Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

Going beyond the limitations of a single DC franchise, Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes might be one of the most ambitious titles in its franchise. Featuring a vast amount of extra content and rewarding exploration, this is a game with an inviting world full of things to do.

If the simplicity of previous Lego titles has dissuaded you from playing some of its titles, then look no further. This game offers some serious bang for your buck, with a more detailed plot, voiceovers, and free-roaming. Traveller’s Tales outdid themselves with this one, delivering the ultimate Lego Batman experience.

A much bigger world

Ever since their inception, modern Lego games have been very self-contained affairs. For example, the Lego Star Wars series had some hubs between levels, yet they were always small and with very little stuff to do. That changes with Lego Batman 2, as players will be able to roam around a Lego rendition of Gotham City.

Similar to Batman Arkham City, players can find many secrets and upgrades hidden throughout Gotham. This exploration component is a separate experience from the game’s more traditional missions. While those are still present here, they’ve also been massively upgraded from the previous games.

This is the first Traveller’s Tale Lego title to feature full voice acting, really boosting the game’s overall presentation. Some voice actors from other Batman animated media return to voice characters in Lego Batman 2, a cool nod that fans of the Caped Crusader will surely appreciate.

Justice League

As the name implies, this Lego title goes beyond the Batman series. Drawing inspiration from a multitude of DC franchises, this game serves as an all-star meeting of popular heroes (and infamous villains).

The plot follows Batman and the Justice League as they try to stop Lex Luthor from becoming president. Along the way, players will encounter many fan-favorite heroes from the pages of DC’s most popular comics, such as The Flash or Superman. Supervillains are also playable in some stages, letting players use characters such as the Joker or Catwoman.

As is the norm with Traveller’s Tales Lego games, each character is more or less a parody of themselves. The story never takes itself too seriously, offering a wacky plot that can be enjoyed by players of any age. The voice acting is also a notable step up from the usual mumbles that we saw in Lego Star Wars, delivering better jokes and more personality to each character.

Classic tunes

A notable aspect of Lego Batman 2 is its powerful soundtrack. If you’re a DC movies fan, then you’ll immediately recognize most of the songs that made their way into the game’s soundtrack. Danny Elfman’s Batman themes are here, and so are John William’s tunes from the Superman films.

However, the game’s original soundtrack leaves a bit to be desired. That said, it is still a step above what we saw in previous Lego games, where original music was nearly nonexistent.

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is the rare title that can be enjoyed by players regardless of their age. The enjoyable story and fun exploration, coupled with the excellent multiplayer system, turn this into a game that anyone can have fun with.

Pros:

• Entertaining plot
• Excellent voice acting
• Great multiplayer system
• Nicely detailed environments
• Rewarding exploration

Cons:

• Lacking some original music
• Some rare technical glitches
• Camera can be a bit unresponsive in some stages