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Lego Batman: The Videogame - Review

Batman and Robin facing a situation.
Credits: Image Source - TT Games

Lego Batman: The Videogame is an action-adventure game developed by Traveller's Tale and published by Warner Bros. Games. 

The game's objective is to progress through levels by playing as heroes and villains, each offering their own perspective on the situation of the stage. In this review, I will go into further details about the game and give my final verdict.

What is the main plot of the game?

The game’s plot revolves around crime-fighting in the iconic city of Gotham. The Joker, the Riddler, Catwoman, and other classic villains have escaped from Arkham Asylum and joined forces to cause chaos. 

It is up to Batman and Robin to track them down and thwart their evil plans, using unique abilities, vehicles, and gadgets.

Additionally, the game lets players experience the villains' perspective, showing their motivations and how they carry out their schemes. This duality enriches the narrative and adds more depth to the experience.

Is the game faithful to the Batman universe?

Definitely. However, it includes the humorous touch typical of Lego games. It captures the essence of the characters and the atmosphere of Gotham, utilizing iconic elements such as the Batmobile, Batcomputer, and Batman's gadgets.

Villains like the Joker, Penguin, and Riddler are portrayed authentically but with exaggerated, comedic personalities that appeal to both longtime fans and new players.

Who are the playable characters and what are their abilities?

The game features a wide variety of playable characters, each with unique abilities that complement the gameplay and puzzle-solving. Here are some examples:

Heroes

  • Batman: Equipped with batarangs, grappling hooks, and various special suits such as the Gliding Suit (for reaching distant areas) and the Demolition Suit (for blowing up obstacles).
  • Robin: A versatile sidekick with suits like the Technological Suit (to interact with devices) and the Cleaning Suit (to pass through toxic areas).
  • Batgirl (unlockable): Similar to Batman, with combat skills and acrobatics.

Villains

  • Joker: Uses an electric gun to activate devices and stun enemies.
  • Riddler: Can decipher riddles to open secret passages.
  • Catwoman: Agile, with climbing abilities and whip-based attacks.
  • Penguin: Controls small robotic penguins that explode on contact with enemies or objects.
  • Poison Ivy: Immune to toxins and can manipulate plants to attack or unlock paths.

In addition to the main heroes and villains, there are dozens of extra characters to unlock, such as Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, and even generic henchmen, each with more basic abilities.

Does the game balance action and puzzle-solving well?

In terms of action, Lego Batman: The Videogame offers dynamic combat against hordes of enemies, boss battles with iconic villains like the Joker and Riddler, and thrilling vehicle chases in the Batmobile and Batwing. 

Despite the action focus, the Lego style keeps everything lighthearted and accessible without graphic violence.

As for puzzles, they are relatively simple, typically tied to items or suits in the level, using character-specific abilities. This makes them easy for casual players to solve.

Batman jumping and crying through a danger sign.
Credits: Image Source - TT Games

How does the progression and character unlocking system work?

The progression system is intuitive and encourages exploration and replaying levels. Characters are unlocked through the following methods:

  • Main Story: As you progress through missions, new characters are automatically unlocked for use in "Free Play" mode. This includes heroes, villains, and allies that become playable as they are introduced in the story.
  • Character Purchase: Some characters need to be purchased with "studs" (the game's currency), and they become available once found or defeated in missions.
  • Items and Secrets: Certain characters are unlocked by finding minikits, solving puzzles, or completing specific objectives in stages.

Unlocking characters and secrets encourages replaying levels in "Free Play" mode, as some areas can only be accessed with the abilities of characters unlocked later.

Can you play with two or more people?

The game supports both single-player and two-player cooperative gameplay, allowing players to enjoy the game together in co-op mode.

How is the voice acting and available subtitles quality?

The game does not feature voice acting, as there are no dialogues between the characters, just gestures indicating what they are doing, making the game more accessible for people with disabilities. 

As for the subtitles, the game officially supports the following languages: English, French, and Spanish (Spain) 

Note: Information from the Steam page.

Is the game challenging for experienced players?

No, since the game was designed for a more casual audience and is accessible to players of all ages, the challenges and missions are relatively easy.

Does the game have extra content or special modes?

Yes, the game features extra content that expands the experience beyond the main story. Some of this content includes:

  • Villain Mode: After completing the story mode as a hero, players can play through the same levels but controlling the villains, offering a different perspective and new mechanics for the levels.
  • Free Play Mode: After completing a mission in story mode, players can return to the level in "Free Play" mode, which allows them to choose any unlocked character to explore the stage without restrictions.
  • Cheats and Red Bricks: The "Red Bricks" are items that, when found, unlock cheats and special bonuses, such as increasing the amount of studs collected, giving extra abilities to characters, or unlocking additional modes.

Are the graphics and visual effects well-executed?

Yes, the visual style of Lego Batman: The Videogame is well-executed within the unique and fun Lego game style, with special attention to the environment and fidelity to the Batman universe, all while keeping the lighthearted tone of the series. 

The game features some of the standard characteristics of other Lego games, such as:

  • Lego Visuals: Like all games in the Lego franchise, Lego Batman uses the characteristic blocky Lego visual style, which provides a charming and engaging aesthetic. While simple, the graphics are colorful and detailed, with well-modeled characters and environments.
  • Environmental Fidelity: Gotham City is depicted faithfully, using dark colors and strong contrasts to capture the eerie atmosphere of the Batman universe, but still maintaining the light, humorous tone. The city is well-structured and feels "alive," with streets, buildings, and recognizable Gotham details.
  • Combat Effects: The combat effects, such as explosions, punches, and gadget usage (like batarangs and lasers), are satisfying and contribute to the dynamic nature of the fights without being overly complex.

While the graphics aren't as advanced as modern games, they are well-executed within the Lego style, with cohesive design and solid performance.

Harley Quinn and the Joker laughing evilly.
Credits: Image Source - TT Games

What is the soundtrack and sound design like?

Both the soundtrack and sound design have their own unique qualities:

  • Soundtrack: The soundtrack incorporates elements of the classic Batman music, found in other Batman works. The composition brings a mix of epic and dark tones with a humorous and light touch.
  • Sound Design: The background sounds capture the essence of the metropolis. During exploration, you can hear sirens, cars passing, and the typical hustle of a big city.

Is the average playtime satisfactory?

According to How Long To Beat, Lego Batman: The Videogame takes about 10 hours to complete the main story, with around 16.5 hours to complete both main and side missions, which is a reasonable amount of time when considering its price in relation to what it delivers. 

In my gameplay, I spent exactly 16 hours and 30 seconds to finish the game.

Are there secret items or areas to explore?

Yes, during the game, there are several secret areas that can only be accessed with specific characters or special abilities. For example, certain parts of stages can only be reached with special suits (such as Batman’s gliding suit or Robin’s demolition suit).

Also, there is an item called Minikit, which are collectibles scattered throughout each level to unlock characters and additional rewards.

Where can I buy the game?

You can purchase the game through my links below without altering the final price. By doing so, you’ll be financially supporting my channel and encouraging me to bring more reviews like this.

Links to buy Lego Batman: The Videogame:

    Conclusion:

    Lego Batman: The Videogame is a fun and relaxing game compared to other modern titles. The game offers a child-friendly aspect but remains faithful to the original material, with simple yet enjoyable puzzles to solve. 

    I did experience some performance issues on PC, as the game would occasionally freeze for a short time and then return to normal. 

    I’m not sure if this was an issue with the game, my PC, or OBS Studio, but I wanted to mention it here. In summary, if you're looking for something simple to enjoy and you're a fan of the Batman franchise, consider giving this game a chance.

    If you're interested in watching specific parts of the game, I will leave my complete YouTube playlist here.

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