Brand new LEGO video game announced, in open beta now

A brand new LEGO video game is on the way from Finnish developer Fingersoft, based on the studio’s hit mobile title Hill Climb Racing.

Between them, Hill Climb Racing and its sequel Hill Climb Racing 2 boast more than two billion downloads, and the LEGO Group is now hopping on to that gravy train with LEGO Hill Climb Adventures. The original Hill Climb Racing is a physics-based game that involves navigating two-dimensional terrain, collecting coins and trying to avoid decapitating your driver.

The game ends when you run short on fuel or cause the driver’s head to collide with the ground (achieved by flipping the vehicle over). Players can spend the coins they’ve earned on vehicle upgrades, or to unlock entirely new vehicles – such as a dirt bike, tank or even Santa’s sleigh – and new stages. It’s a pretty simple formula (see it in action here), but it’s within the bounds of simplicity that the best mobile games tend to thrive.

The teaser trailer (above) and early footage for LEGO Hill Climb Adventures present a thematic take on that same gameplay, adding an extra half-dimension of depth to proceedings (you’re still driving your 3D brick-built vehicle from left to right) and completely overhauling the visuals. While the original Hill Climb Racing was praised for its physics engine, it met with criticism for its graphics – a problem the LEGO version looks to solve.

That’s presumably due to the increased budget a company like the LEGO Group can bring to the table, and also to ensure the game meets the standards of other mobile LEGO titles. LEGO Hill Climb Adventures is currently available in open beta on Android in Vietnam and Poland. If you're located in either of those territories, you'll be able to find it by searching in the Google Play Store.

A full release date for LEGO Hill Climb Adventures has yet to be announced, but keep an eye on Brick Fanatics for future updates. The full game will also be available on iOS.

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