LEGO Dimensions, a now-discontinued but beloved toys-to-life video game, seamlessly blended the physical joy of LEGO building with the immersive experience of video game adventures. It brought together iconic characters from various universes, allowing players to solve puzzles, battle enemies, and explore vibrant worlds. Even though new content isn’t being released, the core gameplay remains highly entertaining and offers a unique LEGO experience. This guide will take you through the intricacies of playing LEGO Dimensions, from the initial setup to mastering advanced gameplay mechanics.
Understanding the LEGO Dimensions Starter Pack
The foundation of your LEGO Dimensions adventure is the Starter Pack. This pack contains everything you need to begin your journey. Understanding each component is crucial for a smooth and enjoyable experience.
What’s Included in the Box?
The Starter Pack typically included:
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The LEGO Toy Pad: This is the central hub that interacts with the physical LEGO figures and vehicles. It’s where you’ll place your characters to bring them into the game.
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The LEGO Gateway: A buildable LEGO portal that serves as the in-game gateway to different dimensions. Building this gateway is the first step in your adventure.
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Three LEGO Figures: Batman, Gandalf, and Wyldstyle (from The LEGO Movie) are the initial heroes you’ll control. These figures are crucial for completing the main story.
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The Batmobile: Batman’s iconic vehicle, which can be rebuilt into different forms, granting new abilities within the game.
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The LEGO Dimensions Video Game Disc: This contains the main story campaign and provides access to all the different world hubs.
Setting Up the Toy Pad and Gateway
The first step is constructing the LEGO Gateway according to the included instructions. This build is relatively straightforward and provides a taste of the LEGO building experience. Once the Gateway is built, connect the LEGO Toy Pad to your gaming console via USB. The game will guide you through the initial setup process, including calibrating the Toy Pad to ensure accurate figure recognition. Correct setup is paramount for a fluid gameplay experience.
Getting Started with Gameplay: The Basics
Once everything is connected and calibrated, you’re ready to jump into the game. The initial levels serve as a tutorial, introducing you to the core gameplay mechanics and the unique abilities of your starting characters.
Character Abilities and Switching
Each character in LEGO Dimensions possesses unique abilities that are essential for solving puzzles and overcoming obstacles. Batman can use his Batarang, Gandalf can use magic, and Wyldstyle is a master builder. You can switch between characters on the Toy Pad by physically moving the corresponding figure onto the active section of the pad. This instant character swapping is a key element of the gameplay. Remember that some puzzles require specific combinations of character abilities.
Using the Toy Pad: Shifting and Scale
The Toy Pad isn’t just a figure reader; it’s an integral part of the gameplay. The pad is divided into three sections, each of which can be illuminated with different colors. These colors often correspond to actions that need to be performed. For instance, a character might need to be moved to a specific color-coded section of the Toy Pad to avoid an attack or to activate a special ability. The Toy Pad is also used for “shifting,” where you move characters between different sections to solve puzzles or navigate hazards. “Scale” is another important Toy Pad function. Often, you’ll need to shrink or enlarge characters using the Toy Pad to fit through small spaces or overcome large obstacles.
Combat and Puzzle Solving
Combat in LEGO Dimensions is generally straightforward. You’ll face waves of enemies, and each character has their own attack style. However, the real challenge lies in the puzzles. These puzzles often require you to utilize character abilities in creative ways, along with strategic use of the Toy Pad. Pay close attention to the environment and look for clues that indicate which abilities are needed. Experimentation is key!
Expanding Your Adventure: Level Packs, Team Packs, and Fun Packs
While the Starter Pack provides a solid foundation, the true depth of LEGO Dimensions lies in the expansion packs. These packs introduce new characters, vehicles, and entire levels based on beloved franchises.
Level Packs: Unlock New Story Content
Level Packs offer the most substantial content expansion. Each Level Pack includes a new playable level based on a specific franchise, such as Doctor Who, Portal 2, or The Simpsons. These levels provide hours of gameplay and introduce new characters and vehicles that can be used throughout the entire game.
Team Packs: Double the Characters, Double the Fun
Team Packs include two playable characters and a vehicle or gadget. These packs offer a balanced approach to expanding your roster and providing new abilities. They are particularly useful for accessing areas that require specific character abilities.
Fun Packs: A Single Character and Vehicle
Fun Packs provide a single playable character and a vehicle or gadget. While they don’t offer new levels, they are an affordable way to acquire new abilities and explore the game’s open world hubs.
The Importance of Abilities and Open World Exploration
Acquiring a diverse range of characters and vehicles unlocks access to a wider range of areas and secrets within the game’s open world hubs. Each hub is themed after a different franchise and contains numerous collectibles, side quests, and puzzles. Some areas are only accessible by characters with specific abilities, such as flight, underwater breathing, or hacking. Therefore, collecting expansion packs not only expands the story content but also enriches the overall exploration experience.
Advanced Gameplay Techniques
Beyond the basics, mastering certain techniques can significantly enhance your LEGO Dimensions experience.
Rebuilding Vehicles: Unlocking New Forms
Many vehicles in LEGO Dimensions can be rebuilt into different forms, each granting new abilities. For example, the Batmobile can be rebuilt into the Batblaster or the Sonic Batray, each offering unique attacks and traversal options. The game will prompt you when a vehicle can be rebuilt, and the instructions are accessed through the in-game menu. Experimenting with different rebuilds is crucial for maximizing the potential of your vehicles.
Using the Keystone Abilities
Keystone abilities are special powers that are unlocked as you progress through the main story campaign. These abilities are accessed through special Keystone portals that appear in the levels. Keystone abilities include:
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Chroma: Allows you to manipulate colors to solve puzzles.
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Shift: Enables you to move objects between different dimensions.
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Scale: Allows you to shrink or enlarge characters and objects.
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Elemental: Grants control over elements like fire, water, and earth.
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Locate: Helps you find hidden objects and pathways.
Mastering the use of Keystone abilities is essential for completing the later levels and accessing hidden areas.
Understanding Character Interactions
LEGO Dimensions features a unique system of character interactions. Some characters have special interactions with each other, triggering unique animations or dialogue. These interactions often provide hints or clues for solving puzzles. Pay attention to how characters react to each other and experiment with different pairings to discover hidden secrets.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
While LEGO Dimensions is generally a stable game, you may encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and potential solutions.
Toy Pad Not Recognizing Figures
If the Toy Pad is not recognizing figures, try the following:
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Ensure the Toy Pad is properly connected to your console via USB.
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Restart your console.
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Clean the bottom of the LEGO figures and the surface of the Toy Pad.
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Recalibrate the Toy Pad in the game’s settings menu.
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Make sure the figures are placed directly on the illuminated sections of the Toy Pad.
Game Freezing or Crashing
If the game is freezing or crashing, try the following:
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Ensure your console has sufficient storage space.
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Close any other applications running in the background.
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Update your console’s firmware.
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Reinstall the game.
Missing Content or Download Issues
If you are experiencing issues with missing content or download errors, try the following:
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Ensure you have a stable internet connection.
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Check your console’s download queue.
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Restart your console.
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Contact your console’s support team.
The Legacy of LEGO Dimensions
Even though LEGO Dimensions is no longer actively supported, its impact on the toys-to-life genre and the LEGO gaming landscape remains significant. It introduced a unique blend of physical building and video game interaction, bringing together diverse franchises in a way that had never been seen before. The game’s open-world hubs and character interactions provided a rich and engaging experience, while the expansion packs offered endless possibilities for customization and exploration. While new content is unlikely, the existing game offers countless hours of enjoyment for LEGO fans of all ages. The core gameplay mechanics, the diverse cast of characters, and the charming LEGO humor ensure that LEGO Dimensions will continue to be remembered as a unique and innovative entry in the LEGO video game series.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of how to play LEGO Dimensions. From setting up the Starter Pack to mastering advanced gameplay techniques, you now have the knowledge to embark on your own LEGO Dimensions adventure. Embrace the creativity, explore the diverse worlds, and have fun building and playing!
What makes LEGO Dimensions unique compared to other LEGO video games?
LEGO Dimensions distinguishes itself through its unique blend of physical LEGO building and video game interaction. Unlike other LEGO games that primarily rely on digital construction and gameplay, Dimensions requires players to physically build LEGO figures and vehicles and then place them on the LEGO Toy Pad, which then imports them into the game. This integration of the physical and digital worlds provides a novel and immersive experience, making it a standout title in the LEGO gaming franchise.
Beyond the physical toy integration, LEGO Dimensions also features a complex and interconnected narrative. The game brings together characters and worlds from a vast array of popular franchises, including DC Comics, Back to the Future, Doctor Who, and The Lord of the Rings. This allows for unique character interactions and storylines not found in other LEGO games, creating a truly diverse and exciting adventure.
What is the LEGO Toy Pad and how does it work?
The LEGO Toy Pad is the central hub for interacting with the LEGO Dimensions game. It’s a physical platform that connects to your gaming console and features three distinct sections, each capable of detecting and communicating with LEGO Toy Tags placed upon them. These Toy Tags are special bases that are attached to the physical LEGO figures and vehicles that you build.
The Toy Pad’s technology allows the game to recognize which character or vehicle is placed on each section and then import that respective character or vehicle into the game world. Furthermore, the Toy Pad’s sections light up and can be manipulated during gameplay. Players may need to move figures between sections, change their positions, or even rebuild their physical forms to solve puzzles and progress through the game.
What are the different types of LEGO Dimensions packs available?
LEGO Dimensions offered a variety of expansion packs to enhance the gameplay experience. These included Starter Packs, Level Packs, Team Packs, and Fun Packs, each offering different levels of content and characters to add to your game. The Starter Pack was the essential starting point, providing the base game, the LEGO Toy Pad, and a selection of initial characters.
Level Packs provided new levels to explore, along with a character and vehicle. Team Packs included two characters and two vehicles, offering a wider range of abilities and gameplay options. Fun Packs offered a single character and a vehicle or gadget, allowing players to expand their roster of playable characters with specific skills and abilities. Each pack introduced new franchises and content, adding to the overall richness and replayability of LEGO Dimensions.
How can I utilize character abilities effectively to solve puzzles?
LEGO Dimensions characters possess unique abilities that are crucial for solving the game’s many puzzles. Some characters might have abilities like hacking computers, fixing broken objects, or using super strength to break down walls. Others may have the power of invisibility or the ability to shrink themselves to access small areas. Understanding each character’s capabilities is essential for efficient puzzle solving.
To effectively utilize these abilities, pay close attention to the clues and hints provided within the game environment. Often, specific objects or areas will indicate which character’s abilities are needed to progress. Experiment with different character combinations and abilities until you find the right solution. Remember that some puzzles may require you to use multiple characters’ abilities in conjunction with one another.
Can I play LEGO Dimensions without purchasing additional expansion packs?
While the Starter Pack provides a substantial amount of gameplay, offering a complete story mode and access to a variety of worlds, the full potential of LEGO Dimensions is best realized with additional expansion packs. The Starter Pack’s characters and vehicles allow you to access the game’s core levels, but certain areas and challenges are specifically designed for characters from the expansion packs.
Without these additional characters and their unique abilities, some areas will remain inaccessible and certain puzzles unsolvable. Therefore, while you can definitely play and enjoy LEGO Dimensions with just the Starter Pack, purchasing expansion packs significantly expands the gameplay possibilities and unlocks the full range of content available in the game.
What are the advantages of combining characters from different franchises?
One of the most exciting aspects of LEGO Dimensions is the ability to combine characters from drastically different franchises. This crossover element allows for humorous and often unexpected interactions, as well as unique problem-solving opportunities. Characters from different universes often possess abilities that complement each other, creating powerful synergies when used in tandem.
For example, pairing a character with technological expertise, such as Doc Brown from Back to the Future, with a character possessing brute strength, like Superman from DC Comics, can unlock new solutions to complex puzzles. The game actively encourages experimentation and creativity, rewarding players for finding innovative ways to combine the strengths of different characters. This cross-franchise interaction is a key element that distinguishes LEGO Dimensions from other LEGO games.
Is LEGO Dimensions still playable despite being discontinued?
Although LEGO Dimensions is no longer actively supported with new content or updates, the game remains entirely playable. If you own the game and the necessary LEGO Toy Pad, you can still access all of the content you have purchased, including the Starter Pack and any expansion packs. The single-player and cooperative multiplayer modes are fully functional, allowing you to continue exploring the game’s worlds and solving its puzzles.
While you may not be able to purchase new expansion packs directly from LEGO or official retailers, they can often be found on the secondary market through online marketplaces or used game stores. As long as you have the physical LEGO figures and vehicles, along with the LEGO Toy Pad, you can still enjoy the unique blend of physical and digital gameplay that made LEGO Dimensions so popular.