LEGO Universe is the new massively multiplayer online game that LEGO launched last month. The gist of the game is that you play an explorer for one of four factions of the Nexus Force, each with their own unique ability: Assembly (building), Sentinels (battling), Venture League (exploring), and Paradox (Maelstrom research). Your goal as a Nexus Force member, is to help the citizens of LEGO Universe battle against the Maelstrom, the "dark-side" force of imagination, intent on spreading destruction and chaos throughout the LEGO Universe.
When I first saw the game I knew it was something that Jesse would love playing, but I didn't think our little old iMac would be capable of running it. Last weekend, when we were at the LEGO Store for the Building Club Meeting, I reviewed the system specs. Turned out all I needed was to upgrade my OS to 10.6.3. Woo hoo! Add in the fact that it was Double VIP Points for all LEGO Store purchases in October, and that we could write off the game as a home schooling expense, and the purchase was a no brainer.
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Once at home, I upgraded the OS, installed the game without any problems, and away we went. One thing to note is that you need a LEGO ID (username/password) to play. If shop and/or use the LEGO site then you should already have one, and you can use this to play LEGO Universe. Otherwise you can create one from within the game itself.
The first thing you do is pick your character's name. You can choose to have a custom name, which will be subject to approval from the game overlords. If you choose to go with a custom name, you also to pick a temporary name from a list of options provided to you. This will be your character's name until your custom name is approved. It seemed like our custom name was approved in no time though.
After that you get to create a custom minifigure that represents your character. Hair, facial features, body, and legs are all customizable from a carousel of parts. Once you're happy with your minifig it's time to go and kick and some Maelstrom butt.
You start the game on a spaceship, the Venture Explorer, where you will be introduced to the dashboard and game play mechanics through a series of simple missions. Once you have completed the missions aboard the Venture Explorer, you build a rocket ship that takes you to Avant Gardens, the entry to rest of LEGO Universe.
Jesse has had a lot of fun playing this so far, and didn't have much trouble learning how to play it. He loves all the different missions, although some have him stumped for now. He also enjoys collecting and buying new LEGO pieces, which allows you to build different creations. We'll keep you posted from time-to-time on how Jesse's ongoing quest to protect the LEGO Universe from the Maelstrom is going.
