LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes Review

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, developed by TT Games and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, arrived on the Nintendo Wii in 2012 as a significant evolution for the popular LEGO video game series. Moving beyond just the Caped Crusader, this action-adventure platformer brought the entire DC Super Heroes universe into the brick-built fray. This LEGO Batman 2 Wii review explores its groundbreaking features and enduring appeal.

Gameplay: Open-World Gotham and Voice Acting

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes on the Wii retained the beloved core LEGO gameplay of smashing objects, collecting studs, and solving environmental puzzles. However, it introduced two major innovations that set it apart: a fully explorable open-world Gotham City and, for the first time in a LEGO game, full voice acting.

Navigating the bustling streets and soaring above the rooftops of Gotham as Batman, Superman, or other heroes was a joy, offering countless side activities, collectibles, and random encounters. The inclusion of spoken dialogue, replacing the traditional mumbles, added a new layer of charm and humor to the storytelling. The Wii version utilized motion controls for specific actions, like flying as Superman or aiming Batarangs, which generally felt intuitive and enhanced the experience. The game also excelled in its family-friendly co-op, allowing two players to seamlessly drop in and out of the action.

• Expansive open-world Gotham City hub
• Full voice acting for all characters
• Classic LEGO smashing, building, and puzzle-solving
• Intuitive Wii motion controls for certain actions
• Seamless two-player local co-op multiplayer

Story and Characters: The Justice League Arrives

The plot of LEGO Batman 2 sees Lex Luthor and The Joker forming an unlikely alliance to wreak havoc on Gotham. To combat this unprecedented threat, Batman and Robin are forced to call upon the aid of the wider Justice League, including Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, and more.

This massive expansion of the character roster was a huge draw, allowing players to control dozens of iconic DC Super Heroes and villains, each with unique powers and abilities crucial for solving puzzles and exploring the open world. The game’s narrative is filled with the signature slapstick humor and witty dialogue that TT Games is known for, making it enjoyable for all ages.

Graphics and Sound: Vibrant and Expressive

On the Nintendo Wii, LEGO Batman 2 presented a bright and colorful rendition of Gotham City and its inhabitants. While not pushing the console’s graphical limits, the distinctive LEGO aesthetic is perfectly suited to the platform, making the characters and environments pop. The character animations are expressive, particularly with the added voice acting.

The sound design is excellent, featuring an orchestral score that swells during key moments and the familiar sound effects of LEGO bricks breaking and building. The voice acting, a first for the series, was generally well-done and added significant personality to the characters.

Replayability and Content: A Hero’s Playground

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes offers an immense amount of content. Beyond the main story levels, the open-world Gotham is teeming with side quests, races, collectibles, and unlockable characters and vehicles. The Free Play mode encourages revisiting levels with new characters to uncover hidden secrets. Completionists will find dozens of hours of gameplay in their quest to collect every stud, Minikit, and Gold Brick.

Is LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes on Wii Worth Playing Today?

Absolutely. LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes on the Wii remains a fantastic action-adventure game, especially for families and fans of LEGO games and DC Comics. Its groundbreaking open-world design, the addition of voice acting, and the massive roster of superheroes make it a highly enjoyable and replayable experience. It’s a shining example of how to evolve a beloved franchise while retaining its core charm.