LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is, on paper, a recipe for monumental success; it’s nigh impossible to find a box that it hasn’t ticked. Its unique, original tale weaves together iconic Batman moments from across the worlds of film, television, comic books, and video games in a move that’s sure to satisfy all fans of the Caped Crusader. The dynamic combat and open-world exploration is reminiscent of that found within the acclaimed Arkham Trilogy, and all of this is accompanied by TT Games’ expert use of the LEGO franchise’s trademark humour. And after having gone hands-on with the title at this year’s Gamescom, I can attest that this feels like a title poised to exceed expectations.

That’s a big claim, I know - especially as I only spent around 45 minutes with the title - and yet, it’s one I make with the utmost confidence. TT Games formulated a new benchmark with the release of LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga in 2022. It’s a game that I, alongside so many others, sank endless hours into. Not only did the title bring Star Wars’ vast universe to life with frankly unprecedented scale and attention to detail, but it also introduced an incredibly engaging and competent combat system where fluid switching between different character classes revolutionised the dynamism of the gameplay.

It’s clear that this formula has been retained here; LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight features an enormous open-world where players will get to explore several of Gotham’s islands, freely switching between characters as they do so. Prior to taking on a story level, I had the opportunity to explore a small section of Tricorner Island and despite being locked into a specific couple of blocks of this area of the map, I certainly wasn’t short of things to do.

This is a LEGO game, so you’re never low on opportunities to smash anything in sight into smithereens, collecting a ton of studs in the process. Perhaps more importantly though, your efforts are required in maintaining peace in Gotham. Much as they do in Insomniac Games’ Marvel’s Spider-Man series, crimes-in-progress will appear as you swoop and grapple your way around the map, allowing Batman to put a stop to various robberies, muggings, and fights.

My short bout of exploration also led me to discover several collectibles including what appeared to be a jigsaw piece left behind by the Riddler. I’ll admit, I didn’t have time to figure out exactly how to obtain the precariously positioned item, but I’m going to hazard a guess that collecting such artifacts could lead to an interesting encounter with the famed puzzle-fiend. My abandonment of this item was due to my sudden spotting of a racing time trial. Yes, there are opportunities to speed through Gotham in your Batmobile, garnering studs for hitting gold, silver, and bronze tiered time targets. I also spotted rings in the sky which I assume are flight trials operating to a similar effect.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Credit / Warner Bros. Games

And this is only a fraction of what the wider world has to offer - a world which, I must stress, is a joy to traverse. Batman can freely grapple and fly, with pressing ‘X’ on PlayStation 5 after immediately hitting a grapple point providing a nice flight boost, plus there are wind vents around the city if you’re lacking height. This all fills me with excitement as it’s clear that nowhere in Gotham is out of bounds, painting the picture that this is a true treasure trove of secrets, Easter eggs, and plentiful activities.

And that fluid traversal plays nicely into the combat which I more significantly got a flavouring of whilst taking on a story mission that took me to Ace Chemicals in search of the Red Hood. In close quarters combat, Batman can punch and kick his way through a group of enemies, with amusing comic book-stylised captions sometimes appearing as you land successful blows. Hitting quick time event button prompts will also permit Batman to parry or dodge incoming attacks, depending on whether it’s a fist or bullet flying your way.

It’s important you make use of your gadgets too; Batman’s grapple can draw you closer to enemies, or them to you, whilst your trusty Batarang can yield damage at range. Should you manage to sneak up on an enemy, stealth takedowns are also available - and that’s only what Batman has to offer.

There are seven characters you’ll be able to switch between throughout this adventure. It's perhaps a modest number for a LEGO title, but I’m certainly not against TT Games opting for quality over bloat. During this particular mission, I also had control over Commissioner Jim Gordon whom I could switch to with the simple touch of a button. Gordon has control of what I’m going to call a goo gun which was incredibly helpful in incapacitating hefty brutes for a few seconds so that I could revert to Batman to land some damaging blows.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, Credit / Warner Bros. Games

Much like in LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga, utilising various characters’ abilities is also crucial is progressing through the puzzle elements of story levels. While exploring Ace Chemicals, I was required to use Gordon’s goo gun to seal pipes, for example, allowing Batman to safely cross a previously inaccessible area. This is all very much of TT Games’ established formula, and I don’t want you to think I’ve oversold the notion that LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is a game that could exceed expectations.

LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga had one glaring weakness for me; it felt fragmented. It’s something I eventually grew accustomed to, but I also know friends who’ve been unable to look past its episodic formula. It’s something that can, especially in those early hours, make the game feel ‘bitty’ or disjointed. I don’t get a sense that’ll be a problem here. While I’m unsure of how you’ll cross from one of Gotham’s islands to another, it really does feel as if LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is more traditionally what we might consider an open-world to be. It paints the opportunity for this to be a game that feels more harmonious than TT Games’ predecessor.

It also frankly looks leaps and bounds better - and LEGO Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga already looked fantastic. TT Games has seemingly managed to pull off an aesthetic that is quintessentially LEGO whilst also maintaining the gritty realism of Gotham City. Plus there are new difficulty options this time around, eradicating the criticism of those who say LEGO titles are off-puttingly easy.

I’m not making it subtle that I’m well and truly on the hype train, but I totally believe LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight deserves such hopeful anticipation. Based on what I’ve played, exploring Gotham has never felt so good. I sense that 2026 may have just gained another banger.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is scheduled to release in 2026 on PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X/S, and Windows PC.

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