LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is what happens when you take Rocksteady Studios’ already established action-adventure Arkham-style video game formula and apply a thick layer of LEGO-themed paint to almost every aspect of its gameplay. The final product ends up being one of the most relentlessly entertaining LEGO titles I’ve played in a while, combining copious amounts of fan service, brick-bashing chaos, and genuinely endearing trademark LEGO humour. There are a few slight deviations in the expected volume of side content and collectible variety you might remember from earlier LEGO entries, but the overall quality of what’s on offer here more than makes up for the dip in distractions (and some performance issues I’ll get into later on).



Developer TT Games’ Legacy of the Dark Knight feels like a multi-layered cocktail, lovingly stacking as many elements from the world of Batman-themed media on top of each other as possible, whether it be the multitude of comics, movies, or animated series released over the years. This is not only reflected in the many locations and scenarios found throughout the campaign, but also in the collectible costumes, vehicles, and decorations obtained along the way. The actual minifig designs also shift from one iconic character representation to the next as you progress through the game. Watching the Joker’s appearance transition from the 1989 Jack Nicholson version to the 2008 Heath Ledger incarnation mid-cutscene, or the different Batman appearances evolve from chapter to chapter are good examples of this.



The Arkham series’ combat (and stealth) also makes the leap to the realm of bricks, and it’s pulled off surprisingly well. Of course, this is still a LEGO title we’re talking about here, but the weight and flow of combat from the Rocksteady releases is carried over about as well as it possibly could be. Dodging gunfire and other explosives is also possible (with both types of enemy attacks accompanied by visual cues and area-of-effect outlines), as is countering incoming strikes with a timed button press (“Q” by default on PC). Many climactic moments (in addition to the odd environmental interaction or impromptu dance number) feature basic quick-time events – and I’m not entirely sure if it’s even possible to fail any of these, in all honesty.

The Arkham series’ combat (and stealth) also makes the leap to the realm of bricks, and it’s pulled off surprisingly well.

Overall, Legacy of the Dark Knight’s approach to combat isn’t anything incredibly novel, revolutionary, or even challenging, which is about par for the course as far as LEGO games go. What it does do, however, is dish out a heaping helping of good mindless fun that never manages to ever feel too repetitive – although it can come very close at times, particularly when responding to the many crimes that pop up as you explore the open world of Gotham City.



Which brings me to the biggest issue I have with this game – that is, the city’s performance. The listed system requirements might be more than a little misleading as far as story levels are concerned (due to their more confined, isolated nature, where performance was pretty much rock solid for me), but Gotham can be deceptively demanding despite its modest size and scope.

While running around on foot and flying from rooftop to rooftop presented a decently consistent frame rate (between the nineties and 100+, with the odd fluctuation here and there, running on a system well over minimum requirements), hopping in the Batmobile and driving around caused some noticeable drops/spikes. I never encountered anything I’d call awful or unplayable but it’s worth noting that the map’s performance might catch you off guard, even for a LEGO title. The only other technical hiccups I encountered were mild stutters during the opening moments of certain cutscenes and one very noticeable instance popping up while out and about exploring the city.



As already alluded to, fans of past LEGO entries packed to the rafters with side activities, unlockable characters, and seemingly never-ending collectathons to pursue even after completing the core story content are probably going to feel slightly disappointed with Legacy of the Dark Knight in that regard. Sure, there’s still a healthy number of optional tasks to sniff out this time around, but the options feel shallower than what you’ve likely come to expect, and unlock at a slower pace.

I never encountered anything I’d call awful or unplayable but it’s worth noting that the map’s performance might catch you off guard, even for a LEGO title.

Unlockable character count has dropped down to merely seven, which makes sense when taking into account the fact that they all have their own list of unlockable abilities (expending skill bricks earned through mission completion), and just feel more fleshed out in general in both the gameplay gimmick and story departments – suiting Legacy of the Dark Knight’s more linear, cinematic approach to progression.



Aside from advancing the story, players can also invest their precious accumulated studs into upgrading the iconic Batcave. Including attractions such as designated areas for décor placement, an elaborate showcase of unlocked costumes for all available characters, and a garage of various instantly recognisable Bat-vehicles, filling up Bruce Wayne’s base of operations is oddly satisfying. Plus, numerous fast travel locations can be unlocked around the map, allowing for swift navigation back and forth between city and sanctuary – after completing a basic environmental puzzle first, that is, often making use of specific character abilities like Catwoman’s whip or Batman’s grappling hook.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is the kind of title you boot up when you’re looking for pure, unadulterated fun in your gameplay, and another excellent LEGO outing to add to your collection if you’re already a fan of these kinds of experiences. And if you’ve always been a rabid Batman follower, you’ll undoubtedly eat up each and every one of the dozens of easter eggs and references sprinkled throughout the city of Gotham, even with its lighter quantity of side content and questionable open world performance.

PC Review code provided by Warner Bros. Games | LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is available at Nexus Hub for R1,199