As I mentioned in my review of LEGO Incredibles, I have a long-standing appreciation for LEGO. Consequently, I eagerly anticipate new LEGO game releases. My collection is extensive, and I intend to expand it further. I recently had the pleasure of playing what I consider to be the finest LEGO game to date. This presents a challenge, as I may need to recalibrate my grading scale should WB Games release a title that surpasses LEGO DC Super Villains!
Metropolis is in chaos. Villains are rampant, and the entire Justice League has been displaced to another dimension. In their place, shadowy counterparts from Earth 3, known as the Justice Syndicate, have emerged, led by Ultraman (a Superman analogue) and Owlman (a Batman analogue). This situation demands intervention! Therefore, under the self-proclaimed leadership of Lex Luthor, the Joker, Scarecrow, and a host of other antagonists unite to confront these malevolent copies.
LEGO DC Villains follows a structure familiar to players of recent LEGO titles. Gameplay involves destroying objects to collect studs, which are used to purchase upgrades and unlock abilities. Players construct items and collaborate with other characters to progress through levels. While the core mechanics are consistent, the game provides ample guidance, ensuring players are never completely lost and can easily follow indicators to the next objective.
A notable addition is the ability to create a custom supervillain from the ground up. Players have access to a wide array of heads, arms, legs, bodies, weapons, and powers, with new options unlocked throughout the game. This custom character plays a significant role in the narrative, collaborating with established villains. Traveller’s Tales has injected humor into this feature. Lex Luthor’s initial comment upon seeing the player’s character, “Who made your costume?!”, immediately establishes the game’s comedic tone.
Humor is a prominent element of the game, offering witty dialogue throughout the adventure, reminiscent of a LEGO movie without excessive improvisation (unlike, perhaps, LEGO Ninjago filmen). In addition to the main missions, the game features numerous engaging side quests and a vast open world to explore. Players can traverse Gotham City and Metropolis, and even visit Smallville, Superman’s hometown. The character customization options remain accessible at any time, and players can explore the expansive city environments. After a significant playtime, I had only unlocked approximately 15% of the content, indicating substantial replay value.
One might ask: “Given its similarities to other recent LEGO games, why award it a perfect score?”
The answer lies in the fact that Lego DC Super Villians exhibits a superior understanding of its characters and narrative compared to other recent LEGO adaptations (with no disrespect to Zack Snyder). The characters align with their comic book counterparts and, while they may not be portrayed as entirely villainous (evolving into anti-heroes), this approach is far more successful than, for instance, the widely criticized Suicide Squad film. Why is it that almost everyone understands how to handle DC Comics characters except those responsible for the newer feature films?
Beyond the developers’ understanding of the characters, they have also brought them to life with an impressive cast of voice actors. Upon starting the game, the Joker appears, and I immediately recognized the voice. A quick search confirmed my suspicion: Mark Hamill has reprised his role as the Joker! Furthermore, Kevin Conroy, the iconic voice of Batman from the animated series and several of the Arkham games, returns to his signature role. Lex Luthor is voiced by Clancy Brown (Starship Troopers), and Scarecrow is voiced by Jeffrey Combs (Re-Animator films and Frighteners). This dedication to casting elevates the experience significantly. The perfect score reflects not only the intricate level design and gameplay challenges but also the substantial effort, passion, and investment in crafting an original story and securing the ideal voice talent to bring it to life.
I am thoroughly impressed with my Nintendo Switch, and my experience with DC Villains on this console has been exceptional. The visuals are vibrant and detailed, with a cinematic quality evident in the cutscenes. In portable mode, the frame rate experiences a slight reduction, but the gameplay remains smooth. While the screen can occasionally feel cluttered, especially when accustomed to playing on a larger display, the sharpness remains excellent, ensuring that characters are easily discernible, although finer details can sometimes be challenging to perceive.
In conclusion, this title is an essential purchase for fans of LEGO, DC, and particularly those who appreciate both. A perfect score, and congratulations to WB Games!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmyudLgpGNU
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