Scan the skies for the Bat-Signal: at Intel Gaming Access we’re lit up about LEGO® Batman™: Legacy of the Dark Knight. It’s available now, and the word is… well, awesome. Every LEGO brick has been crafted with love for the IPs — the ever-inventive universes of DC and the LEGO brand. TT Games, creators of the best-selling LEGO games series, including the critically acclaimed LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, is of course the team responsible for this opus of awesomeness. Matt Ellison, Executive Producer at TT Games, picked up the Batphone and called up Intel Gaming Access to tell us more.
LEGO® Batman™: The Videogame came out in 2008; the first sequel, LEGO® Batman™ 2: DC Super Heroes was hot on its heels in 2012; followed by LEGO® Batman™ 3: Beyond Gotham in 2014. There’s a long legacy of LEGO Batman games to draw on, and this iconic character has an incredible history beyond that. Where do you start? “We are drawing on the decades of Batman media, from films, television shows, comics, and games, to bring together the most iconic Batman moments in a unique way with an original story,” Matt tells us. “The beauty of telling this story through the lens of the LEGO brick is that it allows us to put a humorous spin on some of these moments in fun ways that will surprise and delight players.”
We don’t want to drop any spoilers, but you already knew it was going to be funny. From The Joker gleefully trashing the world’s greatest artworks, which you might recognize from a past Batman film (all rendered in LEGO form, natch), to the sheer joy of iconic locations, vehicles and gadgets (Wayne Manor! The Tumbler! Batarang!), this is a constant delight. You’ll even get calls on the Batphone from Bane, and believe us, you want to pick up. Bane is voiced by Matt Berry, from What We Do in the Shadows, whose vocal stylings are totally unique and completely hilarious. Shai Matheson makes his debut here as LEGO Batman and absolutely nails the gargled-with-gravel tones of the Dark Knight. There are callbacks and references galore as the game draws on a rich legacy at the same time as pushing the envelope. But newbies have nothing to worry about. “This game is for everyone,” Matt confirms. “Batman fans will recognize all the influences and it’s also a great jumping off point and introduction for anyone who is just learning about the Caped Crusader, which is equally exciting.”
The great thing about the story of Batman is how it expands in its retelling across genres and mediums. Never played before? No problem. Never even heard of the Batman? Well, unlikely, but this game doesn’t care, it’s going to bring you right up to speed. “With this game, we wanted to tell the definitive Batman story,” Matt affirms. “From origin to legend. Players will start as a young Bruce Wayne, training with the League of Shadows and ultimately becoming the Dark Knight and the legend that is Batman.” And if you’re a fan, no matter what era your best Batman is from, Legacy of the Dark Knight will serve it right up.
“Players will take on the role of Batman as he builds a family of crime-fighting allies,” Matt explains, “all with unique abilities and gadgets to unlock and upgrade throughout the campaign to become increasingly powerful, while facing off against Gotham City’s most notorious DC Super-Villains.” We have to talk about the villains, because the list is so extensive—and they’re so fun to see in LEGO form. You know that Bane will make an appearance (and, if you’ve seen the trailer, you’ll know he’ll come to grief on a LEGO brick). So does Two-Face, Mr. Freeze, The Penguin, and Poison Ivy. For the other side, Catwoman makes a whip-cracking contribution, and there’s Robin the Boy Wonder, along with Nightwing, Batgirl, Jim Gordon, and Talia al Ghul as playable characters (besides Batman of course). And faithful servant Alfred Pennyworth is in the mix. As the game references decades of DC’s Batman, the wardrobe is going to have to be pretty extensive to bring every look to life. And it is.
“There are also 100 wearable suits to collect so you can pick and choose your favorites to customize the playable characters,” Matt tells us. The detail is incredible, with shoutouts to vintage Batsuits, and cheeky touches such as the stiffness of Batman’s cape mimicking those worn by actual LEGO minifigures. Once you’re all dressed up, where are you gonna go? “Gotham City is an open world LEGO playground that you’ll love exploring. There’s something to discover around every corner and on every rooftop. You can grapple, glide, or drive an array of Batmobiles. Or you might even get on to a train!”
We’re so excited for this title. TT Games always brings the fun to that patented LEGO blend of brick-built brilliance and IP-inspired excellence. What other riff on a franchise takes its inspiration so seriously while being so completely off the wall? Intel is happy to be part of the fun. “We appreciate Intel’s continued support to help get the word out to the PC community,” Matt says. Go and test your skills on LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, available now on Steam!