PlayStation might be about to suffer another huge loss with the release ofLEGO Horizon Adventures. For a game likeHorizon Adventuresto go in such a drastically different direction to the main titles meant that the game’s potential success was uncertain. Even then,Horizon Adventures' current numbers will certainly not be what Sony, Guerilla Games, or Studio Gobo were hoping for.
This defeat could prove to be devastating for a platform looking to broaden its appeal to players. With the release of more family-friendly titles, and a slew of PC ports for console exclusives, Sony is clearly making a conscious effort to make PlayStation more accessible. Yet, these attempts for accessibility have come with some confusing decisions that have resulted in some major missteps for PlayStation.
The Crossover Doesn’t Appeal To Either LEGO Or Horizon Players
While only having been released for less than a week, the current Steam numbers forLEGO Horizon Adventuresaren’t looking good.SteamDB’s analysis on the game shows thatHorizon Adventuresreached a peak of 602 players at its launch, and the title hasn’t gotten anywhere near that peak since. For context,Concord’s own disastrous release (viaSteamDBagain) still managed to reach a peak of 697 players during the game’s short life-span prior toPlayStation shutting it down. While these numbers don’t reflectHorizon Adventures' sales on PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch, they’re certainly not a good sign.
Lego Horizon Adventures Early Steam Numbers Don’t Tell the Full Story Of Possible Success
Despite a low player count during its Steam debut, Lego Horizon Adventures fans state the title could still be a success on console.
These numbers are certainly disappointing, though they’re not all that surprising.Horizon Adventures’s own baffling premise is a likely cause for the game’s downfall. While LEGO is no stranger to adapting popular franchises,the decision to adapt an IP that’s aimed specifically towards a more mature audience is likely to create confusionfor the younger audience LEGO titles are geared towards.
Horizon Zero Dawn Remasteredhas a poor player countas well.
Horizon Adventuresalso takes the place of an alternative family-friendly title that goes for the same broad appeal while offering something wholly original.Horizon Adventures’s compromise for a more familiar LEGO experience is detrimental as it fails to offer something new, whileHorizonfans are left to feel that the series isn’t receiving the attention or passion it deserves. The game is banking its success on the recognizability of LEGO andHorizon, yet in doing so, the title ends up alienating both audiences it has been made for.
Astro Bot Shows How PlayStation Should Tackle Family-Friendly Games
PlayStation Benefits From More Ambitious Titles
The release ofHorizon Adventuresis even more confusing whenAstro Botwas released just two months prior. This game is a prime example of the family-friendly experiences PlayStation should be offering.Astro Botoozes charmand childlike wonder with every moment of gameplay, making it an ideal experience for younger players. Yet,Astro Botalso sets itself apart with its creativity, taking full advantage of the DualSense’s capabilitiesto give the adorable robot a diverse moveset, while crafting levels that challenge the player to consider the abilities at their disposal.
Astro Botexcels whereHorizon Adventuresfails, as the title actively strives to push the 3D platforming genre forward, thanks to its versatile mechanics and ambitious level design.Astro Botis also more focused on appealing to a wider audience, with a slew of levels that appropriately amp up the difficulty, while the DLC speedrunning levels challenge the expertise of the more experienced players, allowing for a fulfilling experience no matter the player’s ability.Astro Botis far more confident in its identity and mission of a broad appeal thatHorizon Adventuresfailed to demonstrate.
Sony’s Push For PlayStation Network Has Caused Backlash
The huge loss thatLEGO Horizon Adventuresmay cause Sony would only add to a year rife with controversies for the company. Earlier this year, the release of the highly-anticipatedHelldivers 2faced huge backlash as Sony instituted a requirement for PC players to link a PlayStation Network account in order to play the game post-launch. While thePSN requirement was eventually removed, Sony’s decision to do this in the first place remains baffling.
TheHelldivers 2controversy is another example of Sony’s self-sabotage in its mission for larger appeal and accessibility, as the company sets up its own hurdles to achieving its goal.The push for players to link a PSN account is a meaningless barrier that displays a weird contempt from Sony towards players who choose to play PlayStation games on PCrather than console. Sony has yet to learn from this lesson either, forcing players on PC to link a PSN account to play single-player games likeGod of War: Ragnarök, once again punishing players who choose to play on PC.
With the release ofLEGOHorizon Adventures,Concord’s failure, and the PSN debacle, 2024 should serve as a wake-up call for Sony as it continues to make PlayStation more accessible. If the company truly wishes to broaden the appeal of PlayStation, it should ensure all measures are taken to remove potential barriers or cause confusion to the consumer. By delivering a more consistent message over PlayStation’s accessibility, the company could see great success in the future for both console and PC.
