LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Review – Let’s Put a Smile on That Face

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It’s been a surprisingly long time since fans have gotten a new, major Batman video game. Over a decade has passed since the release of Batman: Arkham Knight, and people are still waiting for a new, high-quality game starring the Dark Knight.

We were pleasantly surprised by Arkham Shadow a few years back, but considering it was only for VR, the disappointing launch of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, and the long wait for another Batman game, it’s hard not to question Warner Bros.’ direction with the Batman franchise.

As the title suggests, Legacy of the Dark Knight draws inspiration from across the entire Batman world, incorporating ideas and references from previous video games, comic books, movies, and other sources.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is the latest game in the LEGO Batman series, and it finally delivers the Batman experience fans have been hoping for. Taking cues from the Arkham games in terms of gameplay and style, it features a story rich with hidden details and references to Batman’s long history. Plus, it’s packed with the familiar charm, humor, and replayability that defines TT Games’ LEGO titles, making it a well-made, comprehensive, and genuinely fun Batman game.

As the title suggests, Legacy of the Dark Knight draws inspiration from the entire history of Batman, including previous games, comics, and movies. The story follows Bruce Wayne’s complete journey, beginning with the tragic loss of his parents, his training with the League of Shadows as a ninja, and ultimately his rise as Gotham’s protector against a gallery of well-known villains.

While LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight doesn’t offer a groundbreaking story, it successfully blends familiar Batman tales into a fun and enjoyable experience, especially for fans. The game is clearly made with a lot of affection for the source material, and it delivers the classic LEGO humor we all love, with funny jokes, visual gags, and clever writing.

The best part of Legacy of the Dark Knight is its gameplay, which is very similar to the Arkham games. The combat, for example, features the same smooth, fast-paced fighting style. You’ll battle groups of enemies with different weapons, armor, and strengths, using punches, kicks, dodges, and counters. Gadgets are also key to success. Overall, Legacy of the Dark Knight strongly resembles and expertly recreates the combat experience found in Batman: Arkham.

Let me be clear: this is still a LEGO game, so don’t expect the intricate fighting system of the Arkham series. Like other games from TT Games, LEGO Legacy of the Dark Knight keeps things simple and easy to pick up for players of any age. Even though it’s simplified, the combat is genuinely enjoyable. Sometimes the straightforward battles can feel a little repetitive, but most of the time, the Arkham-inspired fighting in Legacy of the Dark Knight is a lot of fun.

Okay, so Batman isn’t just about punching people, right? He’s all about being sneaky, striking from the shadows, and generally terrifying the bad guys. And Legacy of the Dark Knight really lets you play that way – mostly. It’s pretty clearly inspired by the Arkham games, but it’s a lot more simple and direct in how it does things.

The game lets you quietly take down enemies, use gadgets to create distractions or knock them out, and swing between locations. With these core elements, Legacy of the Dark Knight creates a stealth experience that feels a lot like Rocksteady’s Batman games. While it simplifies some of the more complex features and adopts a lighter tone – it doesn’t focus on intimidating enemies – the combination of combat and stealth works really well. This is especially true as you unlock more tools, weapons, characters, and abilities.

It’s always a pleasure to explore the city, with so many enjoyable activities to choose from.

When I’m not busy fighting bad guys or sneaking around, there’s a ton to do in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. You get to freely roam around a really awesome version of Gotham City. Seriously, they nailed the look and feel – the dark, gothic buildings, the dramatic weather, the lighting… it feels like Gotham! And the best part is, they blended all that classic Gotham atmosphere perfectly with the LEGO style. It just looks fantastic, honestly.

The design of Gotham in Legacy of the Dark Knight is really well done. Don’t expect a huge, sprawling open world like Arkham Knight or Arkham City, but the city offers a fantastic sandbox experience. It’s divided into several unique districts, each with its own style and plenty to do. Players can stop crimes, solve the Riddler’s puzzles, find hidden chests, collect items, and participate in many other side activities.

It’s always a pleasure to explore the city, with a constant stream of fun activities to enjoy. Getting around Gotham is particularly exciting – you can grapple and glide like in the Arkham games, complete with dive-bombing and fast travel. Plus, as you progress through the story, you’ll unlock vehicles like the iconic Batmobile and Batcycle to help you navigate the streets.

Driving the vehicles is incredibly smooth and responsive, and moving around Gotham City is a joy thanks to excellent gliding and traversal systems. Getting around never feels like work, especially with all the engaging side missions and activities to keep you entertained.

Beyond Gotham City, you can visit Bruce Wayne’s Batcave, which is a highlight for any Batman enthusiast and offers some customization options. Like other LEGO games from TT Games, Legacy of the Dark Knight has a lot to offer in terms of replayability, with numerous suits, characters, and collectibles to find – including special items hidden throughout the missions. With a main story lasting around 15 hours and tons of extra content, the game will keep players entertained for a long time.

“There’s no shortage of things to love about Legacy of the Dark Knight.”

Honestly, I was really impressed with how well Legacy of the Dark Knight runs. I mostly played in Performance Mode and didn’t run into a ton of problems. There were a few little glitches here and there that were a bit noticeable, but overall it was super smooth and looked fantastic – the graphics are seriously detailed! And the music? It’s amazing how they pulled in themes and sounds from all throughout Batman’s history, really adding to the experience.

There’s a lot to enjoy in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. It’s a great Batman game that will keep fans happy until the next major release. It takes the popular Arkham gameplay and simplifies it in a fun way, all wrapped up in another delightful and addictive LEGO adventure from TT Games. While it might not be the ultimate Batman game, it’s exactly what fans need right now.

This game was reviewed on the PlayStation 5.

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2026-05-18 15:19