The world could use more party games, especially ones that full couch co-op. In an increasingly isolated world, it's a blast to get together with a few friends and just let loose. Typically, Mario Party is the outlet for that sort of celebration. But a new challenger emerges: LEGO Party, which is coming later this year to PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.

We had a chance to check the game out live on the showfloor at Summer Games Fest (SGF), and, as expected, based on the trailer, it was a blast. With 60 minigames, customizable maps, and 300 avatars, it makes some big promises in of replayability.

LEGO Party Is A Little Wackier Than Mario Party

In True Lego Fashion, You Can Build Parts Of Each Map

LEGO Party is from the Australia-based SMG Studios: the multiplayer masters behind sillier and carefree tone that a lot of folks are going to vibe with.

Just like many other party games, you'll move across a board game-like map by rolling a dice and collect currency that will help you eventually win the game, and be crowned champion. Each round you'll partake in a minigame, and the winner of that battle will earn the most currency, and go first in the subsequent rolling phase. Thus far, pirate, Ninjago, and space-themed boards have been confirmed, all of which have different layouts and themes.

One huge mechanic that LEGO Party uses that no other major party game has implemented is map customization. In our demo session (which consisted of six full rounds), we were given the option at various points to build different objects (like a canon or a pirate ship) and alter the map. The key to this concept is that the first player who enters specific areas will get the choice of what to build. So there's a lot more agency to LEGO Party than just aimlessly moving around the board.

Having other players influence and jeer the choices made the game a lot more fun, because while one player technically is the sole decider of said customization, everyone had an opinion of what they should create. Minigame choice is similar, as four options are always presented, and the one with the most votes (including a random option) dictates what everyone will be playing. Duel minigames are also present, with a randomized 2v2 focus. There's a constant sense of chaos and togetherness that a lot of other genre games can't match. SMG did a great job of making everything feel like a group effort in LEGO Party.

I Think Families Are Going To Really Enjoy LEGO Party

There's Lots Of Customization

There are a lot of similarities to Mario Party of course. Instead of collecting Stars, you're trying to grab as many Golden Bricks as possible to win the game by the final round. Rather than coins, you're acquiring studs by winning minigames and exploring the map. You'll use studs to buy power-ups from shops, as well as Golden Bricks from a traveling vendor that moves around the map. A lot of party games have used that tried and true formula, but it always comes down to the execution, and LEGO Party, so far, is nailing it.

Another unique aspect of LEGO Party is in its avatar customization. There's 300 figures to choose from, but you can also fully customize your avatar with individual pieces, for roughly 900 combinations. Rather than choose a named character, our session had people pick avatars based on their personalities, and it was a great icebreaker for the match. Of course, this system runs the risk of exuding less personality than party games where you pick a character with unique sound effects and animations, but LEGO Party makes up for that in other ways.

The general theme of LEGO Party is much more casual than a lot of other games I've played in the genre. There are no bonus "Stars" at the end of a match, which leads to a lot of hectic turns, especially toward the climax of the game. Players who win minigames will be at less of an advantage than other party staples, mostly due to the unpredictability of the map. In our session, one player went from fourth to second in the final round: which isn't uncommon in games like this, but it was a huge shift that our group took in stride.

Naturally, a lot of these ideas aren't going to gel with everyone. But as someone who really loves party games, I'm open to new interpretations, and I think a lot of families are going to get hooked due to the LEGO connection alone. As is the case with any party game (even in Nintendo's catalog), I'm cautiously optimistic. From what I've seen, LEGO Party has the makings of a family game night hit.