Review of the Week

LEGO Batman: The Videogame



This weeks review is actually the last game I purchased, LEGO Batman. Now I have been a big fan on the LEGO games ever since LEGO Star Wars came out of nowhere to be a smash hit. The formula is simple take a known license and transform everything into plastic brick versions then run around and bash everything you see searching for hidden items as you go. Now Batman is the first LEGO game to not have a storyline to go with it, The story the use is pretty simple all the villains have escaped from Arkham and its up to good ol Batty to put them back

The game plays out in episodes, each episode has 5 chapters and there is a Hero and Villain half. Basically you play through as Batman and Robin thwarting the villains scheme, then you can play through the same story arc as the villain side, its really quite fun and a nice way to mix up the game play. There are also vehicle levels in each episode which also does a nice job of mixing up the game play.

Now the game is not without its faults. The major flaw in the game is that the puzzles are very random and there is often no guidance what so ever as to what you are supposed to do. More than a few times you will find yourself running around randomly trying to figure out what to do, Now this wouldn't be as big of a deal if after you figured it out it made sense, but more often than not it is something totally out of whack. It also can get repetitive at times. The camera is also an issue (as it has been in every LEGO game) it is often difficult to judge jumps and see exactly what you need to do. It does do a lot of things well though. The character selection is huge (again a LEGO staple) The classic LEGO humor is there and its a total blast to play through in co-op mode. Replay value is also a huge plus, going through the levels multiple times in search of all the hidden stuff adds a lot to the game.

All in all LEGO Batman does a good job of being entertaining and fun, I would definitely give this one a try if you like an action platformer, Batman, or want a game that you can play with a friend (or significant other). Now I love the LEGO games but it may be time for the series to move in a different direction, it seems as though they are just turning out the same game with a different licsense each time.

SUGGESTION: BUY IT

(now on the advice of one of many thousands of readers ( :) ) I have revamped the review scale, rather than assigning a numbered/smiley face rating I will simply give my suggestion of Avoid it, Try it, or Buy it)