Ninjago console game

[gamejutzu]

If they are going to make a Ninjago game for consoles, then I for one would like to see some special changes happen to the way these games work as a whole. I'm not saying things like "no building at all" or something (although it could work in Ninjago's case since the TV show features no building. Or Lego.)

Things like a third person closeup view and the use of cards could work (cards are at bottom of screen, cycle through with touchpad).also the game is obviously going to have fighting, so they should pay more attention to that. Also free roam.

How do you feel about these ideas? If you agree or would like to share some of your own ideas, very please let me know what you think.

Edited October 15, 2015 by Phred

[Peppermint_M]

Hi, while this is Ninjago's subforum home, videogames go in Culture and Multimedia. I'll move it over there.

[gamejutzu]

What I mean is, If LEGO does this, they can have unique games again. LEGO games are LEGO games because almost the same thing is being done in each game these days. The reason everyone didn't like games like Ronin and Nindroids, was because they did things that would never happen in the actual show.

A real ninjago game would feature almost no building at all. Boss battles wouldn't be fight horde of enemies that are beaten with two hits, boss comes down, hit boss once, boss gets back up on unreachable platform, and repeat. That's not what happens in the show. The ninja find their opponents weakness (like Kai vs Ash) and then beat the baddie by actually fighting him. Sure, not all the bosses need to be beaten by attacking them directly, But what iv'e just described happens in almost every LEGO game boss fight. The makers don't really try anything new.

They can make this game really unique by letting players use in-game currency to get attack and defense cards(like spinjitzu smash). And they could even make some unique fighting controls. And of course it would be unusual for LEGO to make such a game, but that's because they aren't really seen trying much new things.

Edited November 8, 2015 by gamejutzu

[Aanchir]

What I mean is, If LEGO does this, they can have unique games again. LEGO games are LEGO games because almost the same thing is being done in each game these days. The reason everyone didn't like games like Ronin and Nindroids, was because they did things that would never happen in the actual show.

Who says everyone didn't like those? Nindroids was not well-received because it didn't innovate much from the standard LEGO formula, but Shadow of Ronin (which integrated several new game mechanics and told an original story) seemed to get fairly good reviews, and my brother and I loved it. Both games were different from the show, but I don't see how that's a problem since they were not trying to be exactly like the show, nor should they necessarily have been.

I think eliminating LEGO building from future LEGO Ninjago games would be an incredibly bad move. The show is not by any means the limit of what people expect from a LEGO Ninjago game. After all, the Star Wars movies don't include a lot of actual building, but that doesn't mean that the building in the LEGO Star Wars games seems wrong or out-of-place. In fact, one of the frequent criticisms of LEGO games in general is that they don't include enough LEGO building.

There's nothing wrong with including game mechanics that are NOT reflective of the TV show as long as you also include enough game mechanics that ARE reflective of the TV show, like Spinjitzu, the Tornado of Creation, vehicle and mecha combat, and the characters' elemental powers.

[gamejutzu]

I think eliminating LEGO building from future LEGO Ninjago games would be an incredibly bad move. The show is not by any means the limit of what people expect from a LEGO Ninjago game. After all, the Star Wars movies don't include a lot of actual building, but that doesn't mean that the building in the LEGO Star Wars games seems wrong or out-of-place. In fact, one of the frequent criticisms of LEGO games in general is that they don't include enough LEGO building.

There's nothing wrong with including game mechanics that are NOT reflective of the TV show as long as you also include enough game mechanics that ARE reflective of the TV show, like Spinjitzu, the Tornado of Creation, vehicle and mecha combat, and the characters' elemental powers.

Thank you for replying!

You make a very good point. But the thing is, we don't have game mechanics that are reflective of the show. I always felt that spinjitzu shouldn't be done with a meter, more like anytime, but with the player is given an actual reason not to spam it, like some enemies are immune, or you won't get xp to get upgrades necessary to progress. The tornado of creation should only be done in certain situations, or else... Seriously?

Every vehicle used in the games, are an on-rails simulator. And it might be because since the games are made for handheld, so that's forgiven. But once the platform availability expands, you should be able to either get one, or create one anytime you are in an open space. Mechs should be used like the Batmobile from Arkham Knight, used to solve puzzles you can't.

The character's powers weren't done correctly in the last game. All you could do is shot a beam. And Cole could carry rocks. The designing team should be more creative next time. Or use a different team. What I mean is, maybe metal could conduct Jay's lightning, or Cole can use some sort of underground detection thing to find hidden things.

And you are correct, they should use mechanics that aren't from the show. How cool would it be to buy in-game cards, and select a powerful one from your deck at the bottom of the screen, and cause some major damage.

I'm not trying to burn you, or anyone, much less make everyone agree with me. But It would be cool if you did. But I personally think that the Ninjago series has a lot of work ahead of it if wants to be separable from the generic Lego game, and earn a review score of more than 7.

Edited October 26, 2015 by gamejutzu

[gamejutzu]

Speaking of Ninjago video games, Lego dimensions screws up the same way Shadow of Ronin did, by using other actors instead of the most known ones from the show. What's the deal? How can they get the voice of GLADOS, Dr. Who and the several more, but not the ones from the show?

The weird thing is, the songs in the game has the same actor singing it, and they got another one to do the voice of the character. Are they under contract or something?

I've only heard people complaining about it, not discussing it, so I haven't seen it anywhere. If you know why, don't leave me in the dark

[gamejutzu]

I found a quote from a digital product specialist from LEGO:

We are sorry to hear that you weren't happy with the voice over in the game, I certainly understand why that was so disappointing. We try to keep all of the original character voices in the game but sometimes they simply aren't available to do so. I'm told that Zane was too busy fighting with Lord Garmadon and saving Ninjago City to stop in and lend us his voice for the game. I'll certainly let him know of your disappointment.

So, they simply weren't available for Shadow of Ronin, Nindroids and now Dimensions...

K.

I actually think it's a good thing they were not voicing them as well. The show's actors should voice a game that is worthy of their voices being used.

Like say, a primarily action-adventure game that focuses on the adventures of season 2 of Ninjago, as the serpentine are a very diverse enemy and can be beaten in special ways. There is also lots of exploration to be done as well. I mean, in levels (free camera) like Arkham City, not just one giant hub like Lego Marvel. Examples are the Birchwood Forest, Ouroboros, and A small portion of Ninjago City.

[Lind Whisperer]

Well, if you aren't a fan of LEGO's current offerings, why not try and start up a team for creating a fan-made game? There's a plethora of resources out there for it, and I'm sure you could find at least a small team of (skilled) fans willing to join up and help out.

[The Lego Nolan]

Well, if you aren't a fan of LEGO's current offerings, why not try and start up a team for creating a fan-made game? There's a plethora of resources out there for it, and I'm sure you could find at least a small team of (skilled) fans willing to join up and help out.

I know someone made a few levels of a Lego doctor who game. Therese gameplay on YouTube.

[gamejutzu]

why not try and start up a team for creating a fan-made game? There's a plethora of resources out there for it, and I'm sure you could find at least a small team of (skilled) fans willing to join up and help out.

I know someone made a few levels of a Lego doctor who game. There's gameplay on YouTube.

Making a proper action and adventure game is (I am assuming) much harder than a Lego level, since there is a free camera, more in-game buyable content (weapons) and more animations (more improvised combat) and more puzzle solving than automatic Lego building. And, I can't game-make. Yet. Sounds cool though.

See, the game should be based off the canon story. This way, there is much more to do (example, in a game off season 2, you can explore the Bounty, Birchwood forest, Ouroboros, etc.) rather than a regular spin off non-canon tale. I am guessing Lego didn't do this because with the regular Lego formula it would get repetitive. But this way, bosses would be a bit harder to beat and mechs can puzzle solve like the Arkham Knight batmobile.

I actually think it's a good thing they were not voicing them as well. The show's actors should voice a game that is worthy of their voices being used.

Yep, that came out wrong. I'm not that kind of person.

If anyone likes, I can post a few things I have in mind like controls and shop (weapons, cards, character upgrades), as well as abilities.

Edited November 8, 2015 by gamejutzu

[Lind Whisperer]

Making a proper action and adventure game is (I am assuming) much harder than a Lego level, since there is a free camera, more in-game buyable content (weapons) and more animations (more improvised combat) and more puzzle solving than automatic Lego building. And, I can't game-make. Yet. Sounds cool though.

That's why I suggested starting a team. Very few people can make a game by themselves, but a team can do surprising things.

See, the game should be based off the canon story. This way, there is much more to do (example, in a game off season 2, you can explore the Bounty, Birchwood forest, Ouroboros, etc.) rather than a regular spin off non-canon tale. I am guessing Lego didn't do this because with the regular Lego formula it would get repetitive. But this way, bosses would be a bit harder to beat and mechs can puzzle solve like the Arkham Knight batmobile.

What about a game based on one of the graphic novels? They exist alongside the canon story, and although I've only read the Amazon samples, they don't seem to contradict anything.

(Yes, I do have a particular one in mind, that'd make an excellent adaption to game format...)

[gamejutzu]

What about a game based on one of the graphic novels? They exist alongside the canon story, and although I've only read the Amazon samples, they don't seem to contradict anything.

The first three books were great. Each ninja had a small solo story and a few characters shined and had their moments (Like when Cole kicked through a pinkish material only to find it was sugar). But the thing is, making a game off one of the books is probably not a good idea. Those are much smaller than a normal graphic novel is, thus less playtime/story. They were still really good.

But why must it be off the graphic novels in the first place? It could work if main story elements from the first 3 were added (they were untold and they actually worked unlike other games with an "untold" story) but wouldn't the show be better?

The pros here are that instead of spending 2 seconds inside a tomb, like is in the show, you can check out everything as long as you want. In the comics you are in an unfamiliar location most of the time and it may not be the most interesting place. And also, more length in 13 episodes, so more adventure.

The only con really is the cutscenes and visuals. I'd like if the same people who make the show could make cutscenes for the game (Wilfilm it was called?), since i'd like the game itself to have the same visuals as the show, to really feel the part (playing through the show) As a bonus, you can either play through the season as it was, or choose differently in what the player does (The choice isn't directly given to you, meaning the 2 paths are not in the open) and rewrite Ninjago's history as a fun little what-if some people are curious to know. Like instead of doing this, do this. But the choice isn't told to the player.

That's why I suggested starting a team. Very few people can make a game by themselves, but a team can do surprising things.

So, if this team were to be formed, I would direct? Since I am not very talented in this field.

Yes, I do have a particular one in mind, that'd make an excellent adaption to game format...

Like a game feature? What is it? Maybe it's even one of the features I have in mind...

Edited November 8, 2015 by gamejutzu

[gamejutzu]

By the way, it seems my idea is not the most popular.

What are your ideas for Ninjago when it hits consoles? What features and game mechanics would you have in mind for it?

Simply, what is your dream Ninjago game when it consoles sometime in these next years?

Edited December 11, 2015 by gamejutzu