LEGO® Batman™ 2: DC Super Heroes

Our Review Of Lego Batman 2 For The XBox 360

Batman and Robin return in LEGO® Batman™ 2: DC Super Heroes, the highly-anticipated sequel to the best-selling LEGO® videogame of all time, which to date has sold more than 11 million units worldwide.  This time the Dynamic Duo join forces with other famous DC super heroes including Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern to stop the notorious villains Lex Luthor and The Joker from destroying Gotham City.   Batman fans of all ages will enjoy a new and original story filled with classic LEGO videogame action and humour as players fight to put the bad guys back behind bars.

We were sent a copy of Lego Batman 2 for the XBox 360 to try out.  I was particularly excited about this as I had had a sneak peek of the game at the Warner Bros Blogger Event earlier in the year where it was demonstrated on a cinema sized screen.

The most exciting development in this title is that for the first time the characters can speak, allowing for plot progression using dialogue.  Favourite characters are beautifully portrayed in Lego form and you can get to play as some other iconic comic heroes such as Superman, who can even fly!

A whole host of vehicles such as the Batmobile and Batwing can be used in the game, and new suits and gadgets allow the characters to solve certain tasks along the way.  There are super powers to be discovered such as Superman's heat vision and superbreath, making this the most exciting Lego game to date!

Gameplay is solo or co-op which allows for some real family fun as players adopt the roles of the Dynamic Duo et al!  An amazing Gotham City hub can be fully explored which is absolutely breathtaking.  It includes all the famous landmarks such as Wayne Manor. You can the city and interact with the landscape collecting items and discovering mini-games.  Once you complete the game, free-play is unlocked and you can even get to fly over the city as Superman, which I witnessed at the Warner Bros. event.  The addition of the John Williams' Superman theme tune is nothing short of pure genius.

Ian and the kids have been playing Lego Batman 2 and are enjoying the challenge of solving puzzles and completing levels.  The co-op experience is always an enjoyable aspect of the Lego games which my family loves.  The game leads you through the levels quite nicely giving hints along the way making it great for novice gamers and younger players alike.  The use of the suits is an interesting way of solving certain problems.  Robin's Acrobat Suit helps him climb to inaccessible areas and the Invisibility Suit helps Batman to sneak past the security systems.

This game is pure entertainment.  Beautifully made with superb graphics, this game is a joy.  The soundtrack is very movie-like and the voice talents add an extra element of fun.  My family adored the Lego characters, The Joker being our favourite!  The familiar Lego gameplay of building things and bashing things and collecting things remains the same and is fondly carried out.  The humour is simply brilliant and includes a great deal of slapstick that the little ones giggled at.

There is so much to do in Lego Batman 2.  For instance there are 250 gold bricks to find (we have about 3!!)  Characters and items can be unlocked and levels replayed extending the longevity of this title. It really is fun for everyone, and equally fun to sit and watch being played which is a real bonus for those of us who don't get a go on the XBox very often! 

Lego Batman 2 is currently available to buy from GAME for £34.99.

Get Fit and Have Fun with Just Dance 3

With so many of us making New Year's Resolutions involving health and fitness, it is good to find something that will help with our quest to get fit and is also a lot of fun at the same time.  I know from my own personal experience, I am  far more likely to stick to an exercise that I enjoy.  Getting up and dancing to great music is much more appealing to me than jogging in the cold, wet January mornings! Plus, if the whole family can get involved I'm even more motivated.  Ubisoft have the perfect solution...a game for fitness fanatics, fun loving families and music lovers alike, Just Dance 3.

Just Dance 3 is the perfect excuse to get your groove on with the family and friends and dance yourself fit to 49 great songs.  With tunes from the 70's to the present day, there is a dance for everyone.  Up to four players can dance together and some of the dances are duets or group dances, which adds a real element of fun!  There are Dance Mash Ups and unlockable rewards to achieve.  The Just Sweat mode gives you a dedicated workout plan.  The Just Party mode provides a non-stop dance-a-thon with no need for navigation to halt the dancing!!  You can also download extra songs from the online shop using Microsoft points.

We were sent Just Dance 3 for the XBox Kinect which is my favourite console of the moment.  Having no controllers to contend with makes it perfect for Freddy, aged 2, to join in and dance with his sisters.  There is no worry of him throwing a controller through the TV screen!  The dance genre of games is really a perect fit for the Kinect and Just Dance 3 does not disappoint at all.

The game itself is very easy to navigate.  You can scroll through the songs and see a snippet of each one before choosing one to dance to.  Stickmen on the bottom of the screen instruct you to the dance moves and you then just need to mirror the dancer.  You are rated on your moves giving you a score.  My girls get very competitive, perfecting their moves to get high scores!

This is a world away from the dance mats that were all the rage a few years ago.  The technology is amazing, recognizing your body moves.  The lyrics also come up on screen and some key phrases can be sang aloud for extra points as the Kinect also has voice recognition.  So even if you are too shy to dance, you can join in by singing along.

There is an extra mode on the Kinect version of Just Dance 3, Just Create, where players can come up with their own choreography, save their routines and share them with friends or online.  Perfect for any budding choreographers out there!

This game ticked all the boxes for me.  It gets us all up and active regardless of ability.  The songs are fun, with great dance routines that are easy to follow but challenging.  It is just as fun to watch others playing as it is to join in.  It brings a party atmosphere to any occasion.  The animations and costumes onscreen are really entertaining for younger players.  The dynamic environments change as you progress, delivering some surprises along the way.  It is an easy, uncomplicated game that delivers fun and exercise.  There are no penalties for getting it wrong or having a rest mid moves (other than not scoring points for that section), so you can pick straight up and get going again without feeling demoralised.  (This is a real positive for me after being made to feel like a loser on Wii Fit if I didn't achieve high scores...I don't need a game to demoralise me, I'm doing my best OK!!)  This game is perfect for me and mine!!  We have our favourite tracks already and are getting our moves down!

We have previously reviewed Just Dance Kids and I have to say Freddy and Kizzy prefer the adult version.  Don't underestimate the ability of children on Just Dance 3.  Freddy at 2 absolutely loves it and asks for his 'dancing game' and his favourite song 'Jump' regularly.  It has totally replaced the gentler, kid friendly version as game of choice.  It is keeping them fit, teaches them some moves and introduces them to three decades of great tunes!

Here is a video of them dancing along.  (Check out  Fred's purple tu-tu/stripey bodysuit combo!! Perfect dancewear for a toddler!)

You can buy Just Dance 3 from Amazon for £22.99.

The Black Eye Peas Experience

From the moment you turn on the Black Eyed Peas Experience from Ubisoft you are immersed in the world of Fergie, Will I.Am and the other Peas in an all singing, all dancing game.  The game includes 28 chart topping tracks including I Gotta Feeling, Shut Up and The Time.  The energetic routines are scored for accuracy of the choreography which is selected from routines by choreographer Fatima Robinson.  Lyrics are displayed on screen so you can totally live the musical experience.

We were sent the game to get the party started Inside the Wendy House with my group of music loving gamers!  The gameplay reminds me of the old dance mat style of game.  You are scored for your moves and judged for how well you executed them.  Obviously though, your moves are now picked up by the Kinect sensor and not from jumping around on a little mat!

The Deluxe Experience allows you to customize an avatar to use, learn moves, choreograph dances and unlock new items.  You can explore venues from tours and videos and gain followers as you sing and dance your way through the Peas back catalogue.

The avatar customization was similar to the Sims games and the kids enjoyed jazzing up the look of their character, changing hair and eye colour, clothing and body type.  You can have fun trying to recreate yourself.  The avatars of the band are really spot on and well animated.  Will I.Am is uncanningly good in pixelated form!

The music and routines are great for fans of the Black Eyed Peas.  The dance moves are very authentic, and very fast and furious. Multi-player jump in allows friends to join you at any time, ideal when playing with a houseful of kids all eager to take part.  Coaches can teach you the moves step by step or you can throw yourself straight into the full routine.  Songs are rated with a difficulty level starting at casual and going up to skilled.  You can chose which song you want to perform, learn the moves, then perform with the Peas.

One feature is the Choreo-Maker mode where you can choreograph your own dance routine to challenge your friends.  You can also share them on XBox Live.

There is quite a lot of navigation required between the screens which took a little getting used to, but as you can just choose to dance, bypassing all the fiddly bits, it allows you to play a more casual game.  That was the mode we used mostly as it is easier to dip in and out of the game and just enjoy the dancing.  You can work up quite a sweat with the Peas!

The soundtrack is amazing, it's surprising just how many Black Eyed Pea songs you know!  The imagery is stunning with the Peas beautifully reproduced in avatar form dancing in the club and concert venues.  The dance moves are really funky and give you a real workout.  It is an impressive game with quite a ground breaking format.

However, I think I'll leave this game to my energetic, dance mad daughters.  It was just a bit too intense for me and my lack of rhythm!  It is however an absolute must for any dance game fans who love the Black Eyed Peas.  Having a game based solely on one artist/band is a good idea as it focuses on a favourite performer, their style and their music.  You know exactly what you'll be getting and be familiar with the track list.  It is  a great way to celebrate your favourite performers.  I look forward to more titles in this genre...how about The Take That Experience!!  Something a little more sedate for us older groovers and shakers!

The Black Eyed Peas Experience is available for XBox and Wii.

Tintin and Snowy Are Back

The resurgence of Tintin harks back to a time gone by when boys were heroes in search of adventure .  Herge's original comic book hero is brought to life in this sleek adventure game thanks to Ubisoft's "The Adventures of Tintin-The Secret of The Unicorn.  We were sent a copy to try out.

With graphics that are as impressive as the film and silky smooth motion, you are literally immersed in the universe of Tintin.  I'm not the best gamer in the world, but I really enjoyed playing as the intrepid reporter TinTin who is on the search for a sunken treasure, going up against crooked art dealers and their henchmen.  With puzzles, platforming, fighting and piloting, there is a variety of gameplay to experience.  The game mixes 2D and 3D action keeping it fresh. You develop skills as the game progresses.  You collect treasures, unlock maps and solve mysteries, while on the trail of the treasure.  The storyline is fun and based on the film and driven forwards by the cutscenes.  The game includes the characters including Snowy and Captain Haddock.

The challenges are not too taxing and are quite straightforward, making it perfect for younger players and novices like myself.  I imagine that a pro-gamer would whizz through it without too much effort.  The game challenges are compatible with the Kinect, but this is a very minor part of the gameplay.  Do not buy it thinking it is all playable on the Kinect.

The game can be played solo or 2 player co-op.  The younger children really enjoyed this game which surprised me as they have not heard of Tintin before this game arrived.  The throwing of beachballs and banana skins to disable enemies was met with much hilarity everytime.  

Image coutesy of IGN Images

This game is an exciting adventure on land and at sea and on location.  Although there is some violence as you fight your enemies, it is not at all brutal.  The stars around the baddies' heads after you hit them gives a very cartoonised and comical approach to the fighting.  When you lose a life, Tintin sees stars rather than actually being rendered lifeless which keeps it family friendly.

For those of us old enough, Tintin is a nostalgic foray into Herge's comic books.  For youngsters it is a fun game which twists and turns through a variety of gameplay genres which keeps the game interesting and entertaining.

Available on Nintendo 3DS, Wii, PS3, PC and XBox.  This is definitely one for all the family and a surprise hit with my children! 

Rayman Origins for the XBox 360

Since we got our XBox 360, I have been so impressed with the great selection of games available.  The children are really enjoying testing out titles from Ubisoft and the latest game was met with huge excitement.  The release of Rayman Origins hails the resurrection of a nineties gaming great.  The return of this platforming legend was met with nostalgic whoops of joy from my 15 year old who was brought up on the delights of the strangely fun character and his 2D adventures.

The game designers have returned to their roots reproducing the 2D side scrolling platform adventure in glorious high definition, with amazing artistry and awesome animation for a new gaming generation.  The gameplay is smooth and the landscape is captivating and full of whimsy.  The soundtrack to the game is full of quirky sound effects that add to the fun.  You can't help but grin.

The action is varied and in parts quite challenging, but it is non-stop, quite crazy and seriously entertaining.  There are over 60 levels, many of which can be revisited to discover new paths and secrets.  You can play solo or enjoy a four player co-op experience (but as we only have one controller we could only play individually taking it in turns to control the characters through the rich environment.)  The jump in/out co-op games allow other players to join in without affecting the game's progress.  Very useful if a youngster gets stuck and needs a helping hand.

The game sees you helping Rayman and his friends as they try to restore peace to the Glade of Dreams and kick the Darktoons out.  Will the hilarious heroes save their homeland?

With epic bosses to defeat, the end of level challenges test your gaming skills to the max.  Hand eye, co-ordination and speed are tested.  It was great to see Ella and her dad enjoying this classic platform game together again!  It will keep them occupied for quite a while!

I really loved the attention to detail that has been lovingly included in Rayman Origins.  Collecting Lums, Electoons and other items makes non-stop fun. The 100+ characters are all quirky and madcap. The younger children loved watching the game in play.  It really is like a sumptuous cartoon.  I love games like this because 2 year old Freddy is happy to watch it rather than demanding the TV's return to CBeebies!

Rayman Origins is available for Wii, PS3 and XBox.  The XBox version is currently £34.69.  Whether you are filled with Rayman nostalgia, or if you are a newcomer to this classic platformer, Rayman Origins is a great buy and you will not be disappointed!

Lego, Harry Potter and X Box ...a Winning Combination!

Following on from years 1-4 comes the next instalment of the Lego Harry Potter gaming experience.  Based on the final 3 books, players get to enjoy Harry's heroic adventures in the wizardry and Muggle worlds!  Available on all platforms, the game builds up to the ultimate battle between Harry and Voldermort.  With new challenges, over 200 characters to unlock, more magic and levels that include exploring Grimmauld Place, the Ministry of Magic and Godric's Hollow, this is the ultimate game for Harry Potter fans!  We were sent the XBox 360 version to try out.

My kids love Harry Potter, Lego and the XBox...so we were onto a winner from the outset!  They hadn't played the first game but it didn't matter.  From the first introductory film clip, they were mesmerised.  The storyline is very true to the films which delighted them as they played.

The levels are big and impressive looking with lots to explore and discover.  Your character can interact with the environment which is really pleasing and fun! The graphics are colourful and smooth and it looks great with massive attention to detail.  With collectibles, things to unlock and puzzles to solve, this is a game that will last for ages.  You can play as different characters, switching between them with a press of a button.  This allows you to complete different tasks.

Harry uses his wand to cast spells to solve problems with satisfying results.  It is magic!!  More spells are unlocked as play progresses.  There is some potion making and broomstick flying too.  This game captures all the fun of being a wizard!

The game is recommended for ages 7+ as it contains scenes of 'violence' and 'fear'.  The storyline does have some very dark elements but the gameplay is not at all scary and is handled lightly and with humour.  The death eaters are really quite sweet!  It is made to be fun and to appeal to younger children and adults alike, and there are lots of laughs along the way.  There is of course an element of battling involved as 'he who can't be named' inevitably meets Harry in their showdown!  But it isn't a violent game...after all, they are Lego characters!

Kizzy aged 9 found the levels challenging, but in a good way that adds to the longevity of the game.  Things need to be done in a certain order so that the gameplay progresses, but there are a lot of clues to point you in the right direction.  The satisfaction of completing each step was met with whoops of joy and cries of "I did it!!"!   She also loved exploring the landscape and making the characters do silly things like whizzing down a slide, flying through the London Eye or swimming in a pond!  She was thoroughly entertained by this visual treat.

Lego Harry Potter Years 5-7 is available on all formats with prices starting from £17.99.  The XBox game currently costs £35.71 on Amazon.  It can be played by 1 or 2 players with a drop in/out co-op mode. We are extremely impressed with this game which appeals to Kizzy, her 15 year old sister and their 42 year old dad!  It's nice to have a game that the whole family can enjoy together and assist each other in working out puzzles.  This is definitely another great game in the Lego video game range!  A perfect present for playing over Christmas!