It’s been a longer wait than usual, but Wave 5 for Lego Dimensions has arrived and it’s packed with throwbacks from the 80’s, right up to the present day. Arguably the star of the show is the Ghostbusters (reboot) Story Pack. This is much like the Level Packs that released for Lego Dimensions previously, only this time it comes with a mini-figure and vehicles/weapons, as well as a new Gateway base to build upon your Toy Pad.
The Gateway included in the Ghostbusters (reboot) Story Pack is based on Zhu’s Chinese Restaurant which of course features in the recent movie. You will still need your Toy Pad from the Starter Pack however, as the restaurant will only be in place of the Portal from the Starter Pack. The Ghostbusters (reboot) Story Pack also comes with an Abbey Yates (Melissa McCarthy) mini-figure, the new Ecto-1 which can be rebuilt into the Ectozer and The PerfEcto.
The story included in the pack is also based upon the movie it represents, however as I have not watched the movie, I can’t speak of how closely the game follows its counterpart. But coming from the perspective of someone that appreciates the Lego gaming series, it’s still fun, despite knowing very little about the movie. It also helps that in terms of gameplay, it’s the usual tried and tested formula that we’ve come to expect from the series. What is especially cool is that like all Lego Dimension packs, they can all be used in any Story or Level Pack, giving you the opportunity to play as Bill Murray’s Peter Venkman in the 2016 reboot. Likewise, you can of course use Melissa McCarthy’s Abbey Yates in the original Ghostbusters Level Pack and so forth.
The biggest addition that comes with Wave 5 however, is the inclusion of the new Battle Arena, which brings a local competitive multiplayer component to the series. Sadly the Battle Arena currently cannot be played online, but given that many who play co-op in a Lego game will likely be in the form of having a friend round or in my case, playing against my young son, that won’t be a problem for many. So while not having this mode online offers some restrictions, playing good old couch co-op is something of a rarity nowadays and seems to have that extra magic when the Lego multiverse is concerned. Any Lego Dimensions mini-figures that you own will be compatible in the Battle Arena and with it comes four modes to be played in 2 vs.2 or 3 vs.1. But if you’re short of players, the remaining players will be taken over by the computer A.I. The four modes on offer is Capture the Flag, Objective, Base Bash and Tick, Tag, Boom.
In addition to the Ghostbusters (reboot) Story Pack, we have five new Packs, which include two dedicated to the popular Adventure Time TV series. The Adventure Time packs include both Level and Team Packs. Now I’ll openly admit that I’m not overly familiar with Adventure Time, though I have watched it now and again. But despite this, the Level Pack especially, is a lot of fun. If I’m honest, I prefer it more than the Ghostbusters (reboot) Story Pack, which makes me think it’s a damn shame that we never saw an Adventure Time themed base to place upon the Toy Pad.
The story to the Level Pack involves our hero Finn as he gallivants on a quest to prove his heroicness to Princess Bubblegum and discover the Enchidrion as he battles through such locations as the Dark Magician’s Brain World and the Forest of Mount Cragdor. The Adventure Time Level Pack includes a Finn the Human mini-figure with his trusty sword as well as a “re-buildable” Ancient War Elephant which can be made into a Cosmic Squid and Psychic Submarine. While Jakemobile can be built into Snail Dude Jake and Hover Jake. Sadly, Jake the Dog is not included in the Level Pack, as he can only be acquired by picking up the Team Pack.
The Adventure Time Team Pack comes with four mini-figures/vehicles. As already mentioned, this is the only way you can acquire Jake the Dog in order to join Finn in the Level Pack or any other Lego Dimensions story/level within its multiverse. Along with Jake the Dog, the Team Pack comes with Lumpy Space Princess, and the Lumpy Car, which can be rebuilt into the Lumpy Truck and Lumpy Land Whale. It also comes with BMO, which can be made into the DOGMO and SNAKEMO.
We are also treated to another Level Pack in the form of Mission: Impossible. You play as secret agent Ethan Hunt, who is being framed for a crime that he did not commit (obviously) and you must infiltrate the CIA Headquarters and the American Embassy (to name but two locations) in order to prove your innocence. Thankfully our hero Ethan comes equipped with gadgets galore to right that wrong! As well as the Ethan Hunt mini-figure, the Mission: Impossible Level Pack comes with a 3-in-1 IMF Sports Car and IMF Scrambler. The IMF Sports Car can be rebuilt into the IMF Tank and IMF-Splorer. While the IMF Scrambler can be rebuilt into the ShockCycle and IMF Covert Jet.
Fans of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter will be particularly pleased with the Harry Potter Team Pack, especially with the movie Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them just around the corner. The Harry Potter Level Pack comes with Harry Potter and Lord Voldermort mini-figures, as well as the Hogwarts Express and the Enchanted Car. The Hogwarts Express can be remade into the Steam Warrior and the Soaring Steam Plane. Additionally, the Enchanted Car can be rebuilt into the Shark Sub and the Monstrous Mouth.
Last, but certainly not least, we have the 1980’s throwback that is the A-Team Fun Pack. This pack comes with a B.A Baracus mini-figure and his iconic A-Team van. B.A’s van can be rebuilt into the Fool Smasher and The Pain Plane! Hopefully later down the line we might just get an A-Team Level/Team Pack with the remainder of the A-Team members, we can but hope. Later this month we will be treated to the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Story and Fun Packs. As well as the Sonic the Hedgehog Level Pack, Gremlins Team Pack, as well as the E.T and Adventure Time Fun Packs. I can’t wait and hopefully we’ll get hold of them to review.