It really makes me sad to see LEGO further dilute itself with movie tie-ins. I remember when LEGO stood for fun, creative, imaginative output with physical objects. Now it just rehashes already cliche films. :(

Absolutely. I have fond memories of Lego Racers and Lego Island from back in the day. In fact, I did enjoy Lego Star Wars: The Complete Saga, but it was clearly beginning to get stale even within that game. Since then, Traveller's Tales has run it into the ground, essentially re-releasing it with several re-skins. I figure that eventually, as with the equally overpopulated rhythm genre, people will grow bored and these Lego film games will drop out of the regular schedule.

Is the rhythm game really overpopulated though? If you're just looking at them as videogames as I used to do then sure, I could see how that conclusion is reached. But as music games, there aren't too many at all. Each game has different set lists of music that appeals to different people with different tastes, they aren't really "sequels" to one another as they are different albums. I doubt anyone buys every single game, they buy the ones with the music they want to hear and play. Is the pop music genre overpopulated because there are so many singers and groups out there?

Perhaps these Lego games are the same way. If you look at them all as a series of sequels, sure, there are too many. But if you see each one as a part of its licence, they each appeal to a different fanbase, one of the featured movie(s) and not necessarily the Lego branding.

The LEGO games appeal to kids, selling very well (LEGO HP was in the top 10 NPD for two months, I think) and it's also a good way to get a competent game based off of a popular franchise.

I mean, look at the LEGO Harry Potter game. It got pretty good reviews, sold very well, and was, on all accounts, a good game. It didn't rewrite the franchise, but it was another solid entry in the LEGO Based On A License franchise.
Meanwhile, look at the Harry Potter 7 movie game. It's apparently a steaming pile of crap.

So, in conclusion, these games might not be for us, but it's a fantastic way for fans of these franchises to get a good game based on something they adore.

Not to mention these games help the bottom line so they can make more Lego sets. It seems like a win-win to me. The problem isn't the Lego license, it is that the formula in these games need to be shaken up.

They were shaken up a little with Lego HP. It added more of an exploratory element to it.

Except all of those physical sets are lame movie tie-ins nowadays as well! :(

I'll be honest with ya'll... I love the Pirates of the Caribbean series, and I am actually excited for this title. Is the Lego franchise being milked so dry that the milk that comes out is powder milk? Hell yes. But finally, the Lego series tackles a franchise I love to death I I will be there day one for this title.

Hey, I don't mind the movie tie-ins continuing, either.  I have a kid that will probably be playing games with me very soon, and I'm sure he'll love it.  My wife and I actually frequently play LEGO versions Star Wars and Indiana Jones when we play together.  We have yet to try Harry Potter.

Honestly, Pirates of the Carribean seems as if it would fit well in the LEGO game universe.

I'm still waiting for LEGO LOTR to tie in with the (eventual?) release of The Hobbit.

One thing to keep in mind about this licensing is that Lego was struggling a few years back, in order to stay afloat they about have to find other revenue streams which include licensing deals. At one point during the late 90s, early 2000s they were a sinking ship, and there was even fear of them going bankrupt which would be a tragedy. If letting their license be used for video games can keep them a float to create physical lego toys I am all for it. Besides the games help advertise the toys, and vice versa.

I think that LEGO has largely lost their way however. Their sets aren't what they used to be. There's little imagination in the themes, and too many specialty parts that server no other purpose than to build specific sets. I have tubs and tubs full of LEGOs sitting under my bed. I haven't touched them in about a decade, but they're there. Kids nowadays probably wouldn't know what to do with most of the mundane pieces that I used to create vast cities out of. That saddens me. They're being pigeonholed due to these movie licenses, both in the lack of practical physical pieces, but also in the way that the story has already been laid out for their creations.