LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Review

Whenever a new Batman appears – regardless of the medium – I hope and pray I don’t have to drudge through another rendition of the tragic events that befell his parents.

It’s a part of the character that I’ve been exposed to so many times over the years – I don’t care anymore.

Although it takes a few hours before Batman makes an actual appearance, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight does a great job focusing on the more exciting elements of Bruce Wayne’s evolution to the Caped Crusader.

The whole parents thing is there, sure, but its brevity allows players to instead see Bruce Wayne training with the League of Shadows. While touching upon Batman lore mainstays from comics, movies, and games, a number of unexpected locales and characters also make an appearance.

Batman’s arsenal of sidekicks also brings plenty of collectible co-op partners for players to try out. Jim Gordon, Catwoman, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Talia Al Ghul each offer different combat and puzzle-solving abilities – although the latter becomes a little frustrating when playing solo.

Each character is heavily linked to specific parts of the story, providing interesting insight into each character’s origins and motivations. For instance, the Flying Graysons scene at Haly’s Circus – where Batman meets Robin for the first time – offers some of the game’s most engaging and challenging platform puzzles.

Much can be said for the long list of villainous troubles Batman and co encounter. Iconic characters, such as The Joker, Bane, The Penguin, and Poison Ivy, all make an appearance. That being said, some feel too brief and rushed for the legacy they hold.

Some lesser-known characters also pop into the fray in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, with the Condiment King quite possibly making his first appearance since LEGO DC Super Villains.

One of the more annoying elements of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight sees the player having to constantly switch between characters to solve “puzzles.” This is in quotations, as these require little thought and are solved nearly as quickly as it takes to switch the characters in the first place.

It does make this title very approachable for younger players, and should offer enough challenge without leading to frustration. That being said, more experienced players might feel like a missed opportunity to break up the otherwise combat-centric gameplay.

Case in point: Catwoman’s Safe Cracking puzzle requires simply holding a direction on the thumb stick and waiting for a hole.

While true for most of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knights’ puzzles, some optional open-world puzzles provide more of a challenge.

The laundry list of collectibles in LEGO Batman: Legacy Of The Dark Knight will keep completionists entertained for hours on end. Most levels feature five thematic items hidden throughout, rewarding skill points or upgrades upon discovering them all.

When exploring the impressive open world of Gotham, it often feels like you’re tripping over a collectible or shiny chest every 20 seconds. While many become troublesome over time, the vast array of suits and vehicles for players to unlock is truly fantastic.

These iconic aesthetics from throughout Batman’s history have all been wrapped up in the beloved LEGO theme, provide plenty of nostalgic visuals for fans.

Although exploration and discovery play a large role, combat is the central focus of LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. Taking clear inspiration from the Arkham games, it is simple at its core. Although the game does have multiple special enemy types – each requiring different approaches to take down – it never tests the player or evolves much past the initial stages.

It’s a rewarding system, making the player practically invincible with the right timing of counter and dodge. However, with infinite lives and plenty of health, it lacks impact – so to speak.

Featuring sharp writing, accessible gameplay, and plenty of discovery opportunities, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is another strong entry in the LEGO franchise perfect for younger players.

The post LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Review appeared first on GamersHeroes.