LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2
Xbox One | PS4 | Nintendo Switch
DEVELOPER: TT Games
PUBLISHER: WB Games
RELEASE DATE: November 14, 2017

I’m not even half-way through, but I can tell you that LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 (developed by UK-based WB subsidiary TT Games) is already loaded with obscure and classic old-school Marvel characters, and that alone, makes it a purchase worth your time and money.

Yes, the gameplay is repetitive and virtually unchanged from any other LEGO TT games; the mechanics go back more than a decade, so it might be time to consider an engine overall for future releases. And yes, there are some frustrating glitches, but the real joy of playing Marvel Super Heroes 2 is found in the breadth of characters and environments. LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 does an admirable job of meshing the widely-known Marvel movie universe (including the just released Thor: Ragnarok) with the lesser-known comic book Marvel universe “” specifically, the old-school Marvel U. Fanboys of a certain age (that is, old farts like me) are in for some real surprises.

If you’ve ever yearned to see characters like the original old-school Guardians of the Galaxy in LEGO form, then you’re in for a treat (at least if you buy the deluxe edition, or the standard one with an expansion pack). If the old west Captain America from Jack Kirby’s Bicentennial Battles was a character you’d thought you’d never see again “” let alone in a game “” then prepare to be amazed, as he’s a playable character. There are many other obscure and D-listers throughout the game (and many more I’ve yet to discover), but I won’t spoil them.

In closing, it’s important to remember that this is a game ostensibly aimed towards kids, which is why some complaints about the repetitive mechanics seem less urgent. If you’re a parent playing with your kid, or just a big kid at heart, you will probably have a blast. And if you’re a Marvel Comics fan with a deep appreciation of its long history and wealth of characters, then you’re in for some real unexpected surprises.