LEGO Fortnite Makes a Great Case for a LEGO Island Revival

LEGO Fortnite is another example of LEGO deviating from Traveller’s Tales, coming right off the heels of LEGO 2K Drive. Its success and concepts could easily inspire a return to LEGO’s gaming roots, and LEGO Fortnite may already be heading in the direction of a blueprint.

Since the original LEGO Star Wars game in 2005, LEGO pivoted hard toward the 3D puzzle-platformer style of Traveller’s Tales. The formula seen in that 2005 title has remained more-or-less unchanged for about 17 years, with dozens of IPs represented by this type of game up to 2022’s Skywalker Saga. After mass reports of crunch at the studio in 2022, LEGO has ended its track record of exclusivity with Traveller’s Tales—taking its game development plans to other places. Now, 2K and Epic have gotten a chance to take those beloved bricks for a spin, and there are many other parties fans would love to see get a turn.

LEGO Fortnite Has Paved The Way For A Lego Island Reboot

In addition to potential new developers, there are many concepts and genres that fans want to see in LEGO form. Now that LEGO 2K Drive has opened up non-licensed games and LEGO Fortnite has made LEGO’s new approach massively popular, many fans would love to see the return of LEGO Island—the very first LEGO videogame. Its choppy graphics, crushed-up sounds, and retro whimsy is a source of fond memories for many who grew up with LEGO. Its 1997 release came at a time when the toy was much simpler, but the charm it established lives on in LEGO media to this day. A modern interpretation of this classic would easily be a hit with kids and adults alike.

LEGO Island Would Mesh Great With LEGO’s Modern Direction

LEGO is catering more and more toward older fans, with recent years seeing it roll out many adult-focused sets—including the hugely desired UCS series of LEGO Star Wars sets. In addition, callbacks to classic themes and remakes of old sets can be found in abundance. What LEGO has yet to do, however, is bring back classic LEGO games—specifically those from before the days of Traveller’s Tales. Whether it’s the tycoon stylings of Legoland or the sandbox of Lego Island, these pre-2005 titles laid the groundwork for what LEGO releases today, and are a source of nostalgia for many.

LEGO Island deserves special mention when considering older LEGO games not only because it was the first, but because of its status to old fans and collectors. Toy incarnations of characters like the Infomaniac sell for huge sums on the second-hand market, and there’s a sprawling collective of fans dedicated to the title’s preservation. There are many grassroots efforts to modify Lego Island and keep it playable on modern hardware, so an official remaster or remake from LEGO would likely be warmly received.

LEGO Fortnite Is Really Setting The Stage For A New LEGO Island

LEGO Fortnite‘s sandbox is a stark change in direction from most of Traveller’s Tales’ LEGO games. Even the open world offerings of prior games don’t come close to the survival-drafting gameplay of LEGO Fortnite. A game without linear story stages is exactly what fans would want from a new LEGO Island, with the classic title embracing the inherent creativity of the iconic plastic bricks.

Moreover, LEGO Fortnite‘s new Creative Islands steps even closer to what a new LEGO Island could look like. That being said, LEGO should ensure that any reboot of LEGO Island is its own product. Fans may be interested in callbacks made through LEGO Fortnite, but a separate project not wrapped up in the ecosystem of that title would really hook older and younger players alike.

Lego Fortnite

LEGO Fortnite is a mode within Fortnite that draws inspiration from Minecraft. You’ll build structures, craft weapons, and upgrade your village to help you survive the monsters that come out at night.

Released

December 7, 2023

Multiplayer

Online Multiplayer

ESRB

E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence

Metascore

N/A