The platform fighting game genre has seen a lot of growth recently, and apparently that growth isn't over just yet. While most recent LEGO game discussion has gone towards LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga lately, LEGO Brawls aims to make some news, too. The LEGO fighting game has been available on iOS devices for some time now through Apple Arcade, but LEGO Brawls is now officially making its way to consoles and PC. The colorful fighting game may have found support on Apple Arcade so far, but opening it up to console players ought to expand the LEGO Brawls fanbase significantly.
LEGO Brawls seems like it might be a hit on consoles specifically because it takes advantage of LEGO media very well. Its central theme is customization, emphasizing the kind of creativity that LEGO has built its brand around, and that theme has created a fighting game concept that could actually compete successfully with the other platform fighting games cropping up lately. What's more, LEGO Brawls has room to expand on consoles. Ideally, Red Games won't just port the iOS version of LEGO Brawls to consoles; on the contrary, if the game gets consistent support, it could hold a comfortable position as a platform fighting game in the coming years.
Why LEGO Brawls is Unique
In the wake of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, platform fighters seem to be on the rise. Nickelodeon All-Star Brawl gained lots of attention leading up to its release, and Warner Bros. Interactive's Multiversus clearly aims to capture the attention of fans in the same way. LEGO Brawls will have to compete with these titles for attention, but it's already well poised to do so. LEGO Brawls has a lot to do with territory control and is heavily multiplayer focused, which inherently sets it apart from competitors already.
Perhaps more importantly, LEGO Brawls has lots of customization options that make it compelling. Players don't just choose a default minifigure with a set list of abilities to play as; instead, LEGO Brawls lets players create a custom minifigure, both aesthetically and mechanically. Not only can players choose minifigure parts from all kinds of famous LEGO merchandise lines to create a unique look, but they can also customize their character's special abilities, choosing from a long list of unlockable abilities and attacks based on LEGO properties. That depth of customization means LEGO Brawls combat stays fresh easily. Players just have to replace an ability or two to mix up their gameplay, rather than trying to find an entirely different character to play as.
LEGO Brawls' Potential Growth
LEGO Brawls coming to consoles could also set the stage for some major events in the future. While it's affiliated with plenty of major LEGO product lines already, such as Ninjago and Monkie Kid, LEGO Brawls could have events centered around licensed LEGO products joining the game. Crossovers with Star Wars, Marvel, Disney, and so on could all inspire new levels, cosmetics, and abilities that diversify LEGO Brawls even further. Red Games could introduce major new features, too, like a stage builder that lets players customize battlefields for a change of pace.
For now, the biggest obstacle standing in LEGO Brawls' way is likely the transition from mobile game to console game. Not every console or PC user is particularly fond of mobile ports, so Red Games has to polish its LEGO game carefully to make sure it's up to snuff in terms of graphics and performance. If LEGO Brawls makes a good impression in that way, then Red Games will be well-poised to release expansions and in-game events that introduce even more customization options for fans. Even with so many other major platform fighters coming out right now, LEGO Brawls is worth watching.
LEGO Brawls is available now on Apple Arcade. It releases in summer 2022 for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
