LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Video Game Review

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham proves once again that developer Traveller's Tales (TT Games) has got these LEGO games down to a science. While not really evolving much as far as new gameplay goes, LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is still a fantastic and fun game to play solo or co-op with your friends and family.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Trailer

Big Bad Brainiac

The plot of Beyond Gotham is all over the place. It's a big adventure that jumps between Earth and Space. Brainiac - the big bad - is after all the Lantern Corps (our outer-space protectors) and with them under his control he seeks to collect entire worlds as his own trophies.

The Justice League's work never ends.Courtesy of WB Interactive

With his sights now set on earth, it's up to Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Superman and the rest of the Justice League to stop Brainiac in his tracks saving not only earth, but the entire galaxy. This is a fight too big for them alone though. Eventually even classic villains side with the Justice League to help take down this massive mutual threat.

Batman and Joker fighting on the same team? Yup, it all goes down in LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham.

Familiar Fun

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I wish Traveller's Tales would take bigger risks in bringing something new to the table as far as gameplay goes in the LEGO games. But I can't blame them for sticking with what works. As always you'll run around detailed LEGO environments where nearly everything in sight can be smashed to itty-bitty pieces with environmental puzzles littering the levels, tasking you to use each of your rosters abilities in order to complete them.

Batman and Robin chilling in the Bat-Cave.Courtesy of WB Interactive

You'll use Batman's Investigative mode to see through walls, Cyborg's Giant Suit to smash through obstructions and Wonder Woman's Bracelets to deflect lasers cooperatively to best some these puzzles. While never frustrating, I found a few of the puzzles to be a little tough to wrap my head around but it mostly came down to me not seeing something in the environment or forgetting that a character had an ability to conquer it. With multiple characters each with multiple suits and abillites at your disposal at once, it can be tricky keeping track of everything at times.

Good guys team up with bad guys to stop a greater threat!Courtesy of WB Interactive

Thankfully, main missions and boss fights are genuinely entertaining and the quick, witty humor is thrown around in spades. One of my favorite boss fights is against Brainiac on a shrunken earth. It takes place in Europe as you run around a miniature city, attempting to deflect Brainiac's Shrink Ray back at him while also fighting back a horde of henchmen.

The classic Bat-Suit from the 60's. Awesome.Courtesy of WB Interactive

It must be noted that from time to time there was some serious frame-rate issues. Nothing that got in the way of gameplay or hampered the fun. But from time to time when there is a lot happening on screen at once, the game would chug along briefly - at least with the Wii U version which was used for review.

The Little Details

While gameplay didn't surprise me, there were still a few unexpected but greatly welcomed surprises in the form of Conan O'Brien making an appearance as the custodian of the Bat-Cave and the Hall Of Justice. Adam West (the original 60's Batman actor) also needs saving numerous times throughout each area which is ridiculous but awesome.

Batgirl is always ready for action.Courtesy of WB Interactive

Where LEGO Batman 3 shines is in the little details.Travellers Tales just nails the characters of the DC universe and it really makes me appreciate the work they do.

Take the Flash as an example. The dude runs at a blurring speed, with his trademark firey trail ghosting behind him but if you just nudge the analog stick to make him creep slowly, his legs and arms are still moving incredible fast. It's hilarious to watch. Another nice touch is when you take flight with Wonder Woman or Superman, with each of their old-school musical themes playing as you do.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham continued to consistently charm me and find ways to bring a smile to my face all the way through its adventure. No small feat.

Collectible Overload

As you'd expect by now from a LEGO game. It is jam packed with content. it took me about 9 hours to complete the main story. But if you want to find every hidden item or unlockable character, you're going to have to put in some serious time. There's about 150 playable characters after all on top of the Red Blocks to find which provide cheats such as Mini Characters and Unlimited Fuel. There is also a large assortment of vehicles to unlock via tokens as well as the aforementioned Adam Wests' in Peril.

Conan O'Brien makes an unexpected appearence!Courtesy of WB Interactive

The soundtrack deserves a quick nod as well. It's awesome. Mostly because it includes a lot of classic Danny Elfman stuff from the Tim Burton Batman movies of the 90's.

How does LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham stack up against other recent LEGO games? I'd say it's somewhere between the incredible high of LEGO Marvel Superheroes and the better than expected LEGO The Hobbit. It's definitely better than The LEGO Movie Videogame.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is available now on all major platforms!Courtesy of WB Interactive

Final Thoughts

Traveller's Tales has made another solid adventure packed with fan service. The inclusion of DC characters, themes and easter-eggs from the 60's as well as Conan O'Brien assures that adults can enjoy LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham as much as children. It's a perfect game to sit down and play cooperatively with the family and offers plenty of bang for the buck. If you're a LEGO video game fan, this latest Batman adventure is worth a go.

LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is available now on all major platforms.

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