LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Review on PlayStation 4

Gear Diary is independently owned and operated. We receive compensation through advertising and from the companies whose products we review, usually in the form of the reviewed product. We test the products supplied to us, and the opinions expressed are our own.

Gear Diary is also reader-supported. When you buy through links posted on our site, we may earn a commission at no cost to you.

You can learn more by clicking here.

Now that this LEGO game series has connected the Dark Knight and Boy Wonder to their DC superhero counterparts, developers TT (Traveller’s Tales) expand LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham‘s gameplay with even more action, content, and extras plus the first ever Season Pass for a LEGO game to nab all the substantial downloadable content (DLC) and extras nicely coinciding with Batman’s 75th anniversary.

This action-adventure video game is the direct sequel to LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes that had a special ending featuring Brainiac, which leads right into this third installment. Publisher Warner Brothers Interactive Entertainment packages great content and with plenty of DC Comic characters, special references and bonuses.

The Hype

LEGO® Batman 3 Beyond Gotham reveals Brainiac’s diabolical plan to shrink the Earth and take control of his enemies using the power of the Lantern Rings. Now, the super heroes of the DC Comics universe must join forces with the Legion of Doom on a journey across the Lantern Worlds to stop the nefarious evildoer from adding Earth to his twisted collection.

The Reality

Initially set in Gotham City, the main plot goes universal…literally. The onlooking spectators are gone as players encounter several heroes and villains with spoken dialogue throughout the story. This somewhat linear campaign has several hidden secrets and bonus items like collectible red LEGO bricks.

This game is easy to pick up and play, but definitely requires a small to medium learning curve through tough challenges, and action tasks are considerable even for experienced players. Know the controls, actions, and characteristics to save time…or just get the helpful Prima Official Game Guide, which includes very handy quick-reference item checklists. Players can try for bonuses like the “Same Bat-Time! Same Bat-Channel!” level on their own, but the game guide saves time.

LEGO® Batman™ 3: Beyond Gotham_20141204195340

It’s a very, very large world now, so developers use a large world map so players can navigate where they want to go. Environments include the lantern worlds (Zamaron and Odym), the Hall of Justice, the Batcave, and the Justice League Watchtower plus many settings in space. The visuals are sharp, but need better transitions among cutscenes and gameplay plus improved set design to navigate and move characters through the environments easier.

LEGO® Batman™ 3: Beyond Gotham_20141208221038

Each hero and villain have unique actions. Weapons use, movements, and special actions can be tricky, but don’t change much from the previous LEGO Batman installments. The free moving target feature using the left analog stick, which also controls movement.

The spice of variety freshens this installment and improves the overall gameplay, which often demands long game sessions since there are several challenges between each save point.

Besides more checkpoints, players need a free will off option to keep one partner stationary instead of falling off edges or creating other issues. Players can easily switch among other characters (usually more than two) using multiple buttons.

Movements can also be a challenge, especially when traversing through a tight spot. Players can also occasionally get stuck in certain spots. Some repetition can dampen the game though developers do have a sense of humor about the action. For example, Robin says “I’m really tired of getting shot at” in a circular space shoot ’em up (actually resembling another PS4 game, Resogun) just as players finish the challenging level after endless shooting barrages.

The “destroy then build” theme still hold true as players break stuff then look for visual cues or other elements to activate certain actions. Characters can also manipulate their own gear and gadgets, which would be overwhelming without the helpful cues. Players basically don’t use them until prompted. Robin’s gadget is particularly tricky, but just press the triangle button to get out of it. Other actions require players tap a button instead of holding it and vice versa.

Main movement frustration came when finding certain spots (e.g. digging for moon rocks) where developers needed more of a “buffer zone” within the environment. The physics are not meant to be precisely accurate and the game leaves some room for error including multiple progress options.

LEGO® Batman™ 3: Beyond Gotham_20141114110324

Younger players may occasionally get stuck in their progression, but the available help, smooth controls, absent time limit, and unlimited lives can quickly help players past challenges. The Bat-Mite is also playable and helps guide players through the game when activated by hitting the Batman Question Mark pieces. Besides the main story players can also complete extra side missions like saving Adam West.

LEGO® Batman™ 3: Beyond Gotham_20141114111623

Players can also use special views depending on which character they have. The worthy character cache includes Alfred Pennyworth, 1960s Alfred, Aquaman, Bane, Batgirl, Bruce Wayne, Darkest Knight Batman, Catwoman, Cyborg, Deathstroke, Doomsday, Flash, General Zod, Green Lantern, Harley Quinn, Joker, Jor-El, Killer Croc, Lex Luthor, Mr. Freeze, Penguin, Poison Ivy, Ra’s al Ghul, Riddler, Robin, Solomon Grundy, Superman, Superboy, Supergirl, and Wonder Woman.

Conan O’Brien and Kevin Smith even get in on the action as playable characters. The talented voice actors include Troy Baker (Batman), Olivia d’Abo (Star Sapphire), Nolan North (Beast Boy, Firestorm, Mad Hatter, and others), Tara Strong (Harley Quinn, Poison Ivy, and others) plus Adam West as himself and Gray Ghost.

Players unlock playable characters and character tokens as they progress through the game or purchase character tokens and purchase in the store. Batman, Robin, Cyborg, Lex Luthor, and The Joker can wear suits that modify their abilities. The suits are unlocked through storyline progression. The special suit actions work well except developers could have eliminated the switch option when only one suit is available.

Different suits have different abilities including freeze cannons, explosive, lasers, mind control, self-healing, illumination, magnetic, X-ray vision, fire resistance, sonar, and resistance to certain elements.

LEGO® Batman™ 3: Beyond Gotham_20141204193942

The strong variety in the overall gameplay, challenges, minigames, and other areas echoes previous DC experiences as well as other familiar media like the neon-colored Tron-like block maze challenge where players have to think quickly. Well varied boss battles instead of repetitive barrages would have improved the game.

LEGO® Batman™ 3: Beyond Gotham_20141208221309

The DLC Season Pass, currently available for $14.99, is a solid value. Season Pass packs can be purchased separately for $2.99 each if you want to be more choosy. The DLC also includes special characters including  The Dark Knight Rises Bane, 75th Anniversary Batman, Rainbow Batman, Vampire Batman, The Dark Knight Rises Selina Kyle, Nurse Joker from The Dark Knight, Batman Begins Scarecrow and The Dark Knight Two-Face.

The Danny Elfman music score from the first and second Tim Burton directed Batman films is still very prominently used. The sound prompts, characters expressions (e.g. confusing shrug means change suit or character) and some amusing sound effects.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham offers formulaic fun with beat ‘em up action, problem solving challenges and enough variety for a decent recommendation, but has plenty of room for improvement.

Also available for 3DS, iOS, Mac (via Steam), PC (Microsoft Windows), PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Xbox 360, and Xbox One.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham retails for $59.99; it’s $39.99 at AmazonLEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Review on PlayStation 4 [affiliate link].

Source: Reviewer copy provided by publisher

What I Like:  gameplay variety, several playable characters, special cameos, voice talent, problem solving challenges, entertaining comic content, easy character switch option, fun gameplay, familiar music, extensive unlockables/collectibles, action based puzzle challenges, LEGO physics,

What Needs Improvement: smoother transitions among cutscenes and gameplay, more save options, simpler action & control scheme (not using same buttons), incorporate camera pan option for right analog stick, more open world elements, free will off option for partner, more variety in boss battles

As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Thanks for your support!


About the Author

Gear Diary Staff
Gear Diary was founded on September 30, 2006, with the goal to create a website that would not easily be labeled. Everyone who is part of Gear Diary is a professional who uses technology in their work and daily lives. On this site, we share our enthusiasm while exploring the gear we use — the equipment that makes our lives easier, more entertaining, more productive, and more manageable. Our hope is that Gear Diary visitors find this site to be a welcoming, friendly, and accessible place to learn about and discuss interesting topics — and not only those that are tech-related! Gear Diary is a place to discover and explore all kinds of new gear, including smartphones, computers, kitchen gadgets, Toys, EDC, camping gear, or even your next new car! You can follow us on Twitter @GearDiarySite.