Review: Lego Batman 2 features the Dark Knight’s super friends

Editor’s note: The following article is reprinted from Macworld UK. Visit Macworld UK’s blog page for the latest Mac news from across the Atlantic.

Mac gamers waited quite a while for Batman: Arkham Asylum (), and the excellent Batman: Arkham City seems to be coming to the Mac sooner than later, but about a year after it was released on the PC. In the meantime, younger bat-fans and their parents can while away a few rainy afternoons with Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, the sequel to Lego Batman: The Videogame ().

The Lego series of games has been very successful, so the developers haven’t tried to change the winning formula. Most of the time you play as either Batman or Robin, as the dynamic duo take on the combined forces of The Joker and Lex Luthor. The action is simple but enjoyable, mostly consisting of your character running and jumping, and you constantly hitting the Action button in order to thump the hordes of hired henchman that come swarming onto each level.

Fortunately, the level design is varied and entertaining, with a number of puzzles thrown in to make you stop and think. Lego Batman 2 also brings along a few of Batman’s super pals from the Justice League, including Superman, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman. Much of the fun lies in switching from character to character and using each one’s powers to solve problems and escape from tight spots.

Lego Batman 2 has a two-player option that allows a friend to fight by your side. However, this only works if the other person is physically there with you. There’s no online mode that allows you to play with someone else over the Internet. The game works best with a USB gamepad—some actions (such as aiming the Batarang) are awkward when using a keyboard and mouse.

It’s also a bit annoying that the game doesn’t really bother to provide much artificial intelligence when you’re playing on your own. If you’re playing as Batman, your sidekick just follows along aimlessly without taking part in the action.

Bottom line

Lego Batman 2 isn’t a particularly ambitious sequel, and it’s a shame that long-standing flaws such as the poor artificial intelligence haven’t been improved. However, the addition of new super hero characters does add to the fun, and Lego Batman 2 is slick and enjoyable enough to keep younger gamers battling away for hours on end.