LEGO Batman Takes Flight (page 3 of 4)

Classic villains include The Riddler, The Penguin, and of course, The Joker. Backing them up are some 20 lesser villains, including Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, Two-Face, and Harley Quinn.

Classic villains include The Riddler, The Penguin, and of course, The Joker. Backing them up are some 20 lesser villains, including Scarecrow, Mr. Freeze, Two-Face, and Harley Quinn.

"Robin's vacuum suit is one of the coolest upgrades in the game," says Doyle. "It can suck up LEGOs in the environment... then you reach a station where you can unload all of the bricks and build a new object, like a door or a platform. You don't know what it's going to be until you get there." You'll access these new costumes at certain quick-change stations in each level. Plus, as in LEGO Star Wars, you can replay already completed levels with the new suits in order to access hidden locations. Far more exciting than the costume changes, however, is that LEGO Batman will allow you to play through the story from both sides of the law: Between each of the 36 levels, the storyline alternates from the perspective of Batman and Robin to their nemeses. There will even be separate "hub" areas: the heroes will operate out of the Batcave, while the villains will launch their do-baddery from the sinister Arkham Asylum.

Although story details are shielded under a heavy shroud of secrecy, we do know that Joker launches a plot to kidnap Commissioner Gordon and sets a trap for Batman and the Boy Wonder in an abandoned amusement park. These scenes seamlessly mix logic puzzles with dexterity challenges, such as leaping across the tracks of a decaying rollercoaster. Once the action switches over to the dark side, you'll control The Joker and Harley Quinn as they dodge the police en route to a major showdown with the fuzz-a boss battle where you must use a crane to drop explosive teddy bears on the pigs' paddywagons. Another, more acrobatic battle is set across the dark rooftops of Gotham. In it, Batman clashes with Catwoman after she swipes a sparkling LEGO diamond. In a charming cutscene, Catwoman distracts Batman with a kiss (to the utter disgust of youngster Robin), only to lose the diamond over the edge of the roof. But who swoops in to snatch it up? None other than the Penguin, who makes off with the goods on the draft of his flying umbrella. This scene seemed to be heavily inspired by Batman Returns, right down to the set design and lighting. Rumor has it that the Riddler's caper involves a daring break-in at Fort Blox, the LEGO equivalent of Fort Knox. Sounds like a job for Batman!

Batman can swap costumes mid-level to access new abilities, such as explosives and gliding.

Batman can swap costumes mid-level to access new abilities, such as explosives and gliding.

The Riddler befuddles a security guard.

The Riddler befuddles a security guard.

BUILDING THE DARK KNIGHT

The combat in LEGO Batman promises to be the next evolution of the lightsaber-driven battles in Star Wars. In addition to a widely expanded array of close-range grapples, all of the characters will have ranged combat abilities. For Batman and Robin, that means they'll be busting out their signature Batarangs. But our heroes' signature weapons are far more than standard projectiles. Holding down the ranged attack button brings up a targeting reticule that you can move around the screen, stacking several consecutive targets before unleashing. You may recall this type of interface from later Zelda games, Rez HD, or even Panzer Dragoon. Traveller's Tales is determined to incorporate Wiimote gestures into the Wii version of the game, using swipes for Catwoman's whip and control jiggling to build LEGOs with your hands. "We'll got with whatever's the most fun," says Doyle.

Of course, the Batarang is only the tip of the Batberg. LEGO Batman will also feature action on land, sea, and air with sequences utilizing the Batboat, Batwing and the Batmobile, in addition to villain-driven vehicles, including the Scarecrow's biplane (which was designed from an actual toy available in a real LEGO Batman playset). "These will be free-roaming vehicle levels, rather than on-rails," explains Doyle. "They're in the style of the Hoth levels in LEGO Star Wars II. Lots of exploration, lots of explosions."

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