Via Theverge.com:
The Lego Star Wars series has a rich history that extends beyond the source material — an interpretation of the two trilogies that stays both stays true to the films while injecting innumerable visual gags. For its upcoming take on The Force Awakens, the first new Lego Star Wars game since 2011, developer TT Games is trying something new. For starters, the game will explore what happened off-screen, with seven of the games’ 18 “story levels” taking place in the lead-up to Episode VII. How did C-3PO get his red replacement arm? You can read the comic to find out, or you can experience yourself through digital Lego bricks.

The other big change is the addition of voicework from the original cast — both lines from the movie as well new voicework from “key talent” like Daisy Ridley. It’s not a first for the Lego series, but Lego Star Wars has long relied on silent characters pantomiming the familiar scenes.

Last week at GDC, we had a chance to spend some time playing the new Lego Star Wars entry. While there are a few key additions that add variety to the game — notably, a cover system for blaster battles, arena-based dogfighting at key moments, and the chance to build multiple objects out of the same pile of Lego bricks — overall, the Lego Star Wars experience has been preserved.

We also had a chance to sit down with lead story designer Graham Goring to talk about some of the narrative changes for the new title. The interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

What was the decision to include voices in the game. This is a first for Lego Star Wars, yes?

Goring: Well, to the Lego Star Wars series, absolutely, we’ve never had voices. The first games [we did] with voices were Batman 2 and Lego City Undercover.

It’s just the case that we are always trying to do something a bit new with our games. Lego City Undercover was a game where we were telling an original story. Obviously, when you know a film, you can sort of fill in [what the actors are] saying there. With an original story you can’t do that. So we had to do it for that game. And then it just seemed silly to go back from that. It just stuck.

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