LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham

I like Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham, but I don’t love it as much as I’ve loved previous games in the series.

The third Lego Batman game is a copy-paste from other Lego games made by Traveller's Tales. At this point it's getting pretty frustrating to see the exactly same game with new characters and some minor tweaks. This isn't a bad game, I've just seen this same stuff so many times before. [Feb 2015]

More of the same only with added super pals, but the formula is still well-executed and enjoyable. [Feb 2015, p.65]

More of the same yet again, but the developers’ obvious love for the DC Universe easily spreads even to someone who’s not into comic books very much. [01/2015, p.82]

A treat for comic and LEGO fans, but also nothing we haven't seen before.

Bizarrely, BG drops the open-world setup that's made the most recent Lego games such grand experiences. [Jan 2015, p.86]

Nothing if not affable. This is highly polished, confident and competent stuff. It may not be as expansive as recent iterations, but Traveller’s Tales does not make bad videogames, and this is absolutely no exception.

As far as Lego games go, it’s not perfect, but it delivers a solid story and a plethora of DC characters to play around with, which is more than ICE can ask for.

Basically, the same great PS3 title we reviewed a while back, but portable and with exemplary CrossPlay functionality. Being able to whip out your Vita and pick up from where you left off (by downloading a Cloud save) is an absolute godsend and the synching process is flawless. [January 2015, p80]

Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is another solid and humorous jump into the world of Lego and the DC universe. It has issues, such as sloppy AI and a sluggish start, but that aside, the game is packed with references pouring out of its ears.

An engaging and often hilarious joyride.

A unique fan-service for DC Universe lovers, just another (good) LEGO game for everyone else.

Poor pacing and the worst celebrity voiceovers of the year mar what could have been the definitive Lego game, but in the end is just another fun but shallow co-op game amongst many.

The game has a lot of content, but struggles with keeping you coming back for session after session.

While it does a good job of showing off Batman's past, its haphazard level design and disappointing hub worlds mean that this is a step back compared to Lego Marvel Super Heroes. [Issue#252, p.60]

This time around the repetitiveness feels somehow heavier than usual, and cameos don't work well as they should. The first sign of the need for some innovation on the future LEGO videogames.

Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham is an uninspired sequel that does not do much to change the stagnant Lego formula. The title instead takes a step backwards compared to the recent Lego games. The adventure still entertains thanks to the humor and charm, but TT Games really have to start innovate the formula now.

Still funny, but already a highly clichéd fairytale about comic heroes who must help each other to overcome the greatest evil. The game offers a minimum of new elements, and sometimes it is confusing and the game experience is spoiled by annoying bugs.

DC Comics fans will get a buzz out of some aspects of the release, while those that really enjoy LEGO titles may find fun here – but everyone else should try the demo first.

Lego Batman 3, like other Lego games before, explores a wealth of characters and locales from the universe it focuses on. Unfortunately, it doesn't come together as well as it could have. The tone is inconsistent, certain levels won't hit fans emotionally, and the inclusion of celebrity cameo characters detracts for the experience at times. It's good, not great.

You could do worse than LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. A lot worse. But if you've played a LEGO game in the last three years and are looking for a new, different experience, you'll be left wanting.