A TTL video game uses Near Field Communications (NFC) to read and write digital information to a figure. Most of the games that use this technology involve a "portal" or "gamepad" which can read the information on the figure and transfer it into the game; so one second a figure is just collecting dust on your shelf and the next you are running around new worlds with that character in a video game. It can be quite fun if done properly or extremely frustrating when the product doesn't meet expectations. I can't think of another toy brand that would lend itself better to a TTL game than LEGO and with TT Games, the people behind other amazing LEGO video games such as LEGO Harry Potter and LEGO Jurassic World, responsible for bringing these franchises to life there is little need for trepidation. Box and Contents As game DLC I see it as a fail, as an investment (which as stupid as that should be, is a real thing, I guess) it's probably not a good idea, and as Polybags its CLEARLY an abysmal value. I should mention that you need not worry about losing pieces or the minifigures; as long as you still have the disc, the game is playable. The physical LEGO is really just for decoration, but the best kind of decoration of course! The Build

LEGO Dimensions: Starter Pack - idealo

When LEGO Dimensions was first announced in early 2015 I was excited and nervous in equal measure. There was a new LEGO game coming from TT Games and I couldn't wait to get my hands on it but it became immediately apparent that this game would be a dramatic departure from any of the previous titles. The new game would be a "Toys-to-Life" game (commonly abbreviated to TTL) and I had been burned by TTL games before. Dropping hundreds of dollars into unsatisfying games such as Skylanders and Disney Infinity left me hesitant to see the LEGO name attached to a similar project. However, by the time the announcement trailer ended I knew I had nothing to worry about. LEGO was in good hands and together with TT Games, they were ready to Break the Rules. A lot of people, and I mean a lot, seem to see these as overpriced because they are looking at them as just Lego sets. They are not, they are part of a game too. If you're not going to play the game, then these sets are not for you. The price includes more than just the physical Lego because that is what the product is. There is no good judging a set while separating the various elements of the product and complaining that it is too much money for just one element of the set. That would be like me buying an Ikea bookshelf, and complaining that it is overpriced because it costs more than one shelf is worth. Secondly, it is well-known that Lego is expensive (but justified due to quality). It is also well-known that TTL games are expensive (but justified because of... hype? I don't know really - there must be a reason beyond collectable figurines anyway). What we have here is either one of two things:Fans of Skylanders, Disney Infinity and Amibo will be familiar with the "Toys to Life" category of games, with Lego Dimensions being their addition, which works by placing an NFC reader and writer at the base of a figure or vehicle that connects to an NFC portal that in turn projects them into the game. Dimensions is rated PEGI 7, and therefore designed for children from seven years and over. Given the success of the movie, the interest in this title will be piqued by children and adults alike. Game Plot I took a look and it's beyond my understanding how someone can spend so much money on this. But to each their own. The sheer number of popular franchises found in one place might seem overwhelming to some but being able to send Gimli the Dwarf riding a Velociraptor through Springfield was a major selling point for me. Even if you don't love all the properties included in the game there are sure to be one or two that catch your eye. One of the most compelling aspects of LEGO Dimensions is the ability to combine all of the characters from every franchise in the main story. This is possible in other TTL video games but only outside of the main story which has been one of my biggest complaints about those games.

71171 LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack: PS4 - Brickipedia 71171 LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack: PS4 - Brickipedia

The Aquaman Exclusive is available only at Toys-R-Us and is available on Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Is the wealth of IP a good thing? Or does it make for a diluted experience of trawling through elements you have no interest in? I certainly have no interest in playing through/with a chima or ninjago theme, not really scooby doo. Portal yes, Batman ok, Lego movie perhaps. Lotr no. I and my kids love LEGO star wars, but I wouldn't have wanted to have swapped the Ep4 section for some LEGO atlantis. Did I miss it or was there even any mention of the far far greater cost of Dimensions to other TTL games? If not how can it be washed over so easily? However, the portal is undoubtedly the star of the build and is the most detailed aspect of the set. While it is relatively simple it's still amazing to see a circular object made with angular LEGO pieces. The entire assembly is fitted to the base using a couple of Technic axles so it is very sturdy. I really like the use of light and dark blue along with the gray as it brightens the model nicely and the trans-light blue claws produce an excellent wormhole effect.

The cinematics are beautifully rendered and could be cut together to make an excellent movie with a few small additions. The dialog is excellent too and will delight both children and adults. For instance, at one point Batman is convinced that Scarecrow of Oz is really The Scarecrow from Gotham who must be using his fear toxin to cause everyone to hallucinate. It is important to note that the Batman you play in the game is not the same Batman from The LEGO Movie and there is even a humorous cinematic early on which proves it. Evil Lord Vortex has created a powerful vortex that has made an appearance across several Lego universes where different characters in each world have been swept away. To save them, Batman, Gandalf and Wyldstyle jump right into the vortex to save Lego humanity. The game is spread across the breath of these brand's universes, bringing the worlds together by teaming up unlikely allies in a quest to defeat Lord Vortex. One can team up with a wealth of characters from:

Lego Dimensions: Starter Pack PS4 - The Games Exchange Ltd (GEX) Lego Dimensions: Starter Pack PS4 - The Games Exchange Ltd (GEX)

Firstly, the article is unashamadly positive about the game. People who are not comfortable with that should not trust a single source when forming their own opinion. After building the LEGO portion of the gateway, it attaches to the electronic NFC reader base which fortunately has two 2x2 studded sections on each side to hold it in place. The final product looks even better in person than it does on the box. It has a very organic feel to it and the NFC readers do not look out of place at all. Let creativity be the guide to a building and gaming adventure – journey through unexpected worlds and team-up with unlikely allies on the quest to defeat the evil Lord Vortech. Play with different minifigures from different worlds together in one LEGO videogame, and use each other’s vehicles and gadgets in a way never before possible. LEGO® Bad Cop™ driving the DeLorean Time Machine…why not?! The LEGO® Ninjago™ Masters of Spinjitsu fighting alongside Wonder Woman™...yes, please! Get ready to break the rules, because the only rule with LEGO Dimensions is that there are no rules. I am finding the discussion below the article a lot more interesting than the article itself. My own observations:

Box and Contents

Like others have already said this review is way too gushing, and barely takes cost into account, which especially for TTL is a bigger factor than a typical game or Lego set review. I'm really sorry, and its great to see a new reviewer but from the first section it was obvious that reading this review would be an utter waste of time, completely uncritical, wrong on facts, totally missing the nuance of the business model. A fanboys orgasm but really not a review. The boxart has many different Adventure Worlds on it, the largest being The Lord of the Rings World on it. Nice, well-rounded review. I'm not much of a gamer so I had little interest in "toys-to-life" products before LEGO Dimensions was announced. However, it has been interesting to watch them evolve. LEGO Dimensions takes the physical interaction with the toys and toy pad farther than any other toys-to-life game before it, and it will be interesting to see how its competitors in this category respond. expense squared - the high price of Lego married to the high price of the TTL currency. For those of us who are fans of one but not the other that might affect their view of the game's value.