Is Lego Star Wars The Complete Saga Hard? A Deep Dive into Difficulty and Completion
The simple answer to whether Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is hard is: No, it’s not inherently hard. However, the game presents challenges of its own, though these stem more from patience and thoroughness than sheer difficulty. While the core gameplay mechanics are designed to be accessible to a wide audience, including children, achieving 100% completion requires a significant time commitment and a degree of meticulousness that might test even the most seasoned gamer.
Core Gameplay and Accessibility
The foundational gameplay of Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga revolves around simple action sequences, light puzzle solving, and character switching. These elements are intentionally designed to be intuitive, allowing younger players to easily grasp the mechanics. The game rarely requires complex button combinations or fast reflexes. Combat is generally straightforward, and while there are boss battles, they don’t typically present overwhelming challenges. The puzzles tend to be basic, involving finding specific items, pulling levers, or using character-specific abilities. The focus is more on exploration and discovery than on testing the player’s problem-solving prowess.
The Absence of Difficulty Settings
One notable aspect of the game is the lack of adjustable difficulty settings. This means that every player experiences the same level of challenge, irrespective of their skill level. While some adults might find the standard gameplay too simplistic and therefore boring, this makes the game highly approachable for younger gamers or those unfamiliar with action-adventure games. The developers aimed for an enjoyable experience for all skill levels rather than catering to a niche hardcore audience.
The Challenge of 100% Completion
The real challenge in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga arises when pursuing 100% completion. This involves not only completing all 36 main story levels but also collecting all minikits, unlocking every character, finding all red bricks, completing bonus levels, and fulfilling all side objectives. This pursuit often requires replaying levels multiple times, using different character combinations to access previously unreachable areas, and completing sometimes tedious tasks. The repetition required for a 100% completion is where some players find the game challenging, not in its mechanics, but in its demand for patience and persistence.
Minigames and Sidequests
While the core levels are generally easy, some minigames and sidequests can introduce a bit of frustration. These often involve challenges with wonky camera controls and somewhat finicky character movement, which can lead to minor annoyances. However, even these challenges are not overly difficult, and they rarely require more than a few attempts to overcome.
A Test of Endurance, Not Skill
Ultimately, the difficulty in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga is not about demanding complex gameplay or frustrating enemies; it’s about the grind needed to collect every item and achieve complete mastery. The game is designed to be a relaxed, enjoyable experience that allows players to explore the Star Wars universe at their own pace. While the core gameplay is easy, the completionist aspect provides a different kind of challenge – one that tests dedication and perseverance, rather than purely skill. In this respect, the game offers different levels of engagement: an easy, enjoyable experience for casual players and a long term challenge for those seeking full completion.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How long does it take to complete Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga?
Focusing on the main story takes roughly 13.5 hours. Reaching 100% completion typically requires about 40.5 hours.
2. What happens when you 100% Lego Star Wars?
Upon achieving 100%, you can access a special lever that, once pulled, activates a never-ending stream of studs and fireworks as a reward.
3. How many levels are there in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga?
There are a total of 36 main story levels (6 per episode), 20 bounty hunter missions, and 6 bonus levels.
4. How many playable characters are in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga?
The game boasts an impressive roster of 160 playable characters.
5. Can you play Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga with two players?
Yes, the game supports two-player local co-op, making it a fun experience for friends and family.
6. Is Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga still worth playing?
Yes, especially for die-hard Star Wars fans and those who enjoy the charming Lego game formula. It’s a definitive experience if you don’t own the previous installments.
7. What is the hardest Lego Star Wars set?
The LEGO® Star Wars™ The Razor Crest™ is considered one of the most challenging sets, with over 6,000 pieces.
8. Is Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga too easy?
The article states that Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga is also considered to be easy.
9. Which Lego game has the most collectibles?
LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has a vast array of collectibles, including 1166 Kyber Bricks.
10. Is Lego Star Wars fun to play alone?
While it’s fun solo, the game is even better with co-op play, as the entire game is playable with a partner.
11. Is Lego Star Wars OK for younger children?
The game is generally suitable for all ages with an E 10+ rating. However, some puzzles might be challenging for children under 7.
12. What do you need to do to reach 100% completion in Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga?
You need to complete all main missions, side missions, level challenges, puzzles, races, and shooting galleries, plus collect all characters, starships, capital ships, minikits, and Datacards.
13. Which Lego Star Wars game has the most characters?
Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga has the most characters within the franchise.
14. Can you play two-player on Lego Star Wars The Complete Saga?
Yes, you can play two-player local co-op, and players can drop in or out at any time.
15. How long does it take to get 100% in Lego Star Wars The Complete Saga?
Most players need about 35-40 hours to achieve 100% completion in the game.