Lego Batman: The Videogame was released in 2008, and since then, the Lego Batman series has expanded to include “The Lego Batman Movie” (2017) and two more video games. The series’ newest development, Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, is a love letter to both Batman and Lego fans.
The game developer, TT Games, has spent years creating and perfecting Lego games, but their newest installment feels like a swing in a majorly different direction.
And it was a grand slam.
The game comes 12 years after the last installment in 2014 and it feels like a near-perfect implementation of what TT Games wanted to create. The game is an open-world beauty with great combat and mechanics, and a fun story for both young people and longtime fans of the Lego Batman games since their first appearance.
The story takes the player through several different key moments in Batman’s pop culture. The game begins with major references to “The Batman” (2022). Much of the story surrounds primary Batman antagonists, such as mob boss Carmine Falcone and The Penguin. The game does a phenomenal job of referencing past pieces of Batman media while staying within a very easy-to-follow timeline.
The way TT Games told the story through several different places in Batman media was extremely well executed and felt like it was made for Batman fans to say, “I know that reference!”
The story does an amazing job adding creative twists to the stories being retold, all while ensuring it still has the charm Lego games possess. This is done through staying true not only to the Batman character, but specifically to Lego Batman.
Lego Batman is a brooding character, but in a funny way, different than the typical Batman. In “The Lego Batman Movie” (2017), for example, he has several iconic lines, making many people laugh. In the new game, he keeps that same comedic energy while retelling classic Batman stories.
The game is fantastic at not taking itself too seriously, which was a concern to fans when TT Games stated they were taking inspiration from the Batman: Arkham game series, which is a dark, gritty world opposite of Lego Batman.
Lego Batman shines through Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, while telling the character’s foundational stories. The story was well-made, especially for people who may not be familiar with Batman, which would usually hinder the ability of the game maker to create an engaging story.
However, while the narrative is mostly pop culture references and storylines from past movies, TT Games crafted something that navigates that difficulty and still gives an interesting and engaging narrative to people more familiar with Batman.
This game balanced an original narrative with a puzzle piece to who Batman is as a character. TT Games made a game that can bring a fun experience to hardcore comic book fans and a game to play as a kid.
The game combines the Lego aesthetic and mechanics of the classic Lego Batman games with the combat and feel of the Batman: Arkham games. Rocksteady Studios, the developer of the Batman: Arkham games, had one of the cleanest, fluid and satisfying combat mechanics. These mechanics were translated wonderfully into Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.
On top of fight mechanics, movement was also at the top of fans’ minds when waiting for the new game. The game’s movement and graphics is mostly amazing, with only very few grievances coming from external challenges and side activities.
The fun, exciting story and buttery smooth game and combat mechanics are not the only stand-out aspects of this game. The other characters bring so much more to the game than they have in previous Lego Batman games.
The other playable characters include Detective Gordon, Catwoman, Dick Grayson’s Robin, Dick Grayson’s Nightwing and Barbara Gordon’s Batgirl. The inclusion of these characters expanded the game even more, giving a variety of different combat tools, vehicles and characters. Additionally, the additions brought life to the game and allowed Batman to develop important relationships with the characters around him.
The love letter of a game that has had Batman and Lego fans riled up for months lived up to and surpassed expectations. Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight delivered a satisfying, fun and exciting game that feels like one huge and successful leap for Lego Batman.
Kyson’s Rating: 7/5