I’ve played nearly all the LEGO games, across many different platforms. While I find them all mildly entertaining, none impressed me as much as LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes does. Despite having essentially the same gameplay elements, the DC universe helps this game stand out among the sea of LEGO titles.

One of the key differences between this and other LEGO games is the inclusion of voice acting. Seeing the game’s original story play out with a fully voiced cast is a pleasant surprise from a series known for unusually quiet characters. Watching and hearing heroes from across the DC Universe ally themselves is entertaining, and something the LEGO style of humor complements. Unfortunately, some characters seem to have drawn the short straw: Superman and Batman are the two true heroes of this game; other characters seldom appear and are not nearly as important.

Story aside, the game plays like all other LEGO games. In each level you complete a series of puzzles using different sets of abilities, most of which you gain access to through Batman and Robin’s many suits. All of this is done while bashing in the skulls of baddies. None of the puzzles were particularly challenging, which made most of the game a breeze. Almost all the story levels contain only two playable characters, so there is not much variety in what you can do, which leads to purely linear missions.

You do obtain more freedom in the free-play mode of each level. Having access to all your characters (purchased with the studs collected in each level) adds a greater variety to what you can do. I like to go back into free-play mode occasionally just to go after collectibles I may have missed because of unavailable characters at the time. If you are not interested in collecting hidden objects, though, the free-play mode won’t provide a great deal of fun.

The game looks gorgeous on the 3DS screen. The 3D effect was subtle enough to not strain my vision, while the depth made the game look better. I played through the story mode with it turned on and don’t regret the decision at all, though I did notice some of the cinematics look a little strange in 3D.

LEGO Batman 2: DC Super Heroes by no means takes the series in a new direction, but that doesn’t stop it from being fun (if lacking in originality). I enjoyed playing through the game, and I’m sure even the most moderate of LEGO fans will as well.