Is LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Safe & Fun for Kids? Full Review

Batman has always had self-contained games. And with them, we'd know in advance what kind of Batman we're getting: a powerhouse who smashes everything in his path, a detective who uses gadgets, or the guy beneath the mask, the vulnerable Bruce Wayne. Some games tried to combine different versions of Batman, primarily the Arkham series, but until now, we haven't had access to a Batman like the one offered by LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight.

The special thing about this game is the way it celebrates Batman's long tradition as a character from comics, films, series, and video games. This is probably the only Batman game in which all versions of Batman's costumes, Batmobiles, Gotham's villains, and more have come together. The new LEGO Batman is a kind of celebration of Batman's history, full of references to almost every moment that has defined that history.

In the mood for something completely different? Check out our 007: First Light Review!

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Legacy of the Dark Knight Story and Narrative

The story is an interesting mix of plotlines from various Batman films, blended and shuffled together in a way that feels coherent as a single sequence. It's interesting how it begins with the plot from Batman Begins, then shifts to The Batman, and then to Batman Returns. Although Batman fans already know all these stories, the way they're combined in this game is the best part of the whole package. On top of that, I have to admit the characters here are chattier than in previous LEGO games, which gives the game more room for jokes outside of cutscenes.

Gameplay Mechanics

While the story leans on the films, the gameplay is almost entirely lifted from the Arkham games. LEGO Batman now has an almost identical combat system to the one from Arkham, where Batman jumps from enemy to enemy at the press of an attack button, while you watch for when to land a counterattack or vault over a shield-carrying enemy. The stealth mechanics are similar too, when you stalk enemies from above, as is the movement itself in the form of gliding and grapple-hooking. Then there's hacking towers, blowing up walls, driving the Batmobile, etc., all the things that were fun in the Arkham games.

I don't think copying that homework is a bad thing in this case.

LEGO Batman adds its traditional two-player co-op mode to all of this, and on top of that, has some special touches like decorating your own cave. The only criticism I'd level at the game is that it lacks challenge. It's true that it has multiple difficulty settings, and I know it's primarily aimed at younger audiences, but it's still fairly easy. You can take down enemies without any trouble just by mashing one button, and the only way the game ups the difficulty is by throwing more enemies at you. Which consequently just means even more mashing of one button.

Legacy of the Dark Knight Content and Open World

A ton of content in this LEGO Batman is optional, and outside of missions, you're free to explore Gotham City. There, Riddler's puzzles and WayneTech crates you unlock, and so on, await you. The game has so many different currencies that I can't even remember anymore which one unlocks what. You've got skill upgrades, then gadget upgrades, then you're buying new Batmobiles and suits… Maybe that's too much to collect, but I can't count that as a negative, since the player is left to decide for themselves how much time to dedicate to each activity. If you don't want an open-world game, LEGO Batman can just as easily be played as a linear adventure.

Cooperative play doesn't make much of a difference to gameplay, since the characters mostly share the same abilities. For example, everyone has gliders and can fight in the same way; they each have 1-2 specific skills. Whoever isn't playing Batman takes on the role of a companion character, such as Commissioner Gordon, Catwoman, Robin, etc. The game is otherwise designed to be played entirely as a co-op title, meaning there are no situations where the second player is left waiting to join. Unfortunately, it isn't designed to support online play, which, in 2026, feels like a bizarre decision.

Overall, the gameplay of this LEGO Batman is fun. There's plenty to play through, even more optional stuff to explore, and although the game isn't especially challenging, it at least has good variety. A bit of fighting, a bit of driving, then solving some puzzles, it's all nicely balanced. That said, nothing here will likely knock your socks off, and there aren't really any big surprises. What will surprise you most is the sheer number of references from Batman lore.

Presentation, Graphics, and Sound

Visually, the game is impressive even though we're talking about a blocky LEGO title here. This is probably the first virtual Gotham City I've seen where you can see residents walking around. The environment is detailed, with plenty to destroy, and it's surprisingly faithful to Batman's atmosphere. Gotham is dirty, rainy, and gloomy, just the way it should be. That said, we only ever see it in the evening and at night, so there isn't much visual variety after a while. Bats sleep during the day, after all, so that's a perfectly legitimate explanation.

The sound didn't disappoint. Various themes from previous Batman films are featured musically, along with a handful of original compositions. The voice actors generally try to mimic the actors from the individual films, and although you'll clearly notice that Lucius Fox isn't Morgan Freeman, it's close enough to be convincing. Plus, it helps when you listen to it all through our XP-Panther GT headphones!

Humor and Tone

As is the good old tradition, this LEGO Batman game tries to be humorous and playful at almost every turn. There are all sorts of humor here, from bat droppings and fish-flailing to subtle jokes and references you'll get if you're a person of culture. For instance, Ra's Al Ghul blurts out near the very start of the game that he has a particular set of skills he's developed over a long career. I'd say the humor is endearing and doesn't feel forced; it fits perfectly into the rhythm of the game. Often, that humor isn't even verbal, so in the middle of combat, you'll get little dance finishers with opponents and the like.

Legacy of the Dark Knight In Conclusion

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is, in the end, the most ambitious LEGO game so far. A ton of content, attractive graphics, and interesting ways of weaving together Batman's stories are the main strengths of this title. If you're looking for fun you can share with the youngest gamers, this is the ideal game to draw them into Batman's mythology. That said, don't expect any particular challenge from the game, nor the ability to play it in online multiplayer.

Rating

7.5/10 — A content-packed, visually impressive, and genuinely funny LEGO romp that borrows Arkham's satisfying combat feel, but loses points for being too easy and inexplicably lacking online co-op in 2026.

Recommended Age

Ages 7-12. The combat is simplified to single-button mashing with no real challenge; the humor is broad and family-friendly (bat-poop jokes alongside winking references that adults will catch); and the tone stays light despite Batman's darker source material. Younger kids can enjoy it visually and through local co-op with a parent or sibling, while the lack of online multiplayer is actually a safety plus, keeping play contained to the living room.

Gemini AI Summary

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight blends storylines from multiple Batman films into one cohesive playable adventure while borrowing the Arkham series' combat and stealth systems. It's the most content-rich LEGO title yet, featuring an explorable Gotham City, two-player local co-op, cave customization, and a deep well of collectibles and upgrades. The game leans easy and lacks online multiplayer, but delivers strong production values, family-friendly humor, and a genuine celebration of Batman's pop-culture history, making it an accessible pick for younger players and Batman fans introducing kids to the mythology.