LEGO Batman 2 offers formulaic fun with beat ‘em up action, creative environment interactions and a few puzzles plus, as the DC Super Heroes subtitle states, some expanded gameplay that wisely incorporates the Justice League heroes. The Caped Crusader cleans Gotham City of criminal activity with his slightly inexperienced but trustworthy partner Robin in this newest LEGO game installment.
The Hype
In Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, calamity strikes as the Joker forms an alliance with Lex Luther. The result is a uniting of the world’s greatest villains from across the DC Comics universe, hell bent on tearing down Gotham City, brick by brick. Thankfully Batman and Robin are able to form their own unit for good with members of the Justice League. Additional heroes available in the game include Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and many more. The game contains lighthearted content featuring Batman flavored action, mixed with classic LEGO block gameplay. Players utilize a variety of vehicles including the Batmobile and Batwing, and must master a range of gadgets in order to triumph. True to the beloved LEGO video game play, Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes contains contains both single player and co-op gameplay options. Batman fans of all ages will enjoy a new and original story filled with classic LEGO videogame action and humor as players fight to put the villains back behind bars.
“LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes builds upon the action and cooperative gameplay experience established in our best-selling LEGO videogame to date, LEGO Batman: The Videogame,” said Tom Stone, Managing Director, TT Games. “We’re offering fans a rich and expansive Gotham City environment filled with cool characters, great customization options and plenty of surprises that families, young gamers and DC Universe fans can enjoy together.”
“LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes further extends and combines both the Batman and LEGO videogame experiences to create very fun gameplay,” said Samantha Ryan, Senior Vice President, Development and Production, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. “Fans of all ages are going to enjoy the action and light hearted humor that TT Games and LEGO provide.
The Reality
This Warner Brothers Interactive game, developed by TT Games, features recognizable characters with spoken dialogue, a first for the LEGO game series, instead of grunts, hums and coos. Handheld console game versions (Nintendo DS and 3DS also available – no PSP version) include a Justice League Alliance game mode – a battle challenge set against DC Universe villains.
Set in Gotham City, the main scheme involves villains including the Joker, Bane, Riddler, Two-Face, Catwoman, Poison Ivy, Penguin, and even Lex Luthor creating destruction, terror and mayhem as Batman and Robin clean up the mess. Bystanders fear the baddies, but players never see the Caped Crusader and the Boy Wonder quivering though the latter shows his inexperience at times in comical ways. The hero characters even occasionally scoff among themselves (e.g. one scene shows Superman lecturing Batman about property destruction).
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is easy to pick up and play and includes other DC heroes featuring their respective powers including Superman (heat vision) and The Flash (fast running speed) plus many others and some surprise characters. Each hero and villain have unique actions, which developers use towards creating the base story mode from both perspectives. Players can then replay each level in free mode once completing the story mode mission. This setup engages players in the story and parallels the increasing amount of unlockable weapons, actions, vehicles and gadgets. 
More intricate boss battles instead of constant barrages would improve the game. Players must keep some environmental elements for shields (unless you want to use other heroes too), which ensures lose some coin loss, but it’s worth it. Characters automatically grab ledges, which keeps younger players out of trouble and less frustrated. Players can also use choke or throw actions to dispatch adversaries quickly.
The batarang comes in handy for distance attacks. When stuck in puzzles just remember everyone’s abilities and various suit properties to avoid frustrations that might make players use their PS Vita as a batarang. Using the rear touch pad option for the batarang and other targeting is incredibly sensitive. Players almost have to keep their flat hands pressed against each end to avoid any accident actions.
Players can also touch the blue exclamation point(!) in the lower right corner when available and other access other presented hints. Movements can also be a challenge, especially when traversing through a tight spot. The physics are not meant to be precisely accurate and the game leaves some room for error including multiple progress options.
As players switch between Batman and Robin using the triangle button, the game needs a free will off option to keep one partner stationary and not just follow the other. Also players need more save checkpoints. Players might get stuck in one area, but progress is lost unless the entire level, usually involving several enemies, is completed.
Presented vehicles like motorcycles, boats, and helicopters entice in the cut scenes, but not prominently in gameplay. Players destroy catwoman’s bike instead of using it.
Special weapons have a free moving target feature using the left analog stick, which also controls movement, but a camera pan option using the additional right analog stick, one of the PlayStation Vita’s best features, is a missed opportunity though it seems developers want to keep players “on the rails” throughout the action.
This somewhat linear campaign has several hidden secrets and collectible LEGO bricks. Players also accumulate (the bat cafe is a good spot) save up for extras like a 4x coin multiplier (300,000 coins).
Gameplay expands with the multiplayer option that allows players to host or join other players (who must also have the game) using the two profiles/load slots. Players have the ability create characters in the Bat cave, but, unfortunately, players cannot name their creation.
The Danny Elfman music score, from the first and second Tim Burton Batman films, and John Williams’ musical score from Superman and its sequels permeate gameplay plus players can enjoy some original music, sound prompts, and some amusing sound effects.
LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes has great blue color schemes and glowing highlights at the loading and menu screens…
but the cutscene graphics are often blurry especially in the background.
A solid, all ages game with considerable replay value including bonus content and unlockables found in free play mode. Younger players may occasionally get stuck in their progression, but the available help, smooth controls, helpful touch options, and unlimited lives can quickly swing players through any tangles.
Developers add some synergy into this game experience with a tie-in of the LEGO® DC Universe Super Heroes toy collection, introduced earlier this year, which includes five construction sets including the Batcave and three buildable, detailed action figures. Look for a special ending featuring Brainiac. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is also available for Xbox 360, Wii, Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo DS and PC with a Mac version scheduled for an August 2012 release.
Special note: Most of the included screen shots shown above originate from my gameplay sessions and were taken by pressing the PlayStation button (left) then the start button (right). Players can still use the controls in this game while the screenshot saves, but the status screen partially blocks the main view.
Review: LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
Where to Buy: Amazon.com and other stores
Price: $39.99
What I Like: expanded Justice League elements, entertaining comic content, easy character switch option, fun gameplay, familiar music, extensive unlockables/collectibles, action based puzzle challenges, LEGO physics, problem solving challenges
What Needs Improvement:incorporate camera pan option for right analog stick, ability to name created character, more intricate boss battles, more save options, free will off option for partner, more open world elements and variety in the linear campaign
Source: Copy provided by publisher
