Lego Batman: The Videogame

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Lego Batman: The Videogame
Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Lego Batman: The Videogame is a 2008

Mac OS X. The game is based on the DC Comics character Batman, as well as the eponymous LEGO Batman
toyline.

The game is similar to earlier Lego games developed by

Mac OS X version of the game was released in April 2009 by Feral Interactive.[2] The game received positive reviews, and spawned two sequels: Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes and Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, as well as a villain-themed spin-off, Lego DC Super-Villains
.

Gameplay

An in-game screenshot showcasing combat with Riddler henchmen

The core gameplay of Lego Batman is similar to that of previous Lego video games, such as

Batboat, and Batwing. New moves to the series first featured in Lego Indiana Jones: The Original Adventures are featured in this game. New abilities introduced in this game include picking up and carrying enemies and walking on tightropes across buildings. Up to two players can play in co-operative mode,[6] except in the PSP version which does not feature this mode.[7]

There are thirty levels in the game (divided into fifteen each for the heroes and the villains)[8] as well as two secret levels, which sees the player exploring miniature versions of the Wayne Manor and Arkham Asylum to collect studs. There are many different environments in the game, usually based upon the villains' crime styles, including an ice cream factory, a botanical garden, and the Gotham sewers. The game is divided into chapters, each containing five levels.[6] Chapters are divided equally between heroes and villains, having three chapters each.[6] Completing a hero chapter unlocks the corresponding chapter for the villains.[6] As in previous Lego video games, levels are unlocked for "Free Play" mode once they are completed in Story Mode.[6] "Free Play" allows the player to replay any level they have completed, but with any characters they have unlocked so far.[6] This permits access to special areas containing additional collectibles, where the player was unable to get to before. This is unlike Story mode, in which the player may only switch between the two characters involved in that scene.[6]

The level hub for the heroes, similar to the

Spoiler can be created in the character creator.[10]

Players are able to swap the costumes of each of the main heroes (Batman,

Robin, Batgirl
, and Nightwing) with many differing ones, each containing unique abilities and different color schemes. Batman starts in a classic grey suit, while he and Batgirl can wear the Glide suit that lets Batman/Batgirl fly for a short time, the Sonic suit that can break glass, the Demolition suit that lets Batman/Batgirl set down bombs and detonate them, and the Heat Protection suit that lets Batman/Batgirl survive in extremely hot temperatures. Robin and Nightwing can wear the Technology suit that can activate Tech panels, the Water suit that lets Robin/Nightwing go underwater, the Magnet suit that lets Robin/Nightwing climb up magnetic walls, and the Attract suit that can vacuum up loose Lego pieces and turn them in for bonuses. Devices providing these suits must be built with Lego bricks during Story Mode, but when the player finds those suits, they will be linked to their corresponding characters in "Free Play" mode.

Nintendo DS

An in-game screenshot of Lego Batman: The Videogame, on the Nintendo DS

The Nintendo DS version was altered to accommodate the memory and size limitations of the DS as well as include touch screen controls. Characters' special abilities, such as Batman's grappling hook (when pulling background objects) and detonation capsules, and elements such as switches can be controlled by using the touch screen, as well as switching characters. Some characters' special abilities, attack moves, and jump moves have been changed. For example, Batman can do double-jumps in the DS version, but not in the console versions. Also, when Batman and Robin use a suit switcher pad, they cannot switch back to the previous suit. There are no cinematics, only slideshows featuring comic book-style panels.[11]

This version also features several more characters not available in the console versions and includes an exclusive unlockable minigame called "Villain Hunt", which is used to unlock 10 of the extra characters:

Ventriloquist and Scarface, Ra's al Ghul, Hush, and the Joker (Tropical suit). Some other characters did not make it into the Story Levels, but can be unlocked in different ways than in the console versions - they include: Talia al Ghul, Azrael, Huntress, and Killer Moth (the version from the Teen Titans
TV series). Another thing that is not in other versions is that there is always a bossfight at the end of a stage.

Mobile phone

In-game screenshot of the mobile version of Lego Batman: The Videogame

A mobile phone version of the game was also released by Glu. However, it plays much more like a straightforward platformer with scrolling beat 'em up elements, removing key gameplay features such as the ability to switch between characters with different abilities. The game is single-player only and players can only play as Batman. It was later released as LEGO Batman: The Mobile Game by Gameloft in 2011.[12][13]

Plot

Lego Batman: The Videogame is notable for being the first Traveller's Tales Lego game to have an original plot. Unlike previous Traveller's Tales Lego video games, it is based more on the concept of a media franchise, rather than following the plot of a particular movie or other story from it. The game features Batman and Robin fighting crime and villainy in Gotham City. Batman's most dangerous foes have all escaped from Arkham Asylum and divided themselves into three groups of five, each led by a well-known villain with plans to achieve a personal goal:

The game features two distinct campaigns: a hero storyline, where Batman and Robin fight the villains one by one while attempting to thwart their schemes; and a villain storyline, where the player assumes the role of the villains as they attempt to carry out their plan while avoiding the

GCPD
. Both campaigns consist of three individual chapters (one for each villain group), which can be played in any order. The hero levels often cross over with the villain levels to create a sense of continuity. To understand the complete story of a chapter, one must play both the hero and villain levels (for example, Bane is never encountered during the hero portion of the Penguin's chapter because he had already been captured by the GCPD in a villain level).

At the conclusion of the villain chapters, the chief villain and their top lieutenant successfully begin putting their plan into motion, while the rest of the group is captured, while the hero chapter conclusions have Batman and Robin thwarting their schemes and sending the villains back to Arkham.

Development and release

An early build for the

Lego Harry Potter: Years 1-4
.

Though material is taken from the

DCAU
.

Audio

The game's soundtrack is Danny Elfman's score from Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film.[15][16] The Nintendo DS version of the game uses some music from Batman Returns. Characters's vocal effects were provided by Steve Blum (as Batman, Joker, Killer Moth, Killer Croc and Two-Face), James Arnold Taylor (as Robin and Nightwing), Tom Kenny (as Riddler, Penguin, and the Police Officers), Fred Tatasciore (as Bane and Hush), Grey DeLisle (as Harley Quinn and Batgirl), Dave Wittenberg (as Scarecrow and Ra's al Ghul), Ogie Banks (as Mr. Freeze and Clayface), Vanessa Marshall (as Poison Ivy and Catwoman) with Chris Edgerly (as Mad Hatter and Man-Bat) and Keith Ferguson (as Alfred Pennyworth and James Gordon). Collette Sunderman voice directs this game.

Reception

Lego Batman received generally favorable reviews from critics upon release.

Bane, Catwoman, and Man-Bat only scratch the surface of the game's catalog of great characters."[29] The Nintendo DS version was nominated for "Best Action Game of 2008 on the DS" by IGN.[31] As of August 2010, the game has sold over 7 million copies worldwide.[32] As of January 2012, the game has sold over 11 million copies worldwide.[33] The Russian magazine Igromania gave the game a mixed review, stating "It's still good, but nowhere near as brilliant as LEGO Star Wars", citing the lack of jokes about the Batman movies.[30] During the 12th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards, the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences nominated Lego Batman for "Outstanding Achievement in Adapted Story".[34]

Sequels

A sequel, Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, was announced by Warner Bros to be in development by Traveller's Tales. Released in June 2012, the game's characters and models are inspired by the Lego DC Super Heroes sets. A third game, titled Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, was released in November 2014.[35] A spin-off, Lego DC Super-Villains, was released in October 2018, around the time of the original game's tenth anniversary.

References

  1. ^ Cohen, Peter (25 March 2009). "Feral to release Lego Batman for Mac April 9th". MacWorld. Archived from the original on 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  2. ^ "Feral Support | LEGO Batman". Feral Interactive. Archived from the original on 27 July 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
  3. ^ Ahearn, Nate (16 July 2008). "E3 2008: LEGO Batman Hands-on". IGN. Archived from the original on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 29 August 2008.
  4. ^ a b Pellett, Matthew (23 September 2008). "LEGO Batman: The Videogame: Gotham's worst will brick themselves". GamesRadar. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008. Retrieved 28 September 2008.
  5. ^ a b Ahearn, Nate (20 February 2008). "GDC 2008: LEGO Batman First Look". IGN. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Lego Batman: The Videogame Playstation 3 Instruction Manual. Sony Computer Entertainment. p. 37.
  7. ^ Hargreaves, Roger (14 October 2008). "LEGO Batman: The videogame". www.pocketgamer.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  8. ^ a b Yang, Robin (15 July 2008). "The Dark Knight snaps into his LEGO debut". Game Daily. AOL. Archived from the original on 1 September 2008. Retrieved 10 August 2008.
  9. ^ Donahoe, Michael (20 February 2008). "Lego Batman: The Videogame (PS3)". 1UP. Archived from the original on 16 July 2012.
  10. ^ "LEGO Batman: The Videogame Guide/Walkthrough – PS2, PlayStation 2 Walkthrough – IGN". Guides.ign.com. Archived from the original on 31 December 2010. Retrieved 30 December 2010.
  11. ^ Harris, Craig (16 October 2008). "LEGO Batman Review". IGN. Archived from the original on 14 May 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  12. ^ Andrew, Keith (31 October 2008). "LEGO Batman: The Mobile Game". www.pocketgamer.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  13. ^ Spencer, Spanner (31 October 2008). "There's a LEGO Batman in the mobile belfry". www.pocketgamer.com. Archived from the original on 1 November 2019. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  14. ^ "Bits N' Bricks Season 3 Episode 34: Holy Game Development, LEGO Batman" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 December 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
  15. ^ a b Cook, Brad. "Your LEGO Shall Have No Other Wings But That of a Bat". Apple. Archived from the original on 6 April 2009. Retrieved 13 September 2009.
  16. ^ "LEGO Batman: THE VIDEOGAME Credits". Lego Batman.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  17. ^ "Lego Batman: The Videogame Reviews for PC at Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  18. ^ "Lego Batman: The Videogame Reviews for Xbox 360 at Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  19. ^ "Lego Batman: The Videogame Reviews for PS3 at Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 20 April 2011. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  20. ^ "Lego Batman: The Videogame Reviews for Wii at Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 24 April 2012. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  21. ^ "Lego Batman: The Videogame Reviews for PSP at Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  22. ^ "Lego Batman: The Videogame Reviews for DS at Metacritic". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
  23. ^ a b Hilary Goldstein (23 September 2008). "LEGO Batman Review". IGN Review. Archived from the original on 29 April 2009. Retrieved 10 September 2009.
  24. ^ Philip Kollar (25 September 2009). "Lego Batman: The Videogame (Xbox 360)". 1up. Archived from the original on 17 July 2012.
  25. ^ Tom Mc Shea (27 September 2008). "Lego Batman Review". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 10 December 2008. Retrieved 27 September 2008.
  26. ^ Chuck Osborn (24 September 2008). "Lego Batman". Official Xbox Magazine Online. Archived from the original on 26 September 2008. Retrieved 25 September 2008.
  27. ^
    ISSN 1080-4471
    .
  28. ^ Jonathan Hunt (29 September 2008). "LEGO Batman: The Videogame Review". XPlay. g4tv.com. Archived from the original on 10 February 2018. Retrieved 30 September 2008.
  29. ^ a b Ben, "LEGO Batman: Time to build something new", Game Informer 187 (November 2008): 116.
  30. ^ a b "LEGO Batman: The Videogame". www.igromania.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 20 August 2022. Retrieved 20 August 2022.
  31. ^ "IGN DS: Best Action Game 2008". IGN.com. 15 December 2008. Archived from the original on 15 February 2012. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
  32. ^ "Lego Harry Potter ships 2.7M, Lego Batman hits 7M". Gamespot. 4 August 2010. Archived from the original on 13 May 2022. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  33. ^ Makuch, Eddie (27 February 2013). "Lego Batman series sales hit 14.4 million". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 11 October 2020. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
  34. ^ "D.I.C.E. Awards By Video Game Details Lego Batman: The Videogame". interactive.org. Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  35. ^ "LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham Coming This Fall!". ComingSoon.net. 27 May 2014. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2020.
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