Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is a Lego-themed action-adventure video game developed by Traveller's Tales, for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Nintendo 3DS, Wii, Nintendo DS, Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, and iOS.[1][2][3] The game is a standalone sequel to Lego Batman: The Videogame and the second one in the Lego Batman series. Its main storyline revolves around Batman and Robin joining forces with the Justice League to thwart the Joker and Lex Luthor's plan to have the latter become President. As such, the game's selection of playable characters includes heroes and villain from the larger DC Universe, though the focus remains on Batman.

Lego Batman 2:
DC Super Heroes
Cover art for Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes
Developer(s)
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Jon Burton
John Hodskinson
Jonathan Smith
Designer(s)Jon Burton
Programmer(s)Steve Harding
Artist(s)Leon Warren
Writer(s)David A. Goodman
Composer(s)Rob Westwood
SeriesLego Batman
Platform(s)
Release
  • JP: 16 September 2010
  • NA: 19 June 2012
  • EU: 22 June 2012
  • AU: 27 June 2012
OS X
  • WW: 6 September 2012
Wii U
  • WW: 21 May 2013
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

The game featured dialogue and an open world to explore, the first in the Traveller's Tales' Lego series to do so. It was released in North America on 19 June 2012.[4] The Mac OS X version of the game, published by Feral Interactive, was released on 6 September 2012.[5] The Wii U version was released on 21 May 2013. A direct sequel titled Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham was released in November 2014, and a spin-off, Lego DC Super-Villains, in October 2018.

Gameplay

Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes features an open world setting, where full exploration of Gotham City is granted. The gameplay is similar to its predecessor, Lego Batman: The Videogame, but allows players to play as classic Batman characters and other various DC Comics superheroes, such as Robin, Batgirl, Green Lantern, Superman, The Flash, and Wonder Woman.[6] There are 75 playable characters.[7] New gadgets such as Robin's Hazard Cannon, Green Lantern's Power Ring, Superman's heat vision, and a Power Suit for Batman were introduced.[1][2] An optional 2-player cooperative play mode is also present.[8] However, a split screen is used, due to the game having an open-world environment.[8] The Wii U version allows the use of the gamepad's screen instead of a split screen, allowing both players to have independent screens.[9] Most of Gotham City can be broken into "bricks", as players can use the broken bricks to build new suits or construct objects that can help solve puzzles.[7]

Plot

In Gotham City, an award show attended by the city's finest is being held. After Lex Luthor loses the "Man of the Year" award to Bruce Wayne, much to his frustration, a band of villains led by the Joker attack the ceremony and rob the audience, with the Joker stealing the award. Sneaking out, Bruce dons the Batsuit, before he and Robin defeat the villains - Harley Quinn, the Riddler, Two-Face, and the Penguin. The Joker attempts to escape via motorboat, but is ultimately defeated at a nearby carnival.[1][7][10] The villains are imprisoned at Arkham Asylum, while Superman arrives to congratulate Batman and Robin, much to the former's frustration. Later, believing he could use the Joker's mind controlling gas to be elected President, Luthor breaks him out of Arkham using the "Deconstuctor" - a kryptonite-powered weapon which deconstructs unbreakable black objects. The Joker then uses the Deconstructor to release more inmates, before he and Luthor make their escape. Batman and Robin respond to Commissioner Gordon's distress call and round up the Penguin, Two-Face, Harley, the Riddler, Catwoman, Bane, and Poison Ivy after chasing them through a maze in the asylum's yard, as well as Scarecrow inside the asylum. However, Batman then realizes the Joker has escaped, and finds some bricks affected by the Deconstructor, which emit an energy signature.

While responding to a break-in at Ace Chemicals, Batman and Robin realize it was the Joker's work and seach for clues as to what he is planning, but the factory is destroyed by a series of explosive chemical reactions provoked by the villain. The duo are rescued by Superman, who puts out the fire, before learning that the chemicals Joker stole can be used to create synthetic kryptonite. Using the Batmobile's on-board computer, Batman and Robin track down the signature to Luthor's armored vehicle the Juggernaut, but fail to prevent them from escaping, as the Batmobile is destroyed by the Deconstructor. Shortly after, Luthor and the Joker track down the Batcave via a transmitter placed inside the synthetic kryptonite that Batman took, as their plan all along was to steal Batman's supply of kryptonite - which he holds in case Superman ever turns evil. As the villains destroy the Batcave and escape with the kryptonite aboard Luthor's aircraft, Batman and Robin escape with Superman's help.

While Robin stays behind to salvage what's left of Batman's equipment, Batman reluctantly goes with Superman to Metropolis, where they fight their way through LexCorp and stumble upon a giant Joker-esque robot piloted by Luthor and the Joker, which they use to subdue the pair, before flying to Gotham. Batman and Superman follow them, but upon exposing the robot's kryptonite power source, the latter is weakened, causing the pair to crash in Gotham. The pair make their way to the city hall, where Luthor attempts to use the Joker's gas to influence the public and win the Presidency campaign, only to discover the gas causes people to only adore the Joker. After Superman damages the robot's power source, causing it to leak liquid kryptonite, Batman and Robin (who built a multi colored Batmobile to counter the effects of the Deconstructor) have it chase them around Gotham, creating a giant Joker face, which is seen from the Watchtower by Martian Manhunter. He calls the rest of the Justice League - Wonder Woman, Cyborg, Green Lantern and the Flash - to help, causing Luthor to attempt to destroy Wayne Tower in a final act of retaliation.

As Superman struggles to prevent the tower from collapsing, the other heroes battle the Joker robot on top, causing it to fall down below. With the robot destroyed, the Joker and Luthor - wearing a power suit armor - attempt to battle the heroes on their own, but are ultimately defeated, while Green Lantern helps Superman save Wayne Tower. With the villains on their way to jail, Commissioner Gordon thanks Batman for saving Gotham once again, to which he admits he couldn't have done it without his friends' help, and that he is glad to have friends that he can always count on. As the League prepare to rebuild the Batcave, Green Lantern shoots a beacon from his power ring into space in victory, which is seen by Brainiac, who utters "I have located it", hinting at a future title.[11]

Development and marketing

A promo for the game was leaked online by Lego fansite, Bricktuts.[12] On 15 March 2012, the game's first reveal trailer featuring gameplay for Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes was released to the public.[7][13] During the 2012 Game Developers Conference a 45-minute demo of the game was limited to eyes-on only.[8] A demo was later released on Xbox Live on 19 June, the day of the game's release, and PlayStation Network on 26 June 2012, while a Microsoft Windows demo was released on 20 June 2012.

Voice cast

Lego Batman 2 is the first game in TT Games' Lego series to feature full voice acting, as opposed to the mime acting and the grunts, mumbles and gibberish of the previous titles.[14] Cam Clarke was the voice director of the game. Clancy Brown reprises his role as Lex Luthor from the DC Animated Universe. Troy Baker (who voices Batman in the game) reprises his role as Two-Face from the game Batman: Arkham City. Steven Blum (who also voices The Penguin in the game) reprises his role as Captain Cold from Batman: The Brave and the Bold.

Soundtrack

The game's background music consists of Danny Elfman's score from Batman, John Williams' score from Superman, and original music written by Rob Westwood. It has been described as "just right".[15]

Film adaptation
Main article: Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite

Warner Premiere released Lego Batman: The Movie – DC Super Heroes Unite, a direct-to-video animated film adaptation of the video game produced by TT Animation. The film uses cutscenes from the game as well as new scenes to replace gameplay.[16] The film, produced and directed by Jon Burton, was released on 21 May 2013.[17]

Reception

The game was well received, with critics praising its refined gameplay, story, and voice acting, although it was criticized for some minor and sporadic technical glitches.[18] Game Informer gave it an 8.25 out of 10.[10] The game holds an 80 on Metacritic for the Xbox 360 version,[19] and an 81 for the PlayStation 3 version.[20] Andrew Laughlin, of Digital Spy reported that Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes was the best Lego game yet, admiring the game's new features, and original story.[15]

Sequels

On 27 May 2014, it was announced that the third installment in the Lego Batman series would be called Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. The game was released in November 2014. Also a spin off to the Lego Batman trilogy called Lego DC Super Villains was announced on May 30, 2018 and released on October 16, 2018

Downloadable Content

Exclusively on the console versions of the game were released 2 Add-on Packs: The Heroes pack and the Villains pack. The Heroes pack included 5 new characters: Nightwing, Katana, Shazam, Zatanna and Damian Wayne. The Villains Pack included as well 5 new characters: Bizarro, Captain Cold, Black Adam ,Black Manta and Gorilla Grodd.

gollark: You can rewrite it 5 times and it'll still be quicker than making it work in C.
gollark: But there's no talk of a Python 4 soon.
gollark: I have never actually had this problem aside from the 2/3 split.
gollark: Python is unlikely to change core features around ever and there's tons of warning if they deprecate functions.
gollark: This would be faster and segfault less in Python.

References
  1. Stuart, Keith (6 January 2012). "Lego Batman 2 to star Superman and Wonder Woman". Guardian. London. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  2. "'Lego Batman 2' Announced, Includes Tiny Justice League". MTV. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  3. "New toy sets confirm LEGO Batman 2: Super Heroes". MCVUK. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  4. Yip, Spencer (19 March 2012). "Lego Batman 2 Built Arkham City Lego So Lego Superman Can Fly In It". Siliconera. Retrieved 15 April 2012.
  5. "Feral Interactive: LEGO Batman 2 announcement".
  6. "DC Heroes Come to LEGO Batman's Rescue". Co Optimus. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  7. "Preview: Lego Batman 2: DC Superheroes". MTV. 16 March 2012. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 4 April 2012.
  8. Segers, Andre (15 March 2012). "6 Reasons Lego Batman 2 Might be the Best Lego Game Yet". Gamexplain. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2012.
  9. http://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu/lego_batman_2_dc_super_heroes
  10. "Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes". Game Informer. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  11. http://www.ign.com/wikis/lego-batman-2-dc-super-heroes?objectid=124688
  12. 'Lego Batman' Sequel Game to Include Superman and Other DC Superheroes Archived 2 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  13. "LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes– Reveal Trailer". IGN Entertainment. YouTube. 15 March 2012.
  14. "GDC Preview – LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes". PlayStation Lifestyle. Retrieved 5 April 2012.
  15. Laughlin, Andrew (21 June 2012). "'LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes' review (360): The best LEGO game yet". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  16. Vejvoda, Jim (13 October 2012). "NYCC: Another LEGO Batman Movie in the Works!". Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  17. Latchem, John (5 April 2013). "Lego Deconstructs Batman". Home Media Magazine. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  18. "Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes Review". IGN. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  19. "Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes (Xbox 360)". Metacritic. Retrieved 20 June 2012.
  20. "Lego Batman 2 DC Super Heroes (PlayStation 3)". Metacritic. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
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