Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight Only Has 7 Playable Characters Because They Are “More Differentiated With Much Deeper Gameplay” | IGN Fan Fest 2026

IGN

by Simon Cardy

February 25, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight has sparked curiosity among fans due to its notably smaller roster of playable characters—just seven at launch. This decision by TT Games aims to create a deeper, more differentiated gameplay experience, focusing on character development and unique abilities. The game features iconic figures like Batman, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Jim Gordon, Talia Al Ghul, and Catwoman, each with distinct personalities and skills that evolve throughout the game. For instance, Batman uses batarangs and grapples for combat and puzzle-solving, while Catwoman wields her whip and enlists her kittens to distract enemies or access small spaces. The developers explain that this streamlined approach allows players to fully explore each character’s potential through upgrades and new abilities. While the game draws inspiration from Rocksteady’s Arkham series with a combo-based combat system, it still retains elements fans love, like collecting suits and exploring an open world. IGN spoke to TT Games’ Jonathan Smith, who emphasized that the focus is on creating a tighter roster with more depth, ensuring characters work well together while offering plenty of customization options. Despite the reduced number of playable characters, Legacy of the Dark Knight aims to deliver a rich experience through over 100 collectible suits and a variety of movie-inspired levels. This balance between simplicity and depth is intended to appeal to both long-time fans and newcomers. By prioritizing character differentiation and gameplay mechanics, TT Games hopes to set a new standard for Lego titles while staying true to what makes the franchise beloved. For readers interested in gaming, this shift highlights TT Games’ evolving design philosophy—prioritizing quality over quantity to create more engaging experiences. While some may miss the larger rosters of previous Lego games, others might appreciate the opportunity to delve deeper into a smaller group of well-developed characters. As Lego Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight approaches its release, fans can look forward to seeing how these changes translate into gameplay and whether they truly enhance the overall experience.

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Originally published on IGN on 2/25/2026