Lego Bionicle Challenge

Everyone’s heard of Lego and for those of you who have been building an empire from plastic blocks and block-like creatures more recently, you’ll probably know a thing or two of the Bionicle series.

Regardless of how much you know, you’ll be able to get stuck right into the game, Lego Bionicle Challenge. If you enjoy racing challenges you really will enjoy this latest edition of the Lego franchise.

You have a choice of three various Bionicle creatures to choose from which all have slightly different attributes (armour, speed and weapon) for you to use to your advantage. Although this is a race it’s not a question of being the fastest and beating the clock, it’s more like a question of survival. You are up against two other machines with one thing on their electronic mind, winning!

Unlike many other racing games you’re equipped with a weapon which can make the difference between first and last. As opposed to using your skill to go around the opposition on the track, you can simply take aim and fire and ram them out of the way – which, let’s face it, is much more entertaining!

Dotted about the track are various power-ups which you can take advantage of. The red squares give you temporary speed boosts and the yellow squares replenish your fuel for as long as you are on the square. The spanner symbol repairs your Bionicle to full health. Other objects worth collecting are the orbs, the red one drains armour from any opponents who dare fly close enough, the yellow orb lets you drain your opponent of fuel and the blue one provides you with a shield for a short period. The best thing about the power-ups are you’re able to select when to trigger them to suit. The only drawback is whilst you’re waiting to trigger your special weapon you can’t fire your normal weapon.

You are given 1200 points for getting first, 800 for second and 400 for third place. To boost your score even more, you get additional 300 points for every kill you tally each round. The only way to progress and unlock every race course (there’s 15 in total), is by getting the most points at the end of the race. In truth, finishing first is normally sufficient to getting through to the next round, however taking the opposition out is just good practice!

For the average to advanced racing game player, this game will offer you few surprises but the challenge of the different courses and graphics are good. Lego’s aimed towards the younger audience so it’s certain that younger players will definitely find this game enjoyable. Although I found the game pretty easy I still got pretty addicted and can imagine many others will feel the same.

Rating 79%

Positives

Great racing game for younger audiences

Good graphics and sounds

Quick races (5 laps each)

Entertaining, especially with the different power-ups

Negatives

A little too easy to win

Only a choice of three different Bionicles

No mini-games or ability to equip your Bionicle to suit your playing style