Lego 2k Drive Xbox Series X Review 7/10 "Is it as good as Mario Kart?" 🏎️ @LEGO_2K_HUB @2K #LEGO2KDrive

Every time a new kart racer comes to market, be it badged as Sonic, Crash Bandicoot, or, somewhat oddly, Garfield, the first question everyone asks is, "Is it as good as Mario Kart?" and the answer, invariably, is no. Lego 2k Drive is the latest to come at the King, and while it does miss, it's a good game in its own right.

At the start of the game, star racer Clutch Racington (yes, that's right) recruits you into the local racing fraternity, with the goal of beating The Bad Guy. He hates you for reasons that are, as far I can tell, never actually explained, which is quite funny. This paper-thin plot is over with quickly and you can get into the nuts and bolts (bricks and blocks?) of the game. 

Like all good kart games, it's completely pick-up-and-play. The controls are easy to master, with even drifting and handbrake turns being easy to pull off. Weapons and power-ups are in ready supply, from webs to slow down your rivals to a portal that teleports you to the front of the pack.

To beat the evil Shadow Z (for that is his name), you need to race through the divisions, collecting wins and completing challenges until you're racing at the top level. Races are track-based, while the challenges take place in a series of four open-world biomes, beginning in Turbo Acres and finishing up in Hauntsborough, with the environment reflecting the name. 

One thing I absolutely loved about the open-world racing is the fact that no matter the terrain, your vehicle type instantly changes to compensate. Drive into a river and your car becomes a boat. Drive off-road and you turn into a buggy. As you unlock, buy or build different vehicle types you can add them to your existing loadout, so you can always have your preferred vehicle ready to go when the time is right.

Ah, yes. Buying vehicles. As you complete various bits of the game you earn Bux, which can be spent in the shop to buy Lego pieces, cars and minifig avatars. Sadly, these don't come cheap, so after hours of playing I'd barely saved up enough for one car. Never fear though, because you can also buy more Bux with real money. And, of course, there's a season pass. For a game marketed at children, this is a real disappointment. I know it's the world we live in, but it still leaves a bad taste. That said, you can grind and grind and grind and get mostly the same stuff, but be prepared to spend an awful lot of time doing it.

SUMMARY

Overall, this is a more than decent kart racing game. The graphics and writing are really reminiscent of the recent Lego movies, so they've nailed the aesthetic. 

The gameplay feels right, with nicely weighty vehicles and controls that do the job, and the frame rate is rock solid. If it wasn't for the microtransactions I'd like it even more, but the kart racing fan in your life will definitely get a lot out of it.