Should i smash/destroy everything in this game for LEGO pieces?

[Artur]

this game has tons of ♥♥♥♥ to destroy, smash - should i bother with it?

[markrevell]

Destroying everything in each level and roaming is very tempting when you first start, I know I did. But, after many Lego games, I have a different approach. Without any Red Brick Extras for multipliers and stud-magnet it can be very tedious to get enough to buy everything you come across. Also levels can take an exceptionally long time if you do so. Longer than you might have to devote to the game in one sitting (30-60mins), and if you don't finish a level the game doesn't autosave and allow you to progress to the next.
I suggest you get through each level with as little hanging around to collect studs as possible, maybe try for any clumps of blue or the odd purple, but in general 'speed through the first playing because you are going to have to come back in freeplay anyway to use characters and items you just don't have at first to get a lot of things in each level. Just by getting through you'll earn a decent amount on your total and you can replay the level in freeplay anytime again.
I aim to get through the story playthrough before going off in search for a few Extras, look at a walkthrough guide unless you just want the thrill of random discovery, try for a x2,4,or 6 first, you should have accumulated enough for at least one by just playing through anyway. Once you have a couple of multipliers the stud attractor is very useful, stops you having to run into every stud you create. Next go for as many detectors as you can, they're usually pretty cheap and very useful. By this stage you can pretty much relax for studs and buy all but the most expensive characters. Once you've got all x2,4,6,8,10 there is absolutely nothing you can't afford with a x3840, you get the stud achievement by just appearing in the level and hundreds of million by the end. The awkward choices are Mithril items. First you have to earn enough bricks, then have to find the blacksmiths plans, and then forge them.. Choose carefully, check a guide, and only use the bricks when you need to have a specific item, there are only just enough in the game for all the builds, and some of them are hard to get.

Well that was long-winded.. but good luck and enjoy the game and it's many hours of enjoyment.

Hope this helps :)

[XBL Laberbacke]

Short answer: Sometimes you need stuff from the broken parts to proceed. If you don't know which ones, I guess you have to smash everything.