Lego Batman 2 : DC Super Heroes

Those who have known me for any length of time will recall that I generally don’t play computer games with the exception of Microsoft flight simulator.  However, a few years back, I gave my grandson an Xbox 360. The game that came with that device was Lego Batman.  After my move to Georgia, I got a chance to play that game on my Xbox 360 and found the game to be enjoyable, if not quaint.  So when Travelers’ Tales, the producers of the game, released the follow-up video game, Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, I bought it and I’ve never looked back.

Games like Assassin Creed or Madden Football feature realistic animation. The  Lego series of games features Lego block characters, but  is a joy to play.  In fact, let me say this, if this game is available on your gaming system you should buy it – right now.  Any game which will allow Hawkgirl to ride a gorilla to the top of Wayne Tower and then give you 20,000 points for doing so is a game worth buying. Speaking of Hawkgirl, she has a wicked backhand with her mace that she effectively uses to destroy the bad guys.

One of the big differences between this and other Lego games that I’m familiar with, is that in this game the characters actually talk.  And the dialogue they speak is smartly written and funny.  I won’t give the game away in terms of plot, but I will say that this game features the best of the DC comic book heroes such as Superman, Wonder Woman, the Flash (who is almost uncontrollably fast), the Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Cyborg and the Hawks (Hawkman and Hawkgirl) among others.  But the best thing about this game is that after you complete the story, you have the entire city of Gotham to explore.  And make no doubt about it, the city of Gotham is a huge, detailed and well laid out town.  And this is important, because after you have finished the story part of the game, you probably have only completed 20 to 25% of the game.  The rest of the game is freely played in the city.

There are two really great aspects of this game.  The first one is the character of Superman.  The game developers have done a fantastic job in capturing Superman’s abilities.  He has the power of flight, heat vision, x-ray vision, ice breath and invulnerability (except to kryptonite).  The second cool aspect of this game is Lex Luther voiced by Clancy Brown.  He has a weapon, powered by krytonite, which is capable of destroying anything  black and guess which superhero dresses in black.  If you said Batman, you win the kewpie doll.  It is funny to watch Batman grudgingly thank Superman for saving him and at the same time watch Robin fall all over himself with Superman hero-worship.

Bottom line is that this is a really good game that will keep you entertained for hours, if not days and should be in your library.