Apparently, at some point in time, a LEGO Civilization game was in development. It never made it to release, and most people didn’t even know it existed until a leaked Nintendo Switch dev kit revealed a prototype menu screen that showed a golden LEGO minifig in front of icons of progress like rockets, castles, pyramids, and more. A LEGO-style spin on Sid Meier’s Civilization series sounds wild at first, but it genuinely makes sense. And the fact that it was scrapped feels like a missed opportunity.
The leaked dev kit shows a LEGO game, Civilization-inspired, but for a younger, more casual audience, possibly with a LEGO Dimensions-style twist that would incorporate iconic figures and time periods in a brickified strategy format. Not only does that idea hold up under scrutiny, but it’s actually a concept publishers could revisit now, especially with LEGO doubling down on game collaborations in recent years.
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The Strategy Genre Is Ready for LEGO
The classic Civilization gameplay loop, starting with basic tech and growing a society into the modern age, has always been deep but slow. That model is ripe for simplification, especially for younger players or casual gamers who want a taste of strategy without 12-hour sessions. Games like Civilization Revolution already proved there’s a demand for a streamlined Civ experience.
LEGO could have taken that blueprint and made it accessible, colorful, and hilarious. According to Reddit user Thevoid2YT and others in the r/legogaming community, the prototype was unplayable, and it would crash instantly, but giving it a second chance wouldn’t be a bad idea now. A LEGO version of Civilization wouldn’t just be a gimmick either, since LEGO is, at its core, about building structures, worlds, and ideas. If players can combine that with turn-based strategy, minifig leaders, and humorous scenarios (“Abraham Lincoln has discovered Banana Farming!”), the game would certainly have an appeal.
A Lego Civilization Game Could Be an Onboarding Ramp for Younger Audiences
Based on the leaked assets and community speculation, this wasn’t just a joke side-project either. Therefore, if the game ends up being actualized, it could easily serve as a gentle onboarding ramp for younger audiences into the broader world of strategy games. What’s more frustrating is that this project emerged during a window where LEGO was experimenting with more ambitious gaming tie-ins.
With LEGO Horizon Adventures, LEGO Fortnite, and Mario crossovers, the brand clearly isn’t afraid to dip into other genres. So, while a LEGO 4X game might’ve sounded like a stretch 10 years ago, it doesn’t sound like one now. On the contrary, now’s exactly when this concept could thrive, and it’ll be even better if it’s on Switch 2 with multiplayer options.
Civilization X LEGO Wasn’t a Bad Idea, It Might Just Have Surfaced Ahead of Its Time
The low-quality graphics in the leaked menu image hint that this is from a couple of years ago, and so it appears that this was an ahead-of-the-curve idea that just needed the right timing and team. With modern hardware, cross-platform ecosystems, and a player base that spans multiple generations, this could absolutely work today.
Whether it leans more into Civilization-lite mechanics or something entirely new, the core concept remains strong. Plus, in a landscape where franchises are constantly being rebooted and reimagined, there’s no reason a LEGO Civilization game shouldn’t deserve a second chance, and hopefully, with the proper team and objective this time.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 79 /100 Critics Rec: 77%
- Released
- February 11, 2025
- ESRB
- Everyone 10+ // Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Mild Language, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes
- Developer(s)
- Firaxis Games
- Publisher(s)
- 2K
WHERE TO PLAY
- Genre(s)
- Grand Strategy, Turn-Based Strategy, 4X
