Over the course of the last few years, LEGO have infiltrated some of the most beloved film franchises, from "Star Wars" to "Indiana Jones," and have (for the most part) done an amazing job of recreating both memorable characters and scenes in block form. With only a few days to go before "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" is released to assuredly welcoming audiences, Disney and TT Games have come together to combine Captain Jack Sparrow and his crew with everyone's favorite building blocks with the release of "LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean: The Video Game"
THE BASICS
"LEGO Pirates" follows the same standard formula that all of the other Lego games have followed before it: take some highly recognizable source material and blockify it. This particular game compiles the best bits from all four movies, features every face from the films, and packs more unlockables than you can shake a sword at.
THE HIGHS
A Pirates' Tale
Unlike the most recent "Lego Star Wars" game, "Pirates" is a return to form, bringing the twisted tales of Captain Jack to life, with very little lost in translation. The films have been around for a few years now, each of which has its own enthralling story that have left impressions on its fans, which means that even though the characters don't talk, the story is still "accurately" conveyed.
The Complete Saga
One of the biggest missteps of the "LEGO Indiana Jones" games was that they were released in two parts in what came across purely as an attempt to capitalize on the release of "The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull." Fortunately, "LEGO Pirates" doesn't make the same mistake, and includes all four movies, including the as-of-yet-unreleased "On Stranger Tides," all on one disc. Rabid fans can get a preview of the upcoming epic and experience Jack's search for the Fountain of Youth before it hits theaters.
LittleBigPirates
It's a small addition to the LEGO franchise, but the load scenes, as well as some of the cut scenes, are told through animations that seem like they would have more of a home in "LittleBigPlanet" than in a Lego game. The stylized transitions are a break from the all-Lego-all-the-time mentality of some of the older titles, and a refreshing break from all those blocks.
THE LOWS
Pirate Party
Every captain needs a crew, and Jack Sparrow is no different. Breaking from the standard two character gameplay of the previous Lego games, "Pirates" packs the ability to have up to eight playable characters on the screen at once. You'll start off each level with at least two characters, but then more will join your party creating a parade of pirates following you on the screen. While it is a great addition to the gameplay, allowing you to have multiple skill sets represented throughout each level, all those moving parties really crowd the screen, sometimes even blocking your way.
Another LEGO Game
While it's great to see another modern-day classic turned into a LEGO game, Travelers Tale may need to start worrying about over-saturation the market. "LEGO Star Wars III" has only been on the market for a month and a half, and Lego fans are hit with another, albeit different, title. The thing is, this game has the same problem that every other "LEGO" game: frustrating platforming. Fix that, and then fans might forgive a release every six weeks.
THE VERDICT
"LEGO Pirates of the Caribbean" is a return to form, and a great addition to the "LEGO" series. Cherry picking the best parts of action and humor from a great film series isn't that difficult of a task, but this game does it expertly, right down to Jack Sparrow's swarmy swagger. Aside from the character clustering and platforming frustrations, this game obviously demonstrates that the TT Games team can tackle a new franchise with the same gusto that once came along with the classic "LEGO Star Wars" games.
BONUS! Be sure to watch our LEGO recreation of the first "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" Trailer: