Unlocking the Exciting New Possibilities: The Game-Changing Evolution of LEGO 2K Goooal!

In February 2022, VideoGamesChronicle released an exclusive report announcing that 2K had obtained the LEGO license to create three new LEGO sports games. The first game, a LEGO soccer game developed by Sumo Digital, was initially planned to coincide with the FIFA World Cup and release by the end of 2022. However, it seems that schedules changed, and now LEGO 2K Drive has launched first in May of this year.

As for the leaked LEGO soccer game, its status remained uncertain until recently when a South Korean rating board listed a game called LEGO 2K Goooal!. This listing is seen by the industry as a strong indication that the game is still being developed and will likely be announced soon. While this may not have been the original plan, the early release of LEGO 2K Drive could benefit LEGO 2K Goooal! by allowing the developers to learn from any mistakes and improve upon them.

What LEGO 2K Goooal! Can Learn From LEGO 2K Drive

Announced earlier this year in March and released in May, LEGO 2K Drive received a mixed reception from critics and fans. While outlets like IGN praised the game's vehicle-swapping mechanic and in-depth LEGO vehicle builder, giving it an 8/10, other reviews, such as the one by PC Gamer, scored it a 59/100 and criticized its monetization. Despite varying scores, LEGO 2K Drive offers valuable lessons for the upcoming LEGO 2K Goooal!.

One important lesson that LEGO 2K Goooal! should take from LEGO 2K Drive is to avoid relying too heavily on an open-world formula. While the open-world hubs in LEGO 2K Drive were diverse and enjoyable to explore, the side missions in them were repetitive fetch quests. Considering that an open-world formula may not be the best fit for a soccer game, LEGO 2K Goooal! should prioritize the quality of its campaign mode, multiplayer tournaments, and exhibition matches.

Another important aspect that LEGO 2K Goooal! should consider from LEGO 2K Drive is its pricing strategy. Initially, LEGO 2K Drive was sold at a hefty price of $70. However, in today's market, such a price is typically associated with large-scale AAA first-party games like Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom or Starfield. Although LEGO 2K Drive had put considerable effort into its development, it did not reach the same level as an exclusive first-party title. Consequently, this $70 price tag deterred fans who were looking for a more affordable dose of nostalgia.

Nevertheless, the most crucial takeaway LEGO 2K Goooal! should learn from LEGO 2K Drive is the potential detriment of microtransactions on a game's success. Despite being a $70 game, LEGO 2K Drive launched with both a Season Pass and an in-game store. While the game's vehicle creator received widespread acclaim, the microtransactions significantly hindered the overall experience. Many of the game's best features were locked behind paywalls, leaving players frustrated. Although it may be alluring to include FIFA Packs in LEGO 2K Goooal!, Sumo Digital should resist this temptation.

LEGO 2K Drive is available now for PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.