Holy game-playing Batman! (Lego Batman: The Videogame (Wii))

Member Name: pmcds

Product:	Lego Batman: The Videogame (Wii)
Date:	29/01/09 (67 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Great game

Disadvantages: None really

Lego Batman is the third game in the series of Lego computer games, the first two being Star Wars and Indiana Jones. In this game, Batman gets the Lego treatment, and the general consensus is that the game is better. This is also my opinion, as I found this game more playable and addictive than the other, with many more intricacies and attention to detail than the previous games.

The format of the first two games followed the relevant films in series order, but for Batman it has been handled a little differently. You start in the Batcave with Batman and Robin (no surprises there then!). There are 3 initial levels, each with a villain to beat at the end: Penguin, Riddler, Joker. Each level is split into sections where there is a lesser Batman villain to beat who is acting as a henchman to the main villain of the level. The little intricacies are done very well in the setting of the levels and the attributes of each character.

The fun twist comes when you have completed the three levels. This opens a special area in the Batcave which leads to Arkham Asylum, where you get the chance to control the villains to complete the very same levels but combatting the police this time! It's very cleverly done, and throughout the game you will need to go back with different characters to complete the levels entirely and attain the 100% completion percentage to signify you have done everything possible in the game.

There are also special levels to play once you get to a certain point in the game, as you can access Wayne Manor amongst other things. The playability is intense and high, and it is more addictive than the other two Lego games. I found that the characters and the controls were better in particular, and trawling through the levels to complete each bit was less arduous than the other two games.

Playability is high, and the overall graphics effect is very well done. The characters are effective and more expansive than before, and it is nice to see an improvement on the previous two games. I sincerely hope that they continue in the mould and release further Lego games featuring well known films or TV series and that the quality keeps on getting better.

Lego Batman is still a relatively new release and as such brand new copies will still cost you between £20 and £30 depending on where you get it. Pre-owned copies or used ones are likely to be less, but not necessarily significantly so. Either way, I recommend playing the game - it's highly entertaining and addictive.

Summary: Excellent latest Lego game for the Wii