Traveler's Tales is back in Gotham City, delivering another round of brick-bashing combat against the usual bat-themed rogues' gallery. For two decades, the studio has mostly stuck to a cherished, proven formula: transforming blockbuster media franchises into level-based, action-packed adventures. But this time, TT appears to be looking for inspiration not just within its own legacy, but from another corner of the Warner Bros. family, effectively giving fans what they've been asking for: a new Batman Arkham experience in everything but the official title.
Legacy of the Dark Knight shakes up the structure compared to past LEGO outings. Rather than adapting a single, linear story, TT Games has immersed itself in Batman's world, weaving together threads from the hero's most iconic tales across comics and films to craft an original narrative. You'll witness a young Bruce Wayne's origin, seemingly inspired by Batman Begins if the trailer is any indication, before encountering a Joker born from a vat of chemicals, who later evolves into a version echoing Heath Ledger's Oscar-winning portrayal for a chapter or two.
I played a complete mission from the story's early stages, set in an Ace Chemicals facility heavily styled after its appearance in Tim Burton's 1989 Batman film. However, the plot unfolding within those neo-gothic walls draws directly from Ed Brubaker's one-shot comic, The Man Who Laughs, as Batman investigates the Red Hood. The setup is pure, slapstick LEGO fun: Batman is tasked with tracking down three separate shipments of teddy bears to uncover the Hood's sinister plans for them.
This opening segment takes place outside the plant and let me experiment with the instantly recognizable combat system. I pummeled henchmen until their plastic limbs detached and countered whenever a warning signal flashed above their heads. Fans of the Batman: Arkham series will know this rhythm intimately (as will anyone who played the many action games it inspired). Based on my brief experience, however, the mechanics don't seem poised to grow much more complex from this foundation.
"You can't think about being Batman in a video game without appreciating the achievements of our friends and colleagues at Rocksteady," said Jonathan Smith, Head of Production and Strategic Director at TT Games, openly acknowledging the Arkham inspiration and their goal to reach an even broader audience. "So as we started designing a rich, deep Batman combat experience, of course we used that as inspiration, but we also introduced new approaches, particularly around accessibility."
The punches, kicks, and throws are firmly rooted in the moveset pioneered by 2009's Batman: Arkham Asylum. But this is a TT LEGO game designed for all ages, so intricate button combos likely won't become a central focus. Slow-motion finishers add a stylish flair, enhancing that familiar Arkham flow. Overall, the brawling feels solid, if not as viscerally satisfying as in Asylum and its sequels—perhaps because connecting with the synthetic sheen of LEGO bricks doesn't deliver the same meaty impact as pummeling flesh (and yes, I worded that intentionally).
Of course, while the Caped Crusader relishes breaking bones with his brute force, stealth has always been a cornerstone of his games. Again, while not as intricately designed as in the Arkham series, Legacy of the Dark Knight does cater to a stealthier approach. High vantage points loom above enemies, easily reached with a grapple. From there, you can use a detective mode that functions more like an area-of-effect pulse than a toggleable X-ray vision to spot foes below. Stealth takedowns on your chosen target are animated with classic LEGO humor; instead of a silent knockout, Batman might land on them with a minifig-shattering crash from above.
While combat feels deeply inspired by Arkham, the rest of the mission plays out like a classic TT adventure. Platforming involves moving platforms and swinging hooks, while puzzles require switching between characters (or coordinating with a co-op partner) to use their unique abilities. On this mission, I was aided by Jim Gordon, equipped with a foam-spraying gun that fires blobs of goo to overcome obstacles. For instance, Ace Chemicals is, unsurprisingly, full of hazardous spills from broken pipes that block your path. A quick blast from the Commissioner's gun hardens to seal the leak. Further on, a locked door is easily ripped open using Batman's grapple on an obvious anchor point. This swapping between Bat-allies and their skills has been the foundation of LEGO games since the first Star Wars adaptation in 2005, and it retains a certain charm.
This does raise questions about mission variety and the range of puzzles we'll encounter. Navigating Ace Chemicals didn't give me the typical "Metroidvania-esque" feeling I often get from LEGO games—that sense of knowing many secret areas are locked away on a first playthrough, awaiting future abilities. This might be because only seven characters will be playable in Legacy of The Dark Knight, drastically reducing the variety of powers and gadgets, especially compared to The Skywalker Saga's roster of nearly 400. That treasure-hunting replayability is a major draw for many, so if this is the case, it gives me slight pause. Perhaps that aspect of exploration is being reserved primarily for the open world.
I only spent about ten minutes in a small outdoor section of Gotham City but found no shortage of activities. My Arkham muscle memory kicked in as I grappled to a nearby rooftop, launched into the air, and spread my Batwings to survey the crime-ridden streets below. In that short time, I thwarted a crime in progress by taking down some thugs, solved a Riddler trophy puzzle, and attempted a time trial in a Batmobile of my choice—options included The Dark Knight's Tumbler, the muscular monster from 2022's The Batman, and its accompanying Batcycle. Character outfits are customizable, ranging from Golden Age comic interpretations to modern movie looks. How these are unlocked remains unclear, but I wouldn't be surprised if collecting treasures scattered across the open world plays a key part.
Initial impressions that Legacy of The Dark Knight is essentially an Arkham game in a LEGO shell seem accurate. I comfortably settled into the familiar middle ground between dynamic combat and collectathon puzzling that the series has perfected over the years. Based on the hour or so I've spent with it, I'm feeling optimistic. This could be the perfect experience to keep Arkham fans satisfied until Rocksteady—or another studio brave enough to take up the mantle—answers the call of the Bat-Signal once more.
