Well, Well, Well, the Bat is back! LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is the latest game in the LEGO franchise, and it is a cracker! Now the question isn’t whether you should get this game or not. The real question is, why haven’t you got it already? Released across all platforms and in multiple versions, with the deluxe version coming with some extra cosmetic packs. As well as the upcoming Mayhem Collection, a DLC expansion is being released in September.
Let the games begin!
The LEGO Games are always a lot of fun, and this one is no different. With plenty to do, let’s dive into the review and see just what it’s all about.
Gameplay
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a game that covers all of the big moments throughout the Batman franchise. With plenty of nostalgia and those trademark LEGO Game moments. In the first level, you play a young Bruce Wayne, and eventually, you fall into that pesky well with the bats. This changes the course of Bruce’s life forever. You then nip off to go and do some training before returning to Gotham to become the hero that they needed.
Each moment of playing through the game was absolute joy, unlocking new characters, new vehicles, and new outfits. All of these things, all add to an amazing experience that any LEGO fan will enjoy. The majority of the game is made up of travelling between the Batcave and a location within Gotham. With so much road space to drive around, you can get lost quite easily. Thankfully, as you travel around, you get the opportunity to stop at small police calls. It might just be stopping someone from getting mugged, but it’s all great fun.
I rolled the credits, and I have to say that the story was great. It covered so much Batman lore, as well as pivotal story moments and some of those epic set pieces. Think The Joker walking away from the hospital. Thankfully, in that situation, it’s not overly violent, and it’s just paint that escapes from the windows. Now add in great lines from pretty much every Batman film, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is, in my eyes, an instant classic!
Collectables
What LEGO game would it be without a whole host of collectables to discover? My favourite one is the outfits, you unlock one with each level you complete, and later in the story, you can buy them from a shop. There are a bunch of others to get on each level. There is always a secret item that you have to destroy, in some levels it’s a duck, in others it might be a glitter ball. Whatever it is, you find 5, and then you can unlock the item to display in the Batcave. You also have a red brick hidden in the level. This brick allows you to modify the look and behaviour of a vehicle or a suit. Changing the colours of the Batmobile to a bright green monstrosity is both funny and ironic. After all, Batman only works in black, or very, very dark grey.
You also have Wayne Tech microchips, which are used for upgrading your tech and can be found in caches throughout the levels and Gotham. Each area of Gotham has a specific number of these to find on your travels. Out in the world is a large number of things to find. The bat symbol was a difficult one to find; they pop up when you least expect them. Normally hidden from the main streets, it encourages exploration over linearity. Thankfully, early on, you get the use of a glider, which allows you to travel around Gotham by air rather than by road. Upgrade your abilities, and you can get a further range from your flight. Although it was still fun to drive around Gotham, still now and again.
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is an addictive game. I found myself spending many evenings playing the game, as well as watching the TC Mini Crew play their own file. Appealing to all ages is something that the LEGO games have always done, and thankfully, this one is no different.
Graphics & Audio
Graphically, LEGO Batman looks incredible. Controlling these plastic looking characters and watching them beat pieces out of each other is a joy. There is plenty of impressive moments and set plays. My favourite part of any LEGO game is how the materials look so realistic. With rain falling off the plastic and even gathering on the cloth caps, it all looks incredible.
The environment is also so full of life, with characters milling around doing their own thing. Sometimes getting up to no good, and sometimes they are diving out of the way of you barrelling down the road in your Batmobile. Gotham really is a beautiful place.
The sound on LEGO Batman is great, and the voice acting is astoundingly good. Not that you ever doubted it. The sound effects throughout the game are amazing as well.
Longevity
So at the point of finishing the main story, I am 21 hours deep into the game. However, I am only through around 50% of the additional bits and pieces to collect. So there is plenty of time to be had with this one. Probably around the 30-40 hour mark, I’d expect. Obviously, once you’ve completed the story, you can go back through each mission and replay it to see if there’s anything you missed. Using your new abilities to unlock previously inaccessible areas. Now I will say, I probably won’t spend too much time going back through everything, mainly because I am not a trophy hunter, more of a story enjoyer.
The trophy collectors out there will absolutely enjoy going back through the missions to find all those hidden secrets. Have a blast!
Final Thoughts
I think that it’s safe to say that I really enjoyed LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Not only was it an enjoyable game, it was also a joy to battle through each moment. Having those moments where you spot a nostalgic nod to a specific Batman film brought joy each and every time.
Honestly, if you haven’t picked this up yet, or you are on the fence. I ask you one question: do you not like fun?
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight gets the Thumb Culture Platinum Award!
Disclaimer: A code was received to write this review.
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