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Review: LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin

I haven’t played a LEGO game since LEGO Batman 2. Man, those were the days.

LEGO characters had just received their voices, and as a result, brought a whole new dimension to the franchise. Batman and Robin were always quirky and awesome in brick form, but now they were able to articulate themselves, emote even more, and were just generally better doing so. I got bored with the original LEGO Batman, but as I played the sequel, I was convinced there was no way that would happen again.

Then, upon having to play the same level multiple times to unlock all of its secrets, that sense of disillusionment returned. The long and short of it is, LEGO games aren’t for me… even when they revolve around the Caped Crusader.

TT Games’ newest release, LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin really cements this, but in a good way. Like the cartoon of the same name, it’s for kids. It’s easier than LEGO Batman. It’s way more juvenile, featuring characters who lose their pants… and other characters who laugh at the pants-less ones. It’s a LEGO game that is easy to understand, no matter the puzzle, and will provide your children with bite-sized LEGO fun on the go.

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I can’t fault that.

The LEGO formula is well established, and really hasn’t been changed with Shadow of Ronin. You’ve the Ninjago at your disposal, and can switch between unlocked characters at will. When you’re not fighting baddies, you’re breaking stuff in the environment in order to rebuild it as switches, ladders and the like. In addition to your standard attack, you’ve got an elemental move which is admittedly fun as hell to use; I enjoyed spinning around as a mini-tornado, scooping up enemies as I whooshed around maps, flinging them off the screen when I’d had enough. Doing that’s called ‘spinjago’, by the way. On top of all this, you’ve also got a hold-to-lazer ability that’s the Ninjago’s version of a batarang.

Oh, and I haven’t mentioned the “awesome ninja vehicles” referenced on the game’s case. They live up to their reputation.

It’s standard LEGO fare, aimed at a demographic more appropriate for the overall gameplay.

In Shadow of Ronin, you’re given gold blocks for a certain amount of studs collected, but also for completing a level, collecting a certain amount of… well, collectibles, and performing two level-specific goals like ‘don’t get crushed by that falling ceiling’ or ‘destroy all these things’. Again, it’s not overly difficult, but it’s not meant to be.

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I’ve never really seen it, but enough time with my five-year-old nephew has made me aware that the Ninjago are a thing, and a cool thing at that. I’m imaging right now that my nephew would think I’m pretty cool for having played this game already… and I’m sure as soon as he knows I have it, he’ll be asking me for my Vita and the game. And I’d be elated to provide it to him.

Hell, and after playing Ninjago for a while – once I figured out the blue one was the funny one, and that the silver one was actually made out of Titanium – I’d probably sit down and watch the Ninjagos with him on TV now.

This one’s a perfect little purchase for the kids. Adults might want to wait for something like LEGO Jurassic World, but that said, it does have that LEGO sense of humour that’ll have you chuckling as you play. Buy accordingly.

LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin was reviewed using a promotional cartridge on PS Vita, as provided by the publisher.

 

Review: LEGO Ninjago: Shadow of Ronin
7 out of 10

The good

  • Classic, standard LEGO fare, aimed at the perfect demographic — children.

The bad

  • Repetitive and a bit too easy for adults.

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About the author

Steve Wright

Steve's the owner of this very site and an active games journalist nearing twenty (TWENTY!?!) years. He's a Canadian-Australian gay gaming geek, ice hockey player and fan. Husband to Matt and cat dad to Wally and Quinn.