I remember when I was little, I had an absolute fun time playing with Lego. Oh the memories I had assembling a bundle of blocks together to fulfill whatever imagination I had at the time. Even today when I see the Lego store, I get all giddy inside. I never got the chance to really dive into the video game versions. But now is the chance with the Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes. With the PlayStation Vita version in my hand, will it have the same amount of satisfaction?
Right from the start, the game appears to be friendly and welcoming. Even the whole action is pretty cute as you see the villains engage in their mischievous ways. The story begins with Lex Luthor attending a special evening event when all of a sudden, Joker barges in with his friends to wreck havoc. And as always, you have Batman and Robin coming to stop them. But helping them are other superhero favorites of the Justice League, including Superman, Wonder Woman, and the Green Lantern, all with unique abilities and powers.
Obviously taking place in Gotham City, Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes will have you going around beating up bad guys and facing super villains as bosses. The wonderful aspect of this Vita game is that once you defeat these bosses, they are included in your list of playable characters.  So if you prefer to play as a bad guy, you have the option to do so but that is only when you earn that right.
The controls behind Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is logically arranged in a similar scheme in other adventure/fighting type of games. To perform a jump, you press the X button and attack is with the square button. Then you have two other buttons that’s specific to the Lego games:  building up Lego pieces is done with circle and switching between characters is with triangle.
Additionally, you can perform special moves with your characters. For example, while using Batman, by holding down the square button or simply touching on the screen, you’ll be able to aim at enemies to fire off your Batarang at. Special powers can also be unleashed by holding down the circle button. On top of that, if your character is wearing different costumes, there will be a different set of skills involved. However, these can only be switched during certain points during the game.
In total, Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes spans through 15 chapters which translates to at least 10 hours of gaming fun. Apparently with Lego games, revisiting completed levels to collect more studs is ideal since these act as currency. To add to that, there are 250 golden bricks in total hidden all throughout the levels. Some even require a specific character special ability to obtain them. Furthermore, there are other bonus items to collect and characters waiting to be unlocked. As a result, this Vita game successfully retains its replay value.
One complaint with Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes is the camera. Sometimes, the viewing angle can be awkward, leaving you vulnerable to unseen attacks from enemies coming out of nowhere. This is a common problem for games that don’t give you the chance to control the camera.
The graphics in this Vita game has a nice touch with solid colors and kid-friendly character designs. In addition, the environments are also beautiful and run smoothly with the animations and effects on screen. However, the cut-scenes do display some noticeable pixilation due to compression. Thus, it may not necessarily be the best looking game out there in comparison to others out there. But for a Lego game that is geared for players of all ages, the graphics are well-done.
The music and sound effects are the game’s highlights.  Everything from the attacking sounds to the chimes from collecting special studs gives that certain Lego charm. Also, hearing the main Batman theme helps to bring back memories of the good old DC cartoons. And because the voice acting remains true to the original cartoon versions, the dialogue during the cut scenes are actually enjoyable and humorous to watch. At some point, I even forgot that I was playing a Lego game. The effective voice acting really breathes life into the world of Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes.
With a list of 50 playable characters each with their own exceptional super powers and attributes, this Vita game has a lot of content to offer. The action will keep you hooked while the wacky and goofy moments will bring a smile to your face. Whether you’re a Batman fan or simply love Lego, there’s something for everyone here in the Vita world of Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes.
