There are a few heavy-hitting franchises in science fiction. Star Wars dominates the big screen, whereas Mass Effect and Halo are the industry leaders in gaming. Star Trek has historically been the go-to for fans of the genre in television. The original series and The Next Generation are beloved, are a handful of series and reimaginings that followed, but in recent years it has struggled to provide a powerhouse to compete with Disney’s galaxy far, far away. The Orville had been the closest thing to a modern adaptation of classic Trek, but Star Trek: Strange New Worlds brings back the franchise's old-school magic. The brand should also expand its presence in gaming, and could do so with the expertise of a sublime, family-friendly presence like LEGO.
LEGO games have been popular the past few console generations through a set of mechanics that shepherd players through pre-existing stories from properties like Harry Potter and Star Wars. The latter is perhaps its best success, which in large part due to Star Wars’ immense popularity. However, LEGO has a decent outing in its own right with LEGO City Undercover. The IP is a good, steady format for franchises to dip their toe onto gaming, and the series could help a sci-fi giant boldly go where it hasn’t been for some time.
LEGO and Star Trek Offer Family-Friendly Fun
Star Trek fits the LEGO philosophy like a glove, in-part because its tone has always walked the line of being family-friendly. The stories told have their complexities, but simple visual flourishes like warp and different colored uniform that make it easy to digest for younger fans. Without the frills, Star Trek is still fundamentally about space exploration, and the situations that any crew encounters on their journey to mapping the stars. That format is infinitely repeatable in any setting, and in gaming it provides a sufficient motivation to carry on.
LEGO adheres to a similar policy, as each game - regardless of setting, story, and characters - adopts the same winning formula. It champions creativity, curiosity, and destruction with puzzles aplenty. It walks the line between colorful fun for children and engaging gameplay that adults can enjoy meaning that, like Star Trek in the 1960s, it’s a viable way for the while family to enjoy an evening in front of a screen.
Star Trek Could Use Help Breaking into Gaming
There have been a handful of decent Star Trek games over the years, but few would argue that the property’s potential has been realized. An MMORPG, a VR experience, and a valiant but largely inconsequential movie tie-in aren't indicative of what Star Trek can offer. Since the franchise hasn’t had a runaway hit for some time, it may be best to give Kirk, Spock, and the rest of the original crew to a more established developer and franchise like LEGO. That way, the end result could appeal to fans of both Star Trek and LEGO, meaning there is a stronger chance at commercial success than is guaranteed for upcoming projects like Star Trek: Resurgence.
LEGO makes up for a lack of original stories with its ability to faithfully recreate what has come before in a way that keeps even the most stalwart fans guessing. Its take on Lord of the Rings used voices straight from the films, and so there isn’t much room for doing something different, but its comedic elements are very enjoyable. There is nothing wrong with Star Trek’s best moments, and adapting them in a LEGO game would offer the beloved stories a fresh coat of paint. It would be the perfect way to test the waters and give Star Trek a gaming presence that it has lacked for a while, potentially paving the way for more ambitious titles in the future.