By Drew Hurley 21.11.2014 This is the 24th LEGO game! Therefore, fans of the LEGO games know what to expect with these titles. Although the games are formulaic, with little innovation added between incarnations, it's not necessarily a bad thing. As long as the story, style, comedy, and franchise are done right, LEGO games are always well received. LEGO Batman 2 was already a step towards a Justice League game, expanding the world to include a massive roster of heroes and villains. However, it still kept the story focus on Batman, with the other characters having side roles with little impact. Thankfully, LEGO Batman 3 addresses this, with fan favourite characters taking up more of the spotlight. At the end of LEGO Batman 2, the Superman villain, Brainiac, was seen watching Earth as a teaser to the next game and this game picks up from that. The sub-title of Beyond Gotham is fitting, as the story takes the player far across the DC Universe, dealing with the different coloured Lanterns and their home-worlds.
The Lanterns have a fun effect on the cast of this game, infecting them with different aspects of their ring colours, allowing - for example - a cowardly Cyborg, kleptomaniac Green Lantern, and a rage-o-holic Wonder Woman. It's a fun touch to the story that fans will enjoy. As with all LEGO games, there are winks and nods at fans of all types and ages, some for the comic fans, some for the LEGO fans, and some for the older fans. The other thing that remains the same as other LEGO games is the simple intrinsic charm of the game; even the most stoic fans will find it hard not to crack a smile at some of the nostalgic references. The game continues the theme from LEGO Batman 2 whereby a number of iconic characters have numerous different suits they can equip to deal with the special block puzzles in a move that feels a little unnecessary. With such a massive cast, it would be better to encourage the player to try out numerous characters than have Batman and Robin be sufficient to deal with most things.
The massive cast really is impressive and a delight for DC comic fans; there are easily over 150 characters to unlock. These characters span the gambit of all the DC Multiverses, not only all the well known comic heroes and villains but lesser known, too, although there is still no sign of Darkseid, perhaps being saved for LEGO Justice League? Anyone would be hard pressed to find a DC character not in this game, mostly because Batman is kind of like DC's Kevin Bacon - just about everyone in the DC multiverse has been related to him in less than six degrees. The puzzles across the levels are generally quite simple - unlocking the right ability to take out special blocks to get to the hundreds of collectables - but it never really becomes tiresome, as it remains fun to switch between the characters and use their abilities. Wii U owners may be disappointed as there is still confusion over what plans are for download content on that format, compared to other home console editions.
This is the first LEGO game with DLC that actually includes whole new levels to play. Previously, DLC - both purchased and pre-order bonuses - just consisted of characters or outfits, yet with this game there are six DLCs planned and they will include brand new levels - confirmed for all home systems apart from Wii U at the moment. Announced so far is the Christopher Nolan Dark Knight trilogy with all its characters, a level based on the Man of Steel movie, and one based on the Arrow TV show. It sounds very promising, and it's hoped that even though the Season Pass might not be available on Wii U, the individual packs can at least be bought. Also, hopefully it is an innovation that translates to future LEGO games. Since this game was released after the superb LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, though, it's hard not to compare the two, and even harder not to find this game a little lacking. Saying that, all comparisons to one side, looking at this game in its own right, it's a great addition to the LEGO series and an awful lot of fun with a bunch of new characters to try, along with a fun story.
It's everything a fan of either DC comics or the LEGO videogames would want. 7Very Good - Bronze AwardAs far as LEGO games go, this is par for the course. It's highly enjoyable with a good amount of collectables and unlockables for extending the lifespan. Unfortunately, it does feel like a small step backwards after Marvel Super Heroes, with the missing open world being the biggest loss - this is LEGO Batman 3 and not LEGO DC Comics or LEGO Justice League, so there's still hope that an open world will come later, as this most certainly won't be the last in this franchise. Out now Out now Out now Out now Comment on this article You can comment as a guest or join the Cubed3 community below: Sign Up for Free Account Login Preview Post Your Name: Enter the letters in the image to validate your comment. Are you sure you want to remove this bookmark? LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Unlock the full guide now! Checklists, Achievements & Trophies
Characters and Suits (Handheld) Most characters possess at least one ability that adds to their value. The more abilities that a character has, the more valuable that character is during Free Play and hub explorations. Here’s a quick rundown of all of the different abilities that characters can possess: Solomon Grundy and Swamp Thing can burrow into special swampy spots and discover useful objects that are buried deep underground. Wonder Woman automatically uses her bracelets to deflect incoming attacks, preventing damage. She can also use her bracelets to activate shield deflect pads and redirect lasers, potentially destroying nearby gold objects. Other characters, such as Lanterns, can raise energy shields to deflect attacks and prevent damage as well. Many characters can dig in suspicious mounds of dirt, discovering valuable items or objects. Alfred, Cheetah, and most Lantern characters can dig. Aquaman and Killer Croc can dive underwater and explore the depths, as can Batman and Robin once they find their Scuba/Dive Suits.
Certain acrobatic characters, such as Robin, can jump a second time in midair. This helps them reach greater heights. Batman and Cyborg are insulated against electricity while wearing their Electricity Suits. They can drain the charge from one electric panel and deposit the charge into another, for a variety of effects. and Black Adam are also naturally insulated from electricity and can instantly power any electric panel with their electricity beams. Batman can destroy silver LEGO objects with explosive attacks fired from his Power Suit. Other characters, like Cyborg and The Joker, have Demolition Suits that accomplish the same feat. Some characters, like Superman and The Flash, are able to build objects out of hopping LEGO bricks much faster than others. This ability can be given to any hero by unlocking and purchasing the Fast Build Red Brick. Some characters are immune to fire, such as Superman. Others have special items that let them walk through fire, like Alfred’s serving tray.
Some characters can use Flash-Build pads to swiftly build larger objects out of other objects in the vicinity. Many characters possess the freeing ability to fly about and hover in midair. It makes exploring much easier! Characters that can spray water (like Aquaman) can put out LEGO fires. Characters with super-breath (like Superman) and characters that use a freeze cannon (like Batman does while wearing his Arctic Suit) can also put out fires, and they can immobilize enemies and freeze rushing water as well, for a variety of benefits. Batman and other characters can glide through the air, making a long, slow descent to cross long gaps and reach remote locations. Characters that can wear Hazard Suits, such as Robin and Lex Luthor, can walk right through toxic goo without suffering any harm. Other characters are also naturally immune to goo, such as Superman and Killer Croc. Several characters can grapple and pull on orange hooks, for a variety of benefits.
Some characters, like Martian Manhunter and Plastic Man, can change their shape to slip through special hatches and reach new areas. Other characters, like Beast Boy and the Atom, can also travel through these hatches by shape-shifting or by shrinking themselves down. Robin and The Joker’s Illumination Suits let them light up pitch-dark areas, discovering hidden items and objects. Use a charging station to fill the Illumination Suit full of power, then conserve it for when you need it. Invincible characters such as Superman cannot be harmed. Only Lantern characters, such as Green Lantern and Star Sapphire, can activate Lantern pads and construct useful objects through the power of their rings. Lanterns can also fire a laser from their rings, but it has no effect on gold LEGO objects. Many characters, such as Superman and Cyborg, posses these powerful ranged attacks, which can overheat and destroy gold LEGO objects, and also cut shapes out of gold LEGO walls. Certain characters are able to manipulate blue magnetic LEGO objects, for a variety of benefits.
Robin and Cyborg can do this while wearing their Magnet Suits. Characters such as Brainiac and Martian Manhunter can control the minds of the weak-willed. Use their powers of mind control to force other characters to do your bidding. Only Poison Ivy can travel through rare plant portals to reach special locations. Plastic Man can use Plastic Man pads to transform into various shapes and objects. Only Martian Manhunter and Miss Martian can travel through special green portals to reach special areas. Characters such as The Flash, Cheetah, Bronze Tiger, Kid Flash, Reverse Flash, and Fierce Flame can target multiple enemies or objects and attack them in succession. Many strong characters, including Superman and Solomon Grundy, automatically recover health hearts over time. Brainiac can miniaturize black LEGO objects with his high-tech shrink ray. The Atom can shrink himself down at will to enter and explore tight spaces more easily. A handful of characters can use sonar to shatter glass LEGO objects.
Batman and Cyborg can do this while wearing their Sonar Suits. Characters that have a Sphere Suit (like Robin) can curl into a ball and activate sphere sockets. Green Lantern can also do this by surrounding himself in a sphere construct. Batman can become stealthy and slip past security cameras through the use of his Sensor Suit. Other characters, like Cyborg and Lex Luthor, can use Stealth Suits for a similar benefit. Lex Luthor and The Joker can use their Decoy Suits to summon lowly minions that aid them in battle. Lex calls for formidable Lexbots, while The Joker whips out his trademark Joker teeth. Many characters can use super senses to detect hidden items or objects in the environment. Batman can do this while wearing his Sensor Suit, while other characters can do this at any time, such as Martian Manhunter. Characters with this ability often also possess X-ray vision. This passive ability causes characters like The Flash to move and attack much faster than normal.
Characters with this ability can activate treadmills to power objects through kinetic energy. Large characters, like Killer Croc and Solomon Grundy, possess super-strength. This lets them smash through cracked walls and rip apart objects that have green handles. The Giant Suit gives other characters super-strength, including Cyborg and Lex Luthor, while certain normal-sized characters also possesses super-strength (like Superman). Batman, Robin, Cyborg, Lex Luthor, and The Joker can all wear high-tech gadget suits that give them access to new abilities. These characters can change suits at any time to adapt to different situations. See the previous “Unlocking Suits” section for details. Characters with a Techno Suit (like Robin and Lex Luthor) can hack techno panels. These characters can also use a remote controlled Toy Wonder to activate Toy Wonder panels. Some tech-savvy characters can hack techno panels without the aid of a Techno Suit (such as Martian Manhunter or Brainiac), but these characters can’t call upon a Toy Wonder to activate Toy Wonder panels.