There might be those out there that are thinking that this is just another Lego game, and you would be mistaken for thinking this. On the whole, Lego games are known for being funny, cute and easy to just pick up and play, the same goes for Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes. The game now adds something that should be made staple for all Lego games in the future.

The story for Lego Batman 2 is unique to the franchise and is something that is engaging and genuinely interesting. You find yourself wondering which dastardly plan The Joker and Lex Luthor is going to come up with next. The start of the game you are chasing after The Joker after he steals Bruce Wayne’s “Man of the Year” award. While Batman and Robin are fighting their way through a number of Batman’s enemies, The Joker has made his escape.

Man of Steel

Admittedly it is not until about 2 or 3 hours in that the game becomes something new and fresh, this is with the introduction of the Man of Steel himself, Superman. He makes this game by far the best Lego and Superman game ever. Superman enters with his trademark hair style and cheesy grin, and with trouble afoot, Batman, Robin, Superman and eventually the whole Justice League step up to help citizens of Gotham.

The game plays as you would expect, you punch, kick, jump and switch between characters at various points throughout a level, and there are a number of different suits for Batman and Robin to aid them on their perilous quest. A lot of emphasis has been placed of going back after the game is finished to collect the remaining Minikits, Gold Bricks and saving Citizens in Peril. All in all you have to work to get 100% completion, I found myself playing for more than 15 hours and I was only 50% complete. Getting to 100% will easily take you 20+ hours.

Open World Wonder

One major new feature of Lego Batman 2 is that it is now open world. You can run the streets as Batman or you can take to the skies as Superman. Once you have finished the 15 chapter long main story, the city is yours to explore as you wish, you take on bad guys and successfully defeating them allows you to add them to your collection. Collecting some other characters needs harder work, like having to get all 250 Gold Bricks in order to unlock Supergirl.

For me the only thing that let the game down was the flying mechanics, you can easily find yourself missing targets and getting stuck. While it makes it easier to get from one place to another, it’s stopping and the simple art of moving up and down that’s the difficult part. The world map could use a little work too; it is difficult to pinpoint exactly where certain items are. The one redeeming feature is when soaring the skies as Superman and the familiar music from the original 1978 movie can be heard in the background. I have to admit, I found myself turning to Superman, just so I could listen to the music.

Although an addition in previous Lego games, drop in, drop out co-op is a great feature, if you have a friend then they can easily join you in getting the last few studs (in game currency) needed, the only major annoying thing about the co-op is the split screen, it is far too confusing, if your partner moves then so does the dividing line between the two of you.

Closing Comments

Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes is what all other Lego games of the future should look to. The game is by far the best one of the franchise yet and the vocal talent definitely adds a new dimension. The game is a collector’s paradise. You have to play through the game to get studs and unlock new characters and replay levels so you can access new areas to collect the rest of the secrets. It takes about 9 hours to complete the main story, and about another 11 or so hours going around to get the other characters and bricks – and I am still not finished. While the open world is a great addition, there is no doubt that it could use some tweaks for future releases, this does not stop Lego Batman 2 from being a fantastic game.