LEGO BATMAN
LEGACY OF THE
DARK KNIGHT

Six Eras, One Batman

Rather than focusing on a single linear storyline, the game shifts between major points in Batman's legacy — from his origins and training with the League of Shadows to his later years as a veteran, technologically advanced vigilante, jumping between comic and movie-inspired versions of Gotham's greatest hero with confidence. In one era, you might be stalking the corridors of the Ace Chemicals plant inspired by Tim Burton's 1989 film. In another, you're running through Arkham Asylum in a near-perfect recreation of Rocksteady's game, except now it's funny. Legacy of the Dark Knight somehow manages to stitch together everything from Batman Begins to Knightfall to Arkham Asylum to Batman: The Animated Series into a single, cohesive tale.

The Arkham Influence

Taking inspiration from Rocksteady's Arkham titles, TT Games has delivered the best-playing LEGO game to date. Fans of the Arkham games will immediately feel that series' influence, which elevates the usual ultra-simple button-mashing mechanics of previous LEGO games by adding Rocksteady's signature system — different enemy types have unique attacks, some of which must be dodged, while others can be countered with the familiar button input appearing above their heads before striking.

The result is combat that is immediately readable to any Arkham veteran while still being accessible to its younger LEGO audience. There are three difficulty levels — a first for the LEGO franchise — though the highest level was only mildly challenging. The combat offers a surprising amount of depth; its more cartoony vibe allows for far more creative uses of the Bat-cast's toolbelts.

Six Characters, Six Toolbelts

With half a dozen playable characters, each with their own unique weapons, skills, and abilities, combat is as varied as it is fluid. Nightwing's electrified gadgets are a personal favourite, though the upgraded Batman ability that lets him toss three Batarangs at once is easily the most used tool. The game does a good job of making you want to use the varied characters and gadgets while also mechanically encouraging you to do so — certain puzzles require specific characters. Need to hack a gadget? Batgirl needs to swap in.

Each chapter introduces a new companion for Batman — training alongside Talia al Ghul at the League of Shadows, taking on Carmine Falcone with Jim Gordon, battling Mr. Freeze with Batgirl, and seeing Dick Grayson's journey from Robin to Nightwing. The character roster is the deepest TT Games has ever created for a single LEGO title, and most of them genuinely feel distinct rather than reskinned variations.

Gotham as an Open World

The open-world Gotham is Legacy of the Dark Knight's most impressive single achievement. It's oppressive, full of neon against tall dark structures, and of course, constantly raining. Gotham itself is a canvas on which TT Games has painted as many references as they possibly could. Players can grapple, glide, or drive through the environment, zipping from building to building with Batman's grapple launcher, soaring over the city with the Batglider, or cruising around in style with a range of Batmobiles and Batcycles.

Side activities, crimes, AR Trial challenges, Puzzle Rooms, and WayneTech Cache hunts fill the map generously. The density of content is comparable to Arkham Knight's Gotham, which is high praise. The Batcave is a wonderfully customisable hub that tracks your collection progress, displays your vehicles and suits, and serves as the emotional centrepiece of the whole experience.

Where It Falls Short

Stealth is Legacy of the Dark Knight's least consistent element — it's either far too simple, with enemies lined up with their backs to you, or simply intended as an entrance move, with enemies so clustered up that you can only take out one or two before being seen. The stealth sections never approach the tension or satisfaction of the Arkham originals they're clearly referencing. They feel like they were added as a genre obligation rather than a genuine design decision.

Nightwing felt less distinct from his younger Robin self, as both wield escrima sticks and their gadgets are nearly identical. Catwoman is also present, and while enjoyable to play early on, she feels cast aside by the story's conclusion. The character writing is stronger in the middle chapters than at either end — the prologue is too brief and the finale slightly rushed given how much groundwork the middle sections lay.

And while it's the highest-rated LEGO game ever made, it is still a LEGO game. The combat ceiling is lower than Arkham's. The humour occasionally deflates dramatic moments that might have landed harder with restraint. If you bounced off the LEGO formula before, Legacy of the Dark Knight won't fully convert you — though it will get closer than anything the series has previously attempted.

Difficulty: 4/10 — Estimated Time: 30–40 hours — Missable Trophies: None — Online Required: No — Minimum Playthroughs: 1

Legacy of the Dark Knight has one of the most approachable Platinum lists in recent memory for an open-world game. Nothing is missable, nothing is locked behind difficulty, and the vast majority of trophies unlock naturally through thorough story + open-world play. The three Golds — Story Complete, All Side Activities, All Collectibles — form the backbone. Everything else fills in around them.