It's fairly safe to say that although the quality of Star Wars videogames ranges from great to terrible, the vast majority of them falling into the "merely OK" category. It's even safer to say that the bulk of LEGO videogames fall into the "we're going to be polite and say that they just aren't very good" category. So when it was announced that Eidos would be publishing a game based on the line of LEGO Star Wars, you, like me, probably didn't have the highest of hopes for it. Sure, the toys themselves may rule (and oh, how they do), but the concept of a game smacks of quickie licensed garbage.

Of course, anyone who thinks that about LEGO Star Wars: The Video Game (to use its Spaceballs-esque full title) obviously hasn't played it. What could have been at best a decent kiddy game and at worst an unplayable mess ended up being one of the most enjoyable Star Wars titles in recent memory.

Leggo My Star Wars

If you're looking for details about the game mechanics, I've already written multiple previews detailing what makes this game unique. To summarize, though, it's a 3D platform game (with the occasional pod race or space battle level) that takes place in LEGO-ized versions of the three prequel films (and no, I shan't be dropping any Episode III spoilers here). By interacting with LEGO elements throughout the stages (usually by using weapons or the Force), you solve puzzles and discover secrets.

A few lightsaber swings will pop a Destroyer Droid's shields.

So why would you want to spend your time playing through a (let's face it) kid's game? How about that it's a well crafted adventure with excellent control and level design? How about that there's tons of hidden goodies to entice even the most grown-up Star Wars nerd or LEGO maniac? How about that it's got a sense of fun about it that most games could only wish to have?

May the Bricks Be with You

The first thing you'll notice about the game is how freaking cute it is. All the characters are living versions of those little LEGO Minifigs, and it's a hoot seeing normally fearsome characters like Darth Maul rendered as tiny, plastic toys. And who can deny the coolness of a LEGO Christopher Lee? The game is also quite self-aware of its look and it goes with it. Destroyed enemies collapse into a pile of LEGO bricks, and the between level cinemas, although lacking dialogue, are often rather humorous.