LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Combines All My Favorite Batman Movies (And Yours Too)

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Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for LEGO Batman: Legacy of The Dark Knight

I’ve only been able to play the beginning of LEGO Batman: Legacy of The Dark Knight since it came out on the 22nd, but I already think it’s going to be one of my all-time favorite Batman games. What’s really impressed me, beyond how fun it is to play, is how well it captures the spirit of Batman’s entire history, particularly the world of The Dark Knight movie.

Instead of focusing on a single version of Gotham City, Legacy of The Dark Knight brilliantly blends together everything from Batman’s past movies into a fresh, unified universe. It successfully combines elements from the films directed by Burton, Nolan, Reeves, Snyder, Schumacher, and even the Adam West series, and what I’ve seen of it so far is outstanding.

This new LEGO Batman game is a clear labor of love from fans of the Caped Crusader, as evidenced by its use of Seal’s “Kiss From A Rose” – a song famously featured in the 1995 film Batman Forever. With gameplay surprisingly similar to the popular Arkham series, LEGO Batman: Legacy of The Dark Knight is quickly becoming a standout superhero game, packed with memorable moments from Batman movies – both for me and likely for you too.

I Can’t Get Over All The Ways LEGO Has Literally “Rebuilt” Batman’s Entire Movie Legacy

The beginning of the game is incredibly immersive, feeling like you’re experiencing several Batman films all rolled into one.

The story begins with Bruce Wayne witnessing his parents’ murder at the hands of a criminal resembling Jack Nicholson’s Joker, who famously asks, “Ever dance with the devil in the pale moonlight?” Later, as an adult, Bruce confronts Carmine Falcone, a gangster connected to his parents’ deaths, in a scene reminiscent of Matt Reeves’ The Batman, featuring similar bodyguards and a look blending Colin Farrell and Danny DeVito’s Penguin. Interestingly, Falcone’s lines are taken directly from Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins.

Even just considering the story and how it looks, Legacy of The Dark Knight is really fun to play. It also includes clever references to other films, like when Ra’s al Ghul delivers the famous line, “he has a particular set of skills” – a playful nod to actor Liam Neeson and his role in the Taken movies.

In Legacy of The Dark Knight, Jim Gordon’s design is intentionally a mix of different versions. He looks like Jeffrey Wright’s portrayal in The Batman, but his partner, a corrupt detective, is modeled after Detective Flass from Batman Begins. Later in the story, he adopts a hat and scarf similar to how Gordon was shown in the Burton films. Similarly, Selina Kyle’s initial appearance takes inspiration from Zoe Kravitz, but she wears a Catwoman suit reminiscent of the one Michelle Pfeiffer famously wore.

One of the most striking moments is what happens after Batman’s initial battle with the Joker. It echoes the iconic cathedral scene from Tim Burton’s Batman. In Legacy of The Dark Knight, the Joker doesn’t die, but his appearance changes to resemble Heath Ledger’s version from The Dark Knight, and he delivers the line, “Whatever doesn’t kill you simply makes you stranger.” This cleverly sets the stage for his character to evolve into the Ledger-inspired Joker we see later in the story.

As a huge Batman fan, I was blown away by how many different versions of the character and his gadgets are in this game! You’ve got suits based on Ben Affleck’s Batman from the DC movies, the iconic Batmobile from Batman v Superman, and even costumes and vehicles that pay tribute to the classic Batman actors like Adam West, Val Kilmer, and George Clooney. It’s packed with references to the comics and the Arkham games too. Honestly, it feels like a giant, playable love letter to everything Batman – you can really tell it was made by people who are passionate about the source material.

Legacy of The Dark Knight Is Easily One Of Best LEGO Games Of All Time

Beyond the enjoyable nods to classic movies, the game itself is surprisingly well-made. It clearly takes inspiration from the popular Arkham series, particularly in how you fight and move around the large, open-world Gotham City. It’s still easy for kids to play, but the new option to increase the difficulty is a fantastic addition – especially for longtime LEGO fans like me.

Creating a game that includes Batman’s entire history is impressive, but this game goes further – it genuinely celebrates the character with obvious passion and respect. It’s a fantastic tribute to Batman and his decades of stories, and it manages to be a grand, heartfelt experience without feeling forced or cluttered.

Even though I’ve only played it for a short time and haven’t finished the story yet (I’m especially excited to hear Matt Berry as Bane!), I think LEGO Batman: Legacy of The Dark Knight has a real chance of being one of the best games of the year.

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2026-05-24 22:01