You're running around Cherry Tree Hills, chasing a clown who just robbed a bank, and you realize something. This game is massive. Like, genuinely huge. Most people think it’s just "GTA for kids," but honestly, Lego City Undercover is a complex beast of collectibles, hidden mechanics, and obscure requirements. If you're looking for Lego City Undercover hints because you’re stuck at 98.2% completion, you aren't alone. It happens to everyone.
The game doesn't hold your hand. Sure, it tells you how to drive a car and how to use the grapple gun, but it stays pretty quiet about the most efficient ways to actually clear the map. Chase McCain has a lot of tools, but the game is notoriously stingy with explaining how certain red bricks or character abilities interact in the open world.
The Secret to Infinite Studs (And Why You Need Them Early)
Most players spend their first ten hours manually smashing every trash can and park bench they see. Stop doing that. It’s a waste of time. You’ve got to prioritize the Stud Multipliers immediately. In the world of Lego City, currency is everything, especially when some of the late-game vehicles and characters cost millions.
Go for the Red Bricks first. Specifically, the x2, x4, and x6 multipliers. When you stack these, the math gets wild. You aren't just getting 12 times the value; they multiply each other. If you have all of them active, a single purple stud—usually worth 10,000—suddenly becomes worth millions. You’ll never worry about buying a police cruiser again. To find these, you’ll need to head to specific areas like the Heritage Bridge or the docks, usually requiring the Rex Fury character to open those orange-handled crates.
Rex Fury is the gatekeeper. You can't get him until the very last mission of the story. This is a crucial Lego City Undercover hint: don't stress about 100% completion until the credits have rolled. You literally cannot access about 30% of the collectibles without Rex’s strength.
💡 You might also like: Finding 5 Letter Words With UO: Why This Specific Combo Tricky
Making Sense of the Data Scanner
The GamePad (or the overlay on newer consoles) is your best friend. But it’s cluttered. One of the best tips I can give you is to use the scan filters. When you're looking for those final Gold Bricks, the map becomes a mess of icons.
- Filter for "City Challenges" first. These are the parkour runs and the vehicle thefts.
- Look for the faint yellow trails. If you see a trail of transparent studs, follow it. It almost always leads to a hidden jump or a rooftop collectible you’d otherwise miss.
- Don't ignore the coffee breaks. It sounds silly, but finding all the coffee break spots is a requirement for the 100% trophy, and they are often tucked away in corners of the map that have no other objectives.
Hidden Disguise Abilities You Probably Missed
Everyone knows the Fireman puts out fires and the Farmer flies with a chicken. But some of the nuances are easy to overlook. For instance, the Astronaut’s teleporter isn't just for fixed pads. If you’re trying to reach a high ledge, sometimes the jetpack—even with its limited fuel—is enough if you jump from the top of a vehicle.
The Robber disguise is actually the most versatile for exploration. Beyond just opening safes, the crowbar is used for a ridiculous amount of environmental puzzles. If you see a door with a blue glimmer, that’s your cue. Also, the Miner’s ability to handle dynamite is essential, but remember that you can actually carry dynamite across district lines if you’re quick enough, though there’s usually a vending machine nearby if you look hard enough.
Navigation Shortcuts
Driving across the city takes forever. Even with the fast travel stations (the Super Builds), it feels slow. Here is a pro tip: use the ferry. Most players forget the ferry exists once they unlock the ability to call in helicopters. However, the ferry transitions between the northern and southern parts of the map much faster than driving through the tunnels or over the bridges.
Also, look for the "Super Build" icons that look like orange footprints. These are usually stunt ramps. Once built, they provide a permanent shortcut that can shave minutes off your travel time when you're cleaning up collectibles in areas like Bluebell National Park.
The Rex Fury Problem
I mentioned him earlier, but it bears repeating because it’s the number one question people ask. "How do I break the crates with the orange handles?" You need Rex Fury. You get him by beating the final boss in the space station and then buying his character token at the police station.
📖 Related: Why Wii Music Still Matters: The Nintendo Experiment Everyone Loved to Hate
Wait.
There is a workaround. If you have the "Super Strength" Red Brick, any character can pull those handles. This brick is found on the roof of the High Court in the Bright Lights Plaza. Getting it early is a total game-changer because it allows you to start collecting Rex-tier items long before you actually finish the story missions.
Combat is Basically a Rhythm Game
Let’s be honest, the combat in Lego City Undercover isn't exactly Dark Souls. But it can be annoying when you’re surrounded by six guys and they keep blocking. The "counter" mechanic is the only thing that matters. Wait for the button prompt above an enemy's head, hit it, and Chase will perform a cinematic throw.
If you want to speed things up, use the Grapple Gun in combat. It instantly ties up most basic enemies, allowing you to walk over and "arrest" them immediately. It’s much faster than punching them four times until they fall over.
Why 100 Percent Completion is Actually Worth It
Most games give you a trophy and a "thanks for playing" message. Lego City gives you a giant, rideable T-Rex. No, seriously. Once you hit 100%, you can spawn a Tyrannosaurus Rex at any vehicle call-in point. It smashes cars, scares NPCs, and is generally the most fun you can have in the game.
To get there, you need to find:
✨ Don't miss: NYT Connections Hints December 15: Why Today’s Grid is Messing With Your Head
- All 450 Gold Bricks.
- All 40 Red Bricks.
- Every single Character and Vehicle token.
- All Super Builds.
It sounds daunting. But if you focus on one district at a time, it’s manageable. Start with Lady Liberty Island. It’s small, self-contained, and gives you a good feel for the density of the secrets.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Session
If you’re loading up the game right now, here is exactly what you should do to stop spinning your wheels.
- Check your Red Brick list. If you don't have the "Collect Guide Studs" brick, go get it. It draws a literal purple line to your next objective, which saves hours of staring at the mini-map.
- Finish the "High Speed Chase" mission. This unlocks the ability to use sirens, which makes NPCs pull over. It sounds minor, but traffic in this game is a nightmare when you’re trying to hit a Gold Brick time trial.
- Visit the police station basement. Spend your studs on the multipliers before you buy anything else. Don't buy the fancy sports cars yet. They look cool, but the multipliers are an investment that pays for the cars ten times over.
- Look up. So many collectibles are hidden on the sides of buildings using the "Color Gun" triggers. If you see a silver statue, it needs to be painted gold. If you see a flower pot, it needs to be watered.
The game is a massive playground. Don't rush it, but don't play inefficiently either. Use these Lego City Undercover hints to bypass the fluff and get straight to the rewards. You've got a city to save, and a T-Rex to unlock.