Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, a Tech Talk Game Review

Title:

Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham

Genre

Action/ Adventure platformer

Platform

PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3, PS4, Wii U, Wii.

Story

Brainiac, an android from space, has kidnapped the leaders of the Lantern Corps in order to power a weapon to shrink the planet Earth. The same day, Lex Luthor and the villains of the DC-verse storm the Justice League's space station. While Lex and company are quickly thwarted, Brainiac must be stopped. The heroes and villains must band together to save the planet.

Mechanics

This is very simple while doing a lot of things at once. One button will switch from one character to another (thus far, Maximum has been 5 on the screen at once). The same button to switch characters can also allow you to change the character into different forms (mostly from one character into their half-dozen suits of various powers), or, holding it down longer in free play sections can lead to choosing from the expanded cast roster of dozens of characters. The jump button does different things for different characters — be it double-jumping or flying. The special abilities button can do something as simple as activate scanners, and holding it down arms and lets you target with a ranged weapon.

Gameplay

This was tough at times because most of it was melee, and many of the stages where you have set characters have very limited play styles. Basically, Lego figures are beating up on each other.

Music/Graphics

The music was a surprise. The default soundtrack is the Danny Elfman Batman theme. But when Superman starts to fly, the main theme from Superman starts -- or the Lynda Carter Wonder Woman when she starts to fly. This soundtrack steals large parts of the show.

And the graphics sufficed. This isn't the Lego Marvel game.

Morals/Appropriateness

It’s a Lego game. I’m going to pretend that no one is really and honestly concerned about that.

Community/Multiplayer

No community, but there is co-op throughout the game.

Addiction Danger

Too short for that.

Problems/Ending Comments

I finished the main story, but this was all over the place. The main story felt like there was no room to breathe. It was easier for me to navigate the entire Lego Marvel New York in Lego Marvel Superheroes than for me to go over the Justice League space station, 6 aliens planets, a moon base, and other things they just sort of threw at the viewer. This game was far too short. I think the main campaign is only a few hours, and there is almost zero effort at making things interesting after the main campaign.

You know things are bad when it takes 4 years to make a sequel between Lego Batman and Lego Batman 2, but only 2 years happen between 2 and 3.

My Rating: 7/10.  Above average. It's fun putting all of these characters together, but this is far, far too short.

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Copyright 2015 John Konecsni.