With “The Dark Knight” making a killing at the box office this summer and Batman merchandise flooding the market, it was only natural that the gaming industry would strike while the iron was hot.
Within the first minute of the game, Batman enthusiasts will be hit with a sense of nostalgia.
As a longtime fan of all things Batman, I always get worried when I hear that the Caped Crusader will be making his way onto a gaming console. Fortunately, “LEGO Batman” hit store shelves last week and squashed those fears.
Within the first minute of the game, Batman enthusiasts will be hit with a sense of nostalgia. Revealing familiar environments recreated in LEGO pieces set to Danny Elfman’s score from Tim Burton’s 1989 version of Batman, fans will feel right at home.
For those who have had the chance to get their hands on “LEGO Star Wars” or “LEGO Indiana Jones,” you will find a very similar style of gameplay in “LEGO Batman.” There is not much of a learning curve to the controls and anyone can pretty much join in on the fun without fretting the technicalities of a complex game.
The changes “LEGO Batman” made from prior LEGO titles are what make this game stand out above the rest. Since “LEGO Star Wars” and “LEGO Indiana Jones” were direct translations of the movies that bear their name, it left for predictability. “LEGO Batman” has no direct ties to any existing storyline so it feels like a new adventure all together.
Another major change that can be found in “LEGO Batman” is the utilization of vehicles. Like its predecessors, the game consists of three major acts. Each act in “LEGO Batman” has a level devoted to vehicle gameplay that allows you to take your fight to land, air and sea. This creates diverse situations that prevents the gameplay from becoming redundant and keeps the game interesting from beginning to end.
The only real problem with this game is that it’s not for everybody…wait, yes it is! Anyone from children to adults, hardcore gamers to casual gamers, and Batman fans will enjoy this title. There is a vast cast of characters that Batman fans will be familiar with including almost every popular villain that Batman has ever faced. The game sports an adaptive difficulty that will adjust to the skill level of the gamer, so it won’t be too easy or too challenging.
The graphics are good for what the game is trying to accomplish-- a LEGO look comprised mostly of geometric shapes. The game looks especially good in high definition on PS3 and Xbox 360.
The bottom line is this game is extremely fun. Whether you want to hop on and play tandem with your AI partner or Co-Op with a friend, or spend time trying to unlock all the cool extras, you are bound to enjoy your time spent on “LEGO Batman.” So if you're looking for a fun, easy and enjoyable game, look no further than “LEGO Batman.”
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