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Lego Batman 2. DC super heroes

If you don't know already my wife's gaming passion is for Lego games. There's not one she hasn't completed 100% (actually I tell a lie, the latest Harry Potter let her down). But the new Batman 2, DC Super Heroes did not -here's her thoughts.

The idea  of adding other super heroes to the latest Lego Batman game actually disappointed me as I thought this was removing the chance to have future Lego super hero games - butI have to admit they're quite a nice extra in this game. A massive plus side to this game, sounds small, but wow what a difference TALKING Lego miniatures make. Well done to Warner Bros for adding this tweak into the game, it really does bring the characters to life. 

Let me start with the story mode. It's short is my first point, but like the Lego games you have to do it at least twice. Once with Batman and Robin and again once you have unlocked most of the 'bad guys', in particular Superman's arch enemy Lex Luther (btw, you can also find and purchase the Clark Kent mini figure). Lex's weapon of choice is the 'deconstructor' which you need in every story mode level in order to get all of the minikit pieces.

In each level there's ten minikit pieces to collect, a citizen to save and you'll need to become a 'super hero' by collecting enough mini Lego 'bits'. If you do all this you'll gain four gold bricks per level. However there are 250 in total to collect and find and the majority of them are not in the story mode. That's what makes this game different from the others. Most of the actual achievements, character unlocks and mini missions are in and around Gotham City. You'll need to locate the bad guy, defeat him and then buy him. Which sounds easy but often I ran out of 'money' and had to gather more by running round the city in search of bits.

As you continue through story mode levels you meet and gain help from the DC Super Heroes, most often Superman, which Batman isn't pleased about, he likes to 'be the hero'. However there is also help from The Green Lantern, The Flash, Cyclops and the one and only Wonderwoman. Once unlocked these are free for you to use in free play, iin the level repeats and as you wander across Gotham City.

Travelling around Gotham you can use multiple modes of transport, unlocked vehicles such as your Batmobile, Robins Bike or you could simply fly as Superman or the Green Lantern. In order to use the vehicles you need to locate them and buy them. Helicopters and flying vehicles are also used in mini flying missions for a gold brick.  It's not just flying vehicles you can buy, there's also road vehicles such as Scarecrows pumpkin car and Mr Freeze's ice cream van to name a few. 

While you travel around Gotham you'll need to find the remaining 150+ gold bricks and the 50 red bricks, these are found by doing mini missions using the various super heroes, unlocking joker and riddler boxes or using vehicles. There's even some quirky ways to gather multiple gold blocks,  such as in the park you can play the remote control boats, or in Harley's funfair you have to do all the funfair games and ride all the rides. You'll need to find and save the citizens who are under threat from Poison Ivy's plants, Penguin's toys or simply got themselves caught up in a mess. By the time you have completed this game you'll have unlocked 50 DC comic heroes, purchased loads of vehicles and walked god knows how many miles across Gotham City.

I'm so pleased that once again a Lego game has brought me hours, in fact days, of great game play with fantastic graphics. This game is a must buy for fans of gaming and I can't wait for the next one - Lord of the Rings I believe!