HAMBURG: The popular bat-hero is back, and yes, the cape too. The design is slightly more angular, but the game is just as much fun as ever thanks to the friendly Lego characters we know and love.
The story of Lego Batman: The Legacy of the Dark Knight draws on defining moments from the whole of Batman’s history through film, television and video games, and weaves them together.
That means, of course, that The Legacy of the Dark Knight is set in Gotham City, where Bruce Wayne sets out to hunt down crime boss Carmine Falcone.
Falcone’s right-hand man, the Penguin, and his nightclub, the Iceberg Lounge, are also back. If you saw the comic book adaptation The Batman (2022) you will immediately spot where the TT Games developers found their inspiration.
Something for everyone
The cast in the game leaves nothing to be desired. Alongside Penguin, we have characters such as Catwoman, the Joker and Police Commissioner Jim Gordon in the line-up. Added to this come Absolute Batman and Absolute Catwoman from DC’s latest comic series.
You could take a negative view of this, as mere service for fans. Or you can see it more positively as a sign that every generation will find their Batman.
As risky as this mix of eras and styles may sound, it ultimately feels just right – like a lovingly curated archive.
Funky fights, loads of fun
The combat system combines punch combos, stealth techniques and detective skills, drawing inspiration from the Free-Flow mechanics of earlier Batman games.
This encourages players to creatively combine abilities and weapons such as Batman’s Batarangs (bat-throwing knives), which repeatedly give everything a distinctively quirky touch.
Humour in just the right places complements and enriches the story. For example, two bouncers outside the Iceberg Lounge claim that the nightclub building is a fish market – only to promptly throw a fish at Bruce Wayne’s head.
Solo struggles: More fun with a sidekick
The Legacy of the Dark Knight also offers the classic couch co-op experience – a feature that has always been part of the “Lego” series’ DNA and feels refreshingly classic in the age of online multiplayer.
All levels are designed so that anyone can simply pick up a controller and join in.
The puzzles and stories practically beg you to play with a sidekick. In single-player mode, however, you’re forced to hit the brakes: the constant switching between characters for specific actions noticeably interrupts the flow of the game. And some puzzles simply can only be solved as a pair.
Seven capes to don
Players have seven characters to choose from: Batman, Jim Gordon, Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin, Catwoman and Talia al Ghul. Each character brings their own skills, special abilities and, without fail, a special gadget. There's Batman’s Batclaw, Robin’s grappling hook, Gordon’s foam sprayer and Catwoman’s whip.
The developers’ decision to include fewer characters in the game than in earlier Lego titles is paying off. Players stay much more focused on the action.
Plenty of companions plus even more Batsuits
Gotham’s sprawling, open world spans four islands: Ace Chemicals, the Gotham Botanical Gardens, Wayne Tower and Arkham Asylum. You can traverse the city using the grappling hook, gliding or in the Batmobile to solve crimes, crack the Riddler’s puzzles and discover rewards, secrets and landmarks.
You can also choose and customise a whole range of Batmobiles and Batcycles – including the legendary Tumbler – as you fancy. The Batcave serves as your personal headquarters and houses vehicles, trophies, collectables and a huge collection of Batsuits, comprising around 100 different costumes from 86 years of Batman history.
Real challenge, not child’s play
The Dark Knight Legacy is proof that Lego games are not just for children. Check out the "Dark Knight" mode, a difficulty level that challenges even experienced players.
Mistakes are severely punished, battles demand tactical thinking, and the calculated use of gadgets and environmental actions determines victory or defeat. A single misstep can mean an immediate setback. This makes the game both family-friendly and challenging at the same time.
Conclusion: A love letter to Batman’s world
It is clear that The Dark Knight’s Legacy was developed by Batman fans for Batman fans. TT Games has created an open world that boldly weaves together many decades of Batman history without losing sight of the distinctive humour of the Lego games.
As you glide through Gotham’s urban canyons, thwart villains and fill the Batcave with trophies, you realise with some satisfaction that you aren’t even asking yourself the big question namely which is the best Batman game of all? The Legacy of the Dark Knight gives players a little bit of everything from Batman’s vast world. That is its greatest strength.
Lego Batman: The Legacy of the Dark Knight is available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store). It costs around US$70 (RM278). The age rating (USK) is 12+. A version for Nintendo Switch 2 is set to follow later in the year. – dpa
