LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 (11)

Much like the Danish plastic blocks that developer Traveller’s Tales draws inspiration from, LEGO games have seldom had a reason to change. They’ve been steadfast in their design, offering a deceptively simple setup that draws in audiences young and old with each successive release. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2, doesn’t deviate from that formula in any way.

In any other game, that would be a death sentence. Keeping a formula around that doesn’t offer anything new to returning gamers would result in a mountain of downvotes on reddit. LEGO is one of the few games however that can get away with that because while it may not be interested in evolving its formula, it still takes the time to pump in an obscene amount of fan service into a licensed product.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 (9)

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 benefits from that dedication to the source material, once again throwing dozens upon dozens of playable characters at fans, that range from mainstream to obscure. Kang the Conqueror has emerged from the timestream and stolen the New York borough of Manhattan for his grand schemes, sending Earth’s mightiest mortals on a quest to stop the chronal warlord from closing his iron on all of time and space.

Just another Tuesday then, in the Marvel Universe.

Once again, LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 plays to its strengths: Each stage is a sandbox of puzzles, requiring players to Hulk-smash their way around obstacles until a solution presents itself. Sometimes the answer is obvious! Sometimes the answer is a tad bit more excuse, as I nervously pull on my collar and wonder how children who happen to be a quarter of my actual age manage to solve these conundrums.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 (10)

Every problem has an answer, with half the fun being the journey to find the right key or character to use in those situations. The other half? Building an army of heroes and villains, returning to stages and exploring every nook and cranny for collectibles. Also, Marvel Comics co-architect Stan Lee, who usually finds himself trapped in a mess of his making. How did the mighty Marvel mastermind get himself trapped? Who knows, ‘nuff said. Excelsior.

What else is there to say however? It’s a LEGO game. If you’ve played one you’ve played them all and despite the return of Battle Arenas and customisation options, you won’t find anything here that you haven’t experienced before. Traveller’s Tales know their stuff when it comes to fan service, with the assorted Avengers borrowing elements not only from the Marvel Cinematic Universe but also comic book mini-series such as Avengers Forever and the continuity of the 2099 universe.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 (1)

There’s still a charm to all of the family-friendly antics that unfold, even if the non-union voice actors sound utterly odd in their roles in case you became accustomed to Marvel’s usual cast of shared universe vocal performers. One thing that has to be mentioned, is how LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 does push the envelope in what Traveller’s Tales is capable of visually.

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 (3)

Levels feel larger, the detail pops with primary colours and numerous Easter eggs litter the landscape. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 is easily the best looking game from the studio, and it’s packed with more content than you can shake a Cosmic Cube at. Just don’t expect anything different from this latest chapter in a franchise that shows no signs of slowing down.

Last Updated: November 14, 2017

LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
Bigger, bolder and brighter than ever, the LEGO formula remains unchanged in LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2. While evolution isn’t a building block for this latest entry, fan service, gorgeous visuals and an absurd amount of content certainly is.
7.5
LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 was reviewed on PlayStation 4
73 / 100

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