Unlike previous titles, LEGO Batman isn’t based on any particular film or comic book, instead things are kept simple which has allowed Traveller’s Tales to incorporate a variety of characters. The plot revolves around Gotham’s most dangerous criminals escaping Arkham Asylum and splitting up into three groups, lead by the Joker, the Penguin and the Riddler. In typical fashion, Batman and Robin are called to restore order. Later, players can also play as the villains and see their perspective of the story.
Watch as I make this pencil... Disappear!
LEGO fans will be familiar with the general mechanics of LEGO Batman. Levels are made up of several rooms and your main goal is to find the exit. This can involve a number of tasks, such as building a tank that lets you knock down a steel gate, flicking switches, or simply traversing to the top of a city building. During your quest you’re accompanied by an AI controlled partner, though a friend can join in via the drop in/out multiplayer option. At anytime you can switch between characters to use their special abilities, but other than that, partners don’t really provide any support, they’re just there to keep you company during solo sessions.
To give the game a more unique feel, the developers have incorporated a new suit system. Throughout each level you’ll come across suit stations that allow Batman and Robin to change their outfits and gain new abilities. Some of these include Robin’s magnet suit which lets him walk up metal walls, Batman’s glider suit which lets him drift across chasms, and even a detonator suit that lets Batman place bombs around objects. The suits are all genially different and unique to each character, and the system also cuts out a lot of the character switching from previous titles. Additionally, hero characters can aim and throw Batarangs at enemies and destructible objects, which is a nice little element that adds further appeal.
One thing that LEGO Indy was criticized for was most of the playable characters were just generic thugs and Nazis. Thankfully, Batman has a much more appealing cast including Killer Moth, Bane, Mr. Freeze, Catwomen and Man-Bat. Unlike the heroes, the suit system doesn’t apply to villain characters, so players have to rely on their pre-set abilities. The Penguin, for example, can use his umbrella to hover above chasms and shoot enemies, as well as call his penguin bombers to blow stuff up. Mr. Freeze on the other hand, can put enemies on ice and use his super strength to pull heavy objects. It’s a lot of fun to experiment with each villain, especially since they have their own unique traits and move sets.
Looks like we're having frozen bird tonight.
Returning from LEGO Star Wars are vehicle levels. During these moments, the game changes from platform-based gameplay to a shooter. You’ll get to pilot an impressive range of vehicles including the Batmobile, Batplane and Batboat, but your primary objectives will always remain the same. Each level typically requires you to bypass a series of gates by destroying them with a bomb, flicking switches or causing an enemy canon to malfunction. At the end of each level you’ll also have to face off against a boss and figure out how to destroy them. A minor example is the Penguin’s Submarine, where you need to trick enemy missiles into targeting the sub rather than your own vehicle. It’s certainly nice to see the developers re-introduce the levels, and they offer a welcome change from constant platforming.
It’ll take players around eight or ten hours to play through the story, but one of the great things about the LEGO series is that there is always a ton of replay value. Hidden throughout stages are mini-kits and red LEGO blocks, and by finding them you’ll slowly unlock suit upgrades, cheats and hidden characters. There’s also a quirky fact file which contains brief facts about the Batman universe such as there being multiple Robins and Two-Face’s dependence on his coin. It’s a nice little feature which will benefit those who aren’t too familiar with the comic books. The game’s total lifespan will vary depending if you activate cheats (namely the mini-kit detector) or not, but it’s safe to say that LEGO Batman will keep you occupied for a while.
Disappointingly, the same problems that have plagued other LEGO games are still present in LEGO Batman. Enemies are pushovers, your AI partner doesn’t really do anything, and there are some camera issues. With the latter, it’s mainly a concern when you’re walking down a narrow path or have to make a precise jump. The camera is usually zoomed out or simply in a bad spot which prevents you from knowing if you’re too close to the edge. These problems should have been ironed out by now, there’s no excuse. Fortunately, they’re still minor in the grand scheme of things, so they won’t ruin your experience.
Robin's just begging to be punched in the face.
For those who are curious, the Wii version of the game is exactly the same as the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, the only difference is that it runs at a lower resolution. We did notice however, that there were a few occasions where environments looked a little pixelated due to the amount of objects on screen. Fortunately, gameplay wasn’t affected in the slightest.
Visually, LEGO Batman is a lot darker than previous games. In a strange way it’s refreshing for the series, but at the same time it loses some of its appeal. Danny Elfman’s score for Tim Burton’s Batman and Batman Returns can be heard throughout the game, which brings an epic feel to your surroundings. Unfortunately, tunes are repeated over and over again, so things begin to feel a little tiresome. It’s a shame Warner Bros. didn’t allow the use of music from the various animated shows or the newer films, it would’ve added an extra oomph to the experience.
While there isn’t a whole lot new in Traveler’s Tales latest LEGO offering, Batman and LEGO fans won’t be disappointed. The title has a wonderful cast of characters, the standard LEGO gameplay remains strong, and there’s a lot of replay value. If you didn’t like the previous games though, then you need not apply.
Loading...
