Game Review: LEGO Batman 2

Game Review: LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

By Jennifer Garlen

A follow-up to the original LEGO Batman game released in 2008, LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes brings new characters from the DC universe to Gotham as well as an all-new set of story and free play levels. The game is available on a variety of home and portable systems, including Nintendo Wii, Xbox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo DS, PC, Nintendo 3DS, and Playstation Vita. Although it does have some glitches and inevitable moments of frustration, LEGO Batman 2 turns out to be another entertaining entry in the line of LEGO video game products.Unlike previous LEGO games, Lego Batman 2 relies less on story levels and instead features a large open world component where players can collect special items and unlock playable characters. Special vehicles, citizens in peril, gold bricks, and red bricks that unlock extra abilities are scattered throughout the city of Gotham where players can explore at will. Parents will be relieved to know that the story mode has nothing to do with director Christopher Nolan’s edgy, adult take on the Batman story in “The Dark Knight” film trilogy. Instead, the story focuses on Batman and Robin’s attempts to defeat the Joker and Lex Luthor after the pair release all of the criminals from Arkham Asylum. Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash, and other Justice League heroes eventually show up to help the Dynamic Duo, and other familiar faces from the Batman stories make appearances, too.

Game play picks up once players unlock flying characters, who provide new powers and better access to the huge open environment of Gotham. Until Superman becomes available, however, the city area can be frustrating because so many items are hidden high up on the rooftops of tall buildings. Other special character powers will also make game play easier as they are collected.For DC comic book fans, collecting the extra characters is a highlight of the game, with Martian Manhunter, Black Canary, Batgirl, Supergirl, and other heroes joining a roster of playable villain characters that includes the usual Batman foes as well as General Zod and Captain Boomerang. Annoyingly, a few characters are only available on specific systems, although these are more obscure heroes that only hardcore fans are likely to miss.LEGO Batman 2 players report some minor glitches on gamer forums, including occasional system crashes, but players who are familiar with previous games from Lego and Traveller’s Tales will find this installment less buggy than some of the other releases. Overall, LEGO Batman 2 is a solid addition to the product line and will certainly delight comic book fans of all ages with its incorporation of favorite characters and locations into the game.An earlier version of this review originally appeared on Examiner.com. The author retains all rights to this content.