LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight – Only Seven Playable Characters and Fans Are Divided

Written By Ryan Sparks

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, revealed at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live in August 2025, has ignited both excitement and concern within the gaming community. While the game promises an ambitious open-world Gotham, Arkham-style combat, and a story drawing from Batman’s cinematic, comic, and gaming legacy, one detail is drawing heated reactions: the game will feature just seven playable characters. Wikipedia+10GamesRadar++10Reddit+10

The Essentials:

  • The official game FAQ confirms that during the main campaign, players will be able to play as seven characters: Batman, Jim Gordon, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Talia al Ghul. Each comes equipped with unique gadgets and abilities—Batman with his Batclaw, Gordon with a foam sprayer, Robin’s line launcher, Catwoman’s whip, and so on. Reddit+6GamesRadar++6Insider Gaming+6

What Fans Are Saying:

Reaction has been mixed. On Reddit’s r/legogaming, some users voiced skepticism that this limitation applies to the full roster:

“there's no way that's right. I think this is more like 7 playable characters during the story mode. Then you have access to everyone else during free play”
— u/I1uvatar Wikipedia+11Reddit+11Insider Gaming+11

Others worry that this signals a shift away from the franchise's hallmark—vast character rosters:

“The fun part about lego games itself was unlocking the characters. That's always why the game was fun to begin with.”
— u/Aggravating_Fee4200 Reddit+1

Still, hopeful fans point to phrasing like “including” in the FAQ, suggesting these seven are not necessarily the only ones:

“No it’s not. Including usually means ‘these are some of the things included,’ not ‘these are the only things in the game.’”
— u/Bobjoejj Reddit

What the Game Promises:

Despite concerns, other aspects of the game are generating buzz. It introduces:

  • An open-world Gotham, complete with Batmobiles and Batcycles to cruise through dark alleys and skyscraper-lined streets Reddit+7GamesRadar++7Indiatimes+7.

  • Arkham-inspired combat, delivering fluid combos, counters, and cinematic takedowns Insider Gaming+1.

  • A rich lineup of villains and supporting characters, including The Joker, Penguin, Poison Ivy, Ra’s al Ghul, Bane (voiced by Matt Berry), and more, plus collectibles like Riddler puzzle boxes and Batcave customization. Wikipedia+4GamesRadar++4Wikipedia+4

Final Thoughts:

The constrained roster of seven playable characters in the campaign marks a significant change for the LEGO game series, which hasn’t shied away from massive rosters before. While some fans remain optimistic that additional characters may emerge in free-play or through unlockables, others see this as a worrying shift that might undercut the series' charm. Only time—and future previews—will tell whether Legacy of the Dark Knight will keep that vast, character-rich experience well-loved by LEGO fans, or redirect it toward more focused, narrative-driven gameplay.

Ryan Sparks
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