Traveller's Tales

If you've played one of the previous two LEGO Batman games, or really any of developer Traveller's Tales LEGO games, there's a certain degree of knowing what you're getting into with LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. Though it certainly has a new coat of paint on it, so to speak, many of the mechanics and gameplay objectives are the same as they've always been. The developers make up for that by giving players more of everything: playable characters, levels, collectibles, power-ups, costumes side quests, Easter eggs and locations. Mix that more-is-more mentality with an enduring charm and sense of humor, and you've got a pretty compelling package, albeit one that tends to bring out some of my worst tendencies as a player.

It's no surprise that LEGO and developer TT Games are playing up the characters and settings from The Avengers in the official launch trailer for LEGO Marvel Super Heroes, which is available in stores today. Nick Fury, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Black Widow, the Hulk, Loki and the Helicarrier are all front-and-center. Oh, and Galactus.