear — with a small set of move combinations.

Players also collect LEGO pieces like the console games, but these pieces all add up to the end game fun of building your own LEGO creations.

While the game certainly seems to be tailored toward the casual gamer, there are deeper game play options. LEGO volunteers said there would be group dynamics and quests that would require more than one person. One also said there would be a “way to tailor your game play.” That cryptic quote came when I asked about classes in LEGO Universe, so it seems there will be additional powers, but no definite word has been released on those thus far.

There is certainly experience, which grants more health at the very least. But what else the experience unlocked is unclear.

Speaking of the end game, one of the volunteers was tinkering with the LEGO Digital Designer which will be featured prominently in the end game.

There will be a little plot of land at the end and places to share your creations. I asked if it would be possible to drive your creations around, and a volunteer said that while there would be small interactive features in those plots but nothing major.

The volunteer did say there would be races and modular sets to find to compete with other players.

I personally cannot wait to get a further look at the game and waited in a long line to get a free LEGO man and sign up for the beta test.

LEGO Universe is still in family and friends alpha testing, but expect to hear more about it in the future.