A strange little side quest
The mechanics around Lego Adventures have roots that stretch far beyond modern browsers. Sonic the Hedgehog launched in 1991 and turned speed itself into a defining platform-game mechanic. The timeline takes another interesting turn: Early computer role-playing games helped turn rules, inventories, exploration and character progression into systems that could support long-form digital adventures. It is a good reminder that simple game mechanics can carry a surprising amount of history.
