Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

Developer(s) Traveller's Tales
Publisher(s) Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Feral Interactive (Mac OS X)[1]
Writer(s) Jon Burton
David A. Goodman
Composer(s) Rob Westwood
Platform(s) Microsoft Windows
PlayStation 3
PlayStation Vita
Nintendo 3DS
Wii
Nintendo DS
Xbox 360
Wii U
iOS
OS X
Ouya [1] [2]
Release date(s)

OS X

  • WW 6 September 2012

Wii U

  • WW May 21, 2013[6]
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player, multiplayer

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is a Lego action-adventure video game developed by Traveller's Tales,[3] for the PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo 3DS, Wii U, Wii, Nintendo DS, Xbox 360, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and iOS.[7][8][9] The game is a standalone sequel to Lego Batman: The Videogame and the second Lego Batman video game. Numerous DC characters within the Batman continuity and outside it are playable characters. Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes also featured dialogue and an open world to explore, the first in the Traveller's Tales's Lego series to do so. The game was released in North America on 19 June 2012.[5] The Mac OS X version of the game, published by Feral Interactive, was released on 6 September 2012.[1] The Wii U version was released on 21 May 2013.[6]

A direct sequel titled Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham was released in November 2014.

Gameplay

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes features an open world setting.[10][11][12] The game's gameplay is similar to its predecessor, Lego Batman: The Videogame, but allows players to play as classic Batman characters and other various DC Comics superheroes,[3] such as Robin, Batgirl, Green Lantern, Superman, The Flash, and Wonder Woman.[3][13] There are 70 playable characters.[4] New gadgets such as Robin's Hazard Cannon, Superman's heat vision, and a Power Suit for Batman were introduced.[7][8] An optional 2-player cooperative play mode, is also present.[14] However, a split screen is used, due to the game having an open-world environment.[14] The Wii U version allows the use of the gamepad's screen instead of a split screen, allowing both players to have independent screens.[15] Most of Gotham City can be broken into "bricks", as players can use the broken bricks to build new suits or construct objects that can help solve puzzles.[4]

Plot

In Gotham City, an award show is being held where Gotham's finest is attending. The "Man of the Year" award is being presented to Bruce Wayne with Lex Luthor being runner-up. All is well until a group of Batman's villains (consisting of Penguin, Riddler, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, and Joker) show up as Joker steals the award thinking that he is more deserving of the title. Bruce Wayne steps out and changes into the Batsuit and becomes Batman. Along with Robin, Batman confronts and defeats all of the villains, but Joker escapes.[4][7][16] After an extended chase, Batman captures Joker and he is thrown into Arkham Asylum. Sometime later, Lex Luthor arrives at the asylum and breaks the Joker out using a weapon called "The Deconstructor" (which deconstructs unbreakable black objects, and is powered only by kryptonite). Joker then uses the weapon to release all of the inmates from Arkham Asylum. Batman is called in to round up the villains. After capturing several of the villains in Arkham Asylum's maze, he discovers pieces of bricks that have the energy signature from Lex Luthor's weapon.

After learning of a break-in at Ace Chemicals, Batman and Robin search for clues as to what the Joker is up to. After an explosion begins to destroy the factory, the Dynamic Duo are rescued by Superman. Batman then learns what the Joker was up to. The chemicals stolen from the plant that although not particularly dangerous alone can be combined to form a synthetic Kryptonite. Punching the signature into the Batmobile's on-board computer, Batman and Robin catch up to Lex Luthor's convoy and infiltrate it. After a brief skirmish, Batman is thrown out of the massive convoy and enters the Batmobile. Unfortunately, Joker has completed his synthetic Kryptonite (which is used to power Luthor's weapon) and uses it to blast apart the Batmobile. Back at the Batcave, Batman is trying to figure out Luthor's next move. He determines the new Kryptonite is harmless, but it proves to be a tracking device which leads Luthor and Joker to the cave. Batman has a Kryptonite Vault, which he uses 'In case Superman turns evil', which The Joker knew about. Using the Deconstructor, the villains destroy the cave, escaping with a load of Kryptonite. Having no way out, Batman reluctantly allows Robin to call Superman for help and they escape the collapsing cave.

Batman and Superman team up and assault Luthor's massive airship. Batman is thrown off after confronting Lex Luthor and Superman saves him. The World's Finest then attempt to infiltrate Luthor's LexCorp headquarters in Metropolis, but are caught and forced to fight their way through the LexBots. After getting deep in the heart of the fortress-like building, Luthor reveals a giant Joker-esque robot and flees back to Gotham. After trying to sabotage the robot en route to Gotham, Superman and Batman are thrown off when the Kryptonite power-source is exposed and Superman begins to lose power. A weakened Superman and Batman then realize Luthor's plan. Using Joker's special gases, he can make everyone agree with him and win the Presidency. Batman and Superman then attack the robot again and force it to crash. After damaging it more, Batman forces most of the Kryptonite out of the robot, making a giant Joker face in Gotham viewable from the Watchtower. In turn, the Justice League is called in by Martian Manhunter. Realizing he has been defeated, Lex Luthor begins to lay siege to Wayne Tower. The Justice League arrive to help Batman and Superman and successfully stop and destroy the robot. With all of the Arkham inmates, Lex Luthor, and Joker captured, Batman says it is good for him to have friends he can call on in times of need. They all then decide to repair the Batcave as Green Lantern shoots a beam of green energy into space where he calls some of the other Green Lanterns to help.

In a hint of a future title, Brainiac is seen on his ship watching a screen with the energy while uttering "I have located it."[17]

Development and marketing

A promo for the game was leaked online by Lego fansite, Bricktuts.[18] On 15 March 2012, the game's first reveal trailer featuring gameplay for Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes was released to the public.[4][19] During the 2012 Game Developers Conference a 45-minute demo of the game was limited to eyes-on only.[14] A demo was later released on Xbox Live, Nintendo eShop on 19 June, the day of the game's release, and PlayStation Network on 26 June 2012, while a Microsoft Windows demo was released on 20 June 2012.

Voice cast

Lego Batman 2 is the first game in TT Games' Lego series to feature full voice acting, as opposed to the mime acting and the grunts, mumbles and gibberish of the previous titles.[20] Cam Clarke was the voice director of the game. Clancy Brown reprises his role as Lex Luthor from the DC Animated Universe. Troy Baker (who voices Batman in the game) reprises his role as Two-Face from the game Batman: Arkham City. Steven Blum reprises his role as Captain Cold from Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Soundtrack

The game's background music consists of Danny Elfman's score from Batman, John Williams' score from Superman, and original music written by Rob Westwood. It has been described as "just right".[21]

Film adaptation

Warner Premiere released Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite, a direct-to-video animated film adaptation of the video game produced by TT Animation. The film uses cutscenes from the game as well as new scenes to replace gameplay.[22] The film, produced and directed by Jon Burton, was released on May 21, 2013.[23]

Reception

The game was well received, with critics praising its refined gameplay, story, and voice acting, although it was criticized for some minor and sporadic technical glitches.[24] Gameinformer gave it an 8.25.[16] The game holds an 80 on Metacritic for the Xbox 360 version,[25] and an 81 for the PlayStation 3 version.[26] Andrew Laughlin, of Digital Spy reported that Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes was the best Lego game yet, admiring the game's new features, and original story.[21] IGN gave the game an 8.5 out of 10, the highest of the trilogy.

Sequel/Crossover with Marvel

On October 30, 2013, Lego Marvel Super Heroes director Arthur Parsons was asked if a LEGO Marvel vs. DC game would ever happen. Parsons replied by saying, “At the minute, we’re firmly focussed on the Marvel game, but we’ll see what kind of reception this gets… that’s all I’ll say for now…”[27]

On May 27, 2014, it was announced that the third installment in the Lego Batman series would be called Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. The game was released in November 2014.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Feral Interactive: LEGO Batman 2 announcement".
  2. ↑ "LEGO Batman 2 Trial".
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Groenendijk, Ferry (1 May 2012). "Lego Batman 2 Release Date Announced". Video Games Blogger. Retrieved 1 May 2012.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 "Preview: Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes". MTV. 16 March 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Yip, Spencer (19 March 2012). "Lego Batman 2 Built Arkham City Lego So Lego Superman Can Fly In It". Siliconera. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes". Nintendo.com. Retrieved 23 May 2013.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Stuart, Keith (6 January 2012). "Lego Batman 2 to star Superman and Wonder Woman". Guardian (London). Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "'Lego Batman 2' Announced, Includes Tiny Justice League". MTV. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  9. ↑ "New toy sets confirm LEGO Batman 2: Super Heroes". MCVUK. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  10. ↑ kNIGHTWING01 (21 March 2012). "K-News: Wii U Eshop games and LEGO Batman 2 Interview". YouTube. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  11. ↑ Masters, Steve. "Lego Batman 2 Interview with Jonathan Smith". GotGame.
  12. ↑ "Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes - Video Games". Lego Video Games. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  13. ↑ "DC Heroes Come to LEGO Batman's Rescue". Co Optimus. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Segers, Andre (15 March 2012). "6 Reasons Lego Batman 2 Might be the Best Lego Game Yet". Gamexplain. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  15. ↑ http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/lego_batman_2_dc_super_heroes
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 "Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes". Gameinformer. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  17. ↑ http://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-batman-2-dc-super-heroes?objectid=124688
  18. ↑ 'Lego Batman' Sequel Game to Include Superman and Other DC Superheroes
  19. ↑ "LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes– Reveal Trailer". IGN Entertainment. YouTube. 15 March 2012.
  20. ↑ "GDC Preview – LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes". PlayStation Lifestyle. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Laughlin, Andrew (21 June 2012). "'LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes' review (360): The best LEGO game yet". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  22. ↑ Vejvoda, Jim (13 October 2012). "NYCC: Another LEGO Batman Movie in the Works!". Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  23. ↑ Latchem, John (5 April 2013). "Lego Deconstructs Batman". Home Media Magazine. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  24. ↑ "Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes Review". IGN. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  25. ↑ "Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes (Xbox 360)". Metacritic. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  26. ↑ "Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes (PlayStation 3)". Metacritic. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  27. ↑ "Will LEGO Marvel vs DC Game Happen? LEGO Marvel Superheroes Director Answers". GAMEStm. Retrieved October 30, 2013.

External links