Lego Skylines is already looking like a treat, but I suspect the real magic’s in the stuff Paradox won’t talk about just yet

Lego Skylines: More Than Just Bricks and Mortar? A Deep Dive

In many ways, Lego Skylines is exactly what you’d expect: a city builder crafted from the iconic plastic bricks. But beneath the cheerful exterior lies a depth that Paradox Interactive and developer Iceflake Studios are keeping largely under wraps. This hands-on preview reveals a game that aims to be both accessible and surprisingly complex.

First Impressions: A Charming Start

The initial 45 minutes felt like a gentle introduction to the world of Lego city building. As a Master Builder, I arrived by boat on an untouched island, ready to transform it into a thriving community. The game begins with simple tasks: constructing houses from pre-made “prefabs” – traditional suburban homes, range-style abodes, and more. These buildings satisfyingly assemble themselves brick by brick.

Lego Skylines is initially a micro-level city builder, driven by the requests of your Lego citizens. The game’s charm lies in its delightful details: placing Lego plants, lamps, fences, gnomes, hot tubs, and BBQs to decorate gardens. Even dragging-and-dropping roads (made from classic grey plates) feels satisfying.

Beyond the Surface: A City Builder for Adults

The game’s true ambition reveals itself when an Iceflake representative opens up a later map. My adorable little town suddenly explodes into a bustling metropolis, complete with fire engines, police cars, ambulances, and towering skyscrapers.

“This is a cosy city builder, but for adults,” explains Lego Skylines game designer Lasse Liljedahl. “This is not a game for kids; the complexity is too high.” While family-friendly, the game aims to be a real city building experience, albeit with a unique charm.

Players will manage essential services like rubbish collection, recycling, pollution control, and provide education and childcare. They’ll also cater to citizens’ leisure activities and specialize in areas like culture, sport, or science. Transportation, communication (via radio towers), and even elder care are all part of the equation.

Customization: The Missing Piece?

Despite its cheerful veneer, one question lingered: how deep does the customization really go? Can players truly design their own houses, factories, shops, cars, ambulances, monuments, and share those creations?

Lasse Liljedahl remains coy. “This is a Lego game and this is a Paradox game,” he teases. “So it’s very natural that there’s a lot of ability to customise your own city. But there’s a lot we’re not yet showing, so we will come back to those a little bit later.”

If players can truly unleash their creativity and build unique creations, Lego Skylines could be something truly special indeed.