Highlights
- LEGO 2K Goooal! has the potential to stand out from other soccer games by targeting a younger demographic and ensuring accessibility through simple controls, tutorials, and a family-friendly presentation.
- The game should avoid implementing microtransactions, as it would be seen as predatory towards its younger audience, learning from the criticism faced by LEGO 2K Drive.
- LEGO 2K Goooal! could set itself apart by including crossover characters and stadiums from popular franchises like Marvel, DC, and Harry Potter, providing a unique experience compared to other sports games.
Despite the controversy surrounding their annual release schedule, sports games are more popular than ever before. Last year's FIFA 23 reportedly surpassed its predecessor's lifetime sales in just six months, NBA 2K23 followed a similar pattern, and even despite a rough critical reception, the recent Madden NFL 24 is also set to pull in some big numbers. It's only natural, then, that more companies would want a piece of the pie, and LEGO 2K Goooal! could be about to bring the world's best-selling construction toy back into the world of sports games.
Though it still hasn't been officially announced, LEGO 2K Goooal! is almost definitely coming in the near future, with its initial rumored announcement being a part of the same leak that contained LEGO 2K Drive long before it released. And while practically nothing is known about this LEGO soccer game, it already has the potential to give its competition a real run for their money, with a handful of unique selling points already baked into the project's DNA.
How LEGO 2K Goooal! Can Stand Out From Other Soccer Games
Sports games, the vast majority of the time, have an extremely low age rating, meaning that anyone from the ages three and above can technically play the game, but that doesn't necessarily mean that they're completely family-friendly. Though FIFA and NBA 2K might not include any foul language, drug use, or violence, they might still be a bit too mechanically complex for young children to fully understand. That's where LEGO 2K Goooal! can really shine.
LEGO 2K Goooal! should be, first and foremost, a kid's game, and an entry-level sports title. While there should still be a decent amount of depth to its gameplay mechanics, LEGO 2K Goooal! should ensure that all of its controls and features are extremely accessible for younger players, with plenty of simple tutorials that are designed to teach newcomers the basics of a soccer video game. This accessibility should carry over to LEGO 2K Goooal!'s presentation. The game's menu UI should be simple and clear, and its visuals should be bright and colorful.
This high level of accessibility, and the game's skew towards a younger demographic also means that LEGO 2K Goooal! shouldn't have any microtransactions. Ultimate Team has become one of the most prominent features of modern-day FIFA/EA Sports FC titles, and while many players enjoy dropping the money to open up new packs, it would feel a lot more predatory in a LEGO soccer game specifically designed for younger audiences. LEGO 2K Drive attempted to implement microtransactions, and it was the most obvious and widespread criticism of the game at launch. It's vital that LEGO 2K Goooal! doesn't repeat the same mistake.
On a similar note about price point, it's imperative that LEGO 2K Goooal! is priced fairly for the amount of content it has in store. Another big misstep for LEGO 2K Drive was its full $70 price tag, and the vast majority of gamers just aren't willing to spend full retail price on a LEGO game nowadays unless it has the content to back it up.
One potential feature that would immediately set LEGO 2K Goooal! apart from its competition would be the inclusion of crossover characters. According to LEGO 2K Goooal!'s original leak, the game could potentially feature crossovers from popular franchises like Marvel, DC, and Harry Potter. If this is true, then it would immediately set itself apart from the likes of EA Sports FC. Along with popular crossover characters, it would be great to see crossover stadiums appear as well, taking players to iconic pop-culture locations like Hogwarts Castle or Gotham City.
LEGO 2K Goooal! is reportedly in development.