Caped crusader gets Lego-brick treatment

is incredible and is sure to appeal to the inner child of anyone who had a toybox full of Lego bricks growing up.

After a couple of early scene-setting levels featuring familiar Batman and Robin shtick, the game kicks it up a notch with the introduction of the first of many guest stars when Superman swoops in to lend the dynamic duo a hand.

This sets up a running joke for what follows, as the proudly un-super powered Batman gets increasingly annoyed at the idea of being upstaged by the Man of Steel in his own game. The fact that his sidekick Robin is in star-struck awe every time Superman shows up to save the day just adds to the Dark Knight’s frustration, and there are some genuinely funny moments built around the trio’s awkward relationship.

The Gotham-Metropolis crossover continues as The Joker and Lex Luthor team up as the game’s main villains and dozens of other DC characters make cameo appearances.

Comic book fans will appreciate the inclusion of some relatively obscure superheroes, each with their own powers and unique abilities.

There’s the usual emphasis on exploration, and multiple play-throughs are essential to find the hundreds of gold bricks and secrets tucked away in Gotham City’s blocky recesses.

Unfortunately, one of the most frustrating parts of the game is how difficult it is to navigate the sprawling city – there is a map of sorts, but finding your way through the maze of flickering icons and confusing sidestreets can be an exasperating experience.

Although the game is primarily designed to appeal to younger gamers, there are plenty of nods and winks to the more mature crowd. That it works on both levels gives it the feel of a particularly good Simpsons episode or Pixar movie, and although it’s far from perfect, Lego Batman 2 is easily one of the best family games of the year.