Lego Batman 2 is a mash-up of all the DC Superheroes and Villians in one place, where players will need to battle through Gotham City in attempt to thwart the bad guys, unlocking new playable characters along the way. While the first playthrough is perfect for puzzling together what to do next, after each level is finished they are nearly as much fun to play through again as you search for secrets and use characters that have abilities you didn’t have the first time to unlock and discover hidden objects.
One of the great appeals of Lego Batman 2 is the ability to play as 50 different DC heroes and villains, such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Joker, Lex Luthor and more. You’ll need to play through the Story Mode to unlock many characters though, and will have to play through and earn enough Legos to buy even more characters, just as in other games in the Lego series.
As you play through, there’s a cooperative mode in which both players start on the same screen at the same time. Whenever they are close enough, they share this view, but as characters explore different parts of the area, the game shifts into a top/bottom split screen mode. The effect can be jarring and slightly disorienting at first, but once you’re used to it, it’s nice that each character basically has free roam of each level, without having to worry about what the other is doing, although the point of the game is usually to help each other out and use complementary abilities to progress.
Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is a fantastic game for playing together, although the constant beat-em-up violence, dark storyline and multiple suits and controls make it better suited for more experienced gamers. Theres so much to explore and unlock, and with a humorous storyline to boot, that Lego Batman 2 is a perfect family-friendly game for tweens and up, and should especially appeal to boys and their dads who like to play together.