Lego Friends (2013 video game)

Lore & Background

Lego Friends is a 2013 Lego-themed social simulation game developed by TT Games and Hellbent Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. In the game, the player assists the residents of Heartlake City by completing different activities, developing friendships with other characters, and unlocking items. The game is based on the Lego toy line of the same name and differs from previous Lego video games by omitting combat in favor of exploration and social simulation elements.

Reader's Guide

Lego Friends was announced on 14 May 2013 through a press release. It was developed by TT Games in partnership with Canadian studio Hellbent Games, previously responsible for the Lego Battles and Lego Battles: Ninjago games on the Nintendo DS. The game was released for the Nintendo 3DS on 12 November 2013 in North America and 29 November 2013 in Europe, for the Nintendo DS on 8 April 2014 in North America and 11 April 2014 in Europe, and for iOS on 31 July 2014. An Android version was also released. Reception was mixed: Nintendo Life criticized its repetitive gameplay, controls, frame rate, and loading times, but noted satisfactory voice acting and colorful visuals. Financial Post spoke more positively, acknowledging its simplicity but praising its accessibility and diversity for young girls. Nintendojo panned the game for repetition and loading times, and expressed disappointment with the underutilization of minigames.

Did You Know?

• Lego Friends was developed by TT Games and Hellbent Games.
• The game omits combat in favor of exploration and social simulation.
• Completing tasks increases the 'friendship level' with characters, with 'true friendship' as the main objective.
• Lego studs serve as currency, earned through playing minigames.