Dive into a vibrant open world packed with humor, action, and creativity in this thrilling crime-fighting adventure. Developed by TT Fusion and published by Warner Bros.
Interactive Entertainment, this offers an original story within the LEGO universe, placing you in the shoes of master detective Chase McCain.
In this article, you’ll learn everything about the game’s storyline, features, game mechanics, beginner tips, and more perfect for both newcomers and LEGO veterans.
Development and Release of Lego City Undercover
It was initially released in 2013 as a Wii U exclusive, later making its way to Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Windows PC in 2017. The expanded release brought updated visuals, co-op gameplay, and wider accessibility. This game stands out as one of the few LEGO titles to feature a fully original plot, rather than relying on licensed properties.
With TT Fusion at the helm, the game was designed to offer a single-player, story-driven experience wrapped in a light-hearted tone. Combining open-world exploration with the familiar LEGO brick-based destruction and construction mechanics, the game quickly gained recognition for its charm, engaging missions, and family-friendly appeal.
Love quirky, open-world titles with humor and depth? Then titles like Psychonauts 2 and Destroy All Humans! may also pique your interest.
Storyline and Setting of Lego City Undercover
You play as Chase McCain, an undercover cop returning to Lego City to hunt down the infamous criminal Rex Fury. The city is sprawling with secrets, challenges, and side missions as Chase adopts multiple disguises to infiltrate gangs, solve puzzles, and crack the case.
Set in a bustling, living LEGO metropolis, the game features unique districts like the Chinatown-inspired Bluebell National Park and a LEGO-style version of Alcatraz each offering a variety of missions and activities. The storyline is filled with hilarious voice acting, movie references, and unexpected plot twists that keep players engaged from start to finish.
Game Modes in Lego City Undercover
This focuses on narrative but includes a few exciting gameplay modes to expand your experience:
- Story Campaign: Follow Chase McCain’s journey through 15 chapters filled with crime-solving, action, and humor.
- Free Roam Mode: After unlocking regions in the story, explore the open world freely to uncover secrets, collect bricks, and complete bonus missions.
- Co-op Play (Re-release only): Play with a friend in split-screen local co-op, allowing two players to work together to tackle missions and explore Lego City.
Gameplay Mechanics in Lego City Undercover
This game blends traditional LEGO mechanics with fresh elements like disguise-based abilities and third-person exploration:
- Disguise System: Chase can wear different costumes, each offering unique skills like hacking terminals, smashing walls, or grappling to rooftops.
- LEGO Brick Collection: Collect standard and Super Bricks to unlock vehicles, build special structures, and progress in the game.
- Combat and Chase Sequences: Hand-to-hand combat, stealthy infiltration, and high-speed car chases create dynamic mission variety.
- Puzzle Solving: Use different disguises to unlock paths, crack codes, and assemble helpful contraptions from bricks.
- Vehicles and Driving: Over 100 vehicles to collect and drive from sports cars to helicopters, all freely usable in the open world.
If you’re drawn to large sandbox-style exploration, Lego City Undercover provides the same addictive world-building joy seen in titles like Minecraft Legends.
Beginner Tips and Tricks
For a smoother entry into LEGO City’s brick-built world, keep these tips in mind:
- Explore Early and Often: Don’t rush through the story exploring districts will help you collect bricks and discover useful disguises early.
- Switch Disguises Frequently: Each outfit opens new opportunities keep rotating based on your environment and objectives.
- Use the Scanner: Your detective scanner reveals hidden clues, criminals, and secrets—use it often in free roam and missions.
- Break Everything: Destroy objects everywhere for bricks and hidden collectibles—it’s encouraged!
- Buy Vehicle Tokens: Unlock faster vehicles as soon as possible for quicker travel across the map.
Few Important Features of Lego City Undercover
This stands out in the LEGO franchise by combining classic brick-building fun with an original, open-world adventure full of charm and humor.
1) Original Storyline
Breaking away from licensed properties, this LEGO title tells a completely original story centered on Chase McCain, an undercover cop. The plot is packed with witty dialogue, over-the-top scenarios, and memorable characters. It balances parody and genuine storytelling remarkably well. This fresh narrative approach sets it apart from the usual formula of LEGO adaptations.
2) Massive Open World
Lego City is a sprawling metropolis with distinct districts, from bustling downtowns to lush parks and industrial zones. Players can explore rooftops, subways, and hidden caves, each packed with secrets. The open world encourages curiosity, with tons of collectibles and challenges scattered across the map. It’s one of the most ambitious environments in any LEGO game to date.
3) Disguise Mechanic
Chase gains access to multiple disguises, each granting a unique ability such as breaking walls, using grappling hooks, or hacking terminals. This mechanic introduces a sense of progression similar to Metroidvania games. As you gain new disguises, previously inaccessible areas open up, rewarding backtracking. It keeps gameplay fresh and adds strategic depth to exploration and puzzle-solving.
4) Movie Parody References
The game is loaded with hilarious nods to classic movies and TV shows, from The Matrix to Starsky & Hutch and even The Shawshank Redemption. These references are smartly woven into cutscenes and missions, adding a layer of adult-friendly humor. They enhance the game’s comedic appeal without alienating younger players. It’s a treat for pop culture fans.
5) Fun for All Ages
The game’s humor, intuitive controls, and engaging missions cater to a wide audience. Younger players will enjoy the colorful world and easy-to-learn mechanics. Meanwhile, older players will appreciate the clever writing and parodies. There’s enough challenge and charm to entertain across generations. It’s truly a family-friendly experience with universal appeal.
Advanced Exploration Techniques
Looking to 100% the game or uncover every secret? These advanced techniques will help:
- Master the Super Builds: These special constructions unlock important shortcuts and vehicles—prioritize them by collecting Super Bricks.
- Glitch-Based Tricks: Experienced players often use minor jumps or disguise swaps to access out-of-reach locations early.
- Fast Travel Strategy: Unlock vehicle call-in points in every district to avoid backtracking.
- Red Brick Hunting: These rare items unlock cheat abilities use disguise powers creatively to locate them.
Why Lego City Undercover Stands Out
It successfully mixes the open-world appeal of Grand Theft Auto with the lighthearted, family-friendly charm of LEGO. It breaks the mold of franchise-based LEGO games by offering a truly unique experience with high replay value, making it a hidden gem for all audiences.
The freedom to explore, the depth of disguises, and a witty storyline ensure that Lego City Undercover remains engaging and memorable long after the credits roll.
System Requirements
If you’re playing on PC, here’s what you’ll need for a smooth experience:
- OS: Windows 7/8/10 (64-bit)
- Processor: Intel Core i5-760 or AMD Phenom II X4 965
- Memory: 4 GB RAM
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 or AMD Radeon HD 5850
- DirectX: Version 11
- Storage: 18 GB available space
Lego City Undercover offers a delightful mix of open-world adventure, detective work, and LEGO-style creativity. It’s a must-play for anyone who enjoys lighthearted storytelling, dynamic missions, and endless exploration.
Whether you’re solving crimes, driving crazy vehicles, or simply smashing every object in sight, there’s always something fun around the corner in LEGO City.
