LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Review (PS5, PlayStation 5)
Summary: LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight isn’t just another iterative entry in the franchise; it's a new vision defined by varied gameplay, gorgeous upgraded graphics and clever storytelling. Whether you’re gliding across Gotham's skyline, piecing together detective puzzles or laughing at a perfectly timed gag, the game delivers a rich, polished experience that honors the Dark Knight in a way only LEGO can.
5
BAT-LEGO 5/5
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight arrives with the kick-ass confidence of Batman taking on his entire rogues’ gallery, and after a few bumpy years at TT Games, this new entry feels like a multiverse reboot, delivering a focused, cinematic and surprisingly atmospheric take on the Caped Crusader. It is all built from LEGO (kind of) with a rich homage to the 86-year history of “The Bat-Man” and the Arkham games, including plenty of cameos!
From the get-go, the game threads together iconic moments, locations and characters from Batman’s legacy with a perfect mix of authenticity and sharp LEGO humour with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. As soon as the game starts, you’re in for a treat as a Bat-fan whether it’s a young Bruce searching for his Grey Ghost costume, his inevitable fall into a pit of bats, or even a clever meta-joke about Crime Alley.
The writing lands perfectly, especially later on such as in the banter between Jim Gordon, Nightwing, Robin and the Dark Knight himself. Furthermore, the narrative complements the gameplay beautifully, and I love how TT Games provides such fun, deep insight into Bruce Wayne and the rest of the playable cast. And yes, this actually happened…
Also, rather than just throwing you into the boots of an established hero, the game explores his origin story, which is brilliantly voiced by Shai Matheson. It follows his journey from that fateful night in Crime Alley, through his time as a young, unshaped trainee under Ra’s al Ghul and the League of Shadows, right up to his “first” Batmobile, and finally to the defender of Gotham with his team of Nightwing and Batgirl. Needless to say, being able to revisit these legacy moments is a true delight and again, the signature LEGO humour puts a fun yet respectable twist on the Dark Knight’s history.
Best of all, the attention to detail on the characterisation extends to the wider cast, offering unique snapshots into the histories of all playable characters. We see Commissioner Jim Gordon’s evolution into one of Gotham City’s few honourable police officers, as well as the inner workings of Selina Kyle (aka Catwoman) and Robin becoming Nightwing. This is all handled flawlessly, as is the control system… FUIYOH!
Additionally, local couch co-op works a treat—though it’s worth noting that there is no online multiplayer support, so you’ll need a second controller next to you on the couch and just be warned that your fellow Bat-family member might steal the items you were hoping to collect. Further, controlling vehicles such as the Batmobile or the Gordonmobile (err, the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) car) is super fun, as is racing around the dark streets of Gotham with your co-op buddy, which takes things to a whole new level. And then you have the Batglider, which again channels the Arkham Asylum series, plus the grappling hook, which would give a certain spider-hero a run for their money. This reinforces just how sturdy the control system is and yes, I’m Batman!
What really makes Legacy of the Dark Knight stand out is its massive visual leap that looks absolutely spectacular on the PlayStation 5. The move to Unreal Engine 5 gives Gotham a sense of weight and texture that previous LEGO titles could only dream of. The city glows with neon reflections on rain-soaked streets, creating a moody, noir-tinged atmosphere that still feels unmistakably LEGO. The Batcave, Nanda Parbat and Wayne Manor are perfectly designed by TT Games in a faultless fashion.
The minifigures themselves are also rendered with immaculate detail, from the microscopic scuffs on Bruce’s cowl to the cloth texture of capes shifting with movement, and this uncanny realism draws you deep into the world. Another cool part of the game is the epic cutscenes; the first scene of Batman walking towards the corrupt police officer Arnold Flass, who is trapped in his car, is priceless, and the interrogation scene is also quite amusing. However, there was one hiccup with the graphics, and while media outlets received an early code prior to release, I noticed some frame rate drops on the PS5 Pro in the more demanding open-world areas early on. However, after the latest patch (16 May), the developers seem to have addressed this optimization issue, and since then, there have been no problems.
From an audio perspective, the soundtrack brilliantly channels the films with a score that swings from brooding to uplifting. The voice acting is equally spot-on, as are all the sounds of Gotham with all its subtleties and, of course, combat.
While the gameplay loop retains that classic, comforting LEGO DNA, the structure is elevated by a true open-world design as you explore this larger-than-life city of Gotham with plenty of citizens to save from the endless crime spree. Combat also borrows heavily from the Batman Arkham series, though it is intentionally more approachable, and as a result, my daughter LOVED playing this title with me in co-op. Chaining together attacks, dodging, tossing Batarangs mid-combo and triggering environmental takedowns all feel fluid without demanding frame-perfect timing. Additionally, boss battles are a treat and I love the finishers, including the multiplier hits that reinforce why Batman is badass.
Yet, it’s the stealth mechanics that truly elevate the experience, such as dropping from vantage points, distracting enemies and slipping through the shadows, which gives the gameplay a great tactical rhythm. The game also utilises “Detective Vision” to seamlessly assist with puzzles (which are on the easy side) and navigation, which points you in the right direction.
On the PS5, the DualSense controller adds a subtle layer of immersion, letting you hear the tactile click of LEGO bricks through the controller speaker as you build equipment, or allowing you to hear dispatches from the GCPD. Furthermore, the studio has made excellent use of the controller’s specialised hardware, as you can genuinely feel the distinct, mechanical tension in the adaptive triggers when firing the grapple gun, and the haptic feedback provides a subtle rumble that mirrors the shifting weight of capes and gadgets. Best of all, LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight works an absolute treat on the PlayStation Portal, which I tested out locally via Wi-Fi and then out on the road thanks to the mobile network.
Playable Characters
Playable Characters
| Character | Key Abilities & Gadgets |
| Batman | Martial arts mastery, Batarangs, Batclaw |
| Robin | Acrobatic combat, Birdarangs, Battle staff |
| Nightwing | Electrified gadgets, Extended-reach staff |
| Batgirl | Tech hacking, Hackarang, Remote drone scout |
| Jim Gordon | Ricochet rubber rounds, Machine-freezing foam |
| Catwoman | Whip traversal, Claws, Stealth wall-scaling |
| Talia al Ghul | League of Shadows dashes, Stun blow darts |
In relation to the characters, this deliberate shift away from the “hundreds of characters” approach seen in older LEGO games pays off massively. By limiting the core roster to seven tightly designed heroes, every single character switch feels fresh, distinct and technically different as you need to swap between characters for puzzles or rely on a teammate in multiplayer.
Between missions, the Batcave serves as a fantastic customizable hub, complete with vehicles, suits, trophies and Bat-Mite’s shop. The sheer variety of unlockable cosmetics, ranging from Michelle Pfeiffer’s iconic Batman Returns Catwoman suit to a Jeffrey Wright-inspired Jim Gordon, is an absolute celebration of Batman’s history across film, comics and television. Depending on your completist level, Warner has multiple ways to score additional costumes—with a price, of course.
And for veteran players who usually find LEGO games too easy, the inclusion of multiple difficulty settings, including the punishing Dark Knight Mode, finally offers a genuine challenge in this gaming franchise. On this setting, hunting down skill upgrades for both combat and exploration becomes an absolute necessity rather than an optional afterthought. Even with an abundance of these new mechanics, a bit of the classic LEGO grind still exists, but thankfully the distinct characters and upgraded gameplay loop more than make up for it.
Final Thoughts
LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight isn’t just another iterative entry in the franchise; it’s a new vision defined by varied gameplay, gorgeous upgraded graphics and clever storytelling. Whether you’re gliding across Gotham’s skyline, piecing together detective puzzles or laughing at a perfectly timed gag, the game delivers a rich, polished experience that honors the Dark Knight in a way only LEGO can.
It is this exact blend of reverence, humor and cinematic ambition that ties the whole package together. Most importantly, the game never forgets it is a LEGO game, yet it never undercuts the genuine emotional beats of Bruce’s journey. It’s a spectacular tribute to Batman’s legacy that manages to be both wonderfully playful and genuinely engaging.
Recommended!
About the Author
Andrew Bistak When he's not trying to save the world, Andrew enjoys travel (although loathes turbulence), going to the movies, reading and being a dad to his two dogs (and now twins) with his wife.
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