Blocky characters, sketchy cut scenes, repetitive in-jokes and dialogue copied straight from whatever film they're based on - up until now, this low-budget formula has been key to the success of all Lego games. They're good, simple, stupid, fun.
But with versions available for everything from Batman to Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and Indiana Jones, it was starting to feel like overkill. Lego Marvel Super Heroes changes all that.
For starters, it's the best-looking Lego game yet, with a sleek graphics reboot that crams moving parts and interactive surfaces into every inch on screen. Gameplay has also been given a touch-up: it's more 3D, there's a lot more action and far more work for gamers to do.
And thanks to the Avengers tie-in, there are more playable characters - up to 150 - than any Lego game yet. So utilising each character's skills becomes essential for progress: Spider-Man can sling silky webs to climb up obstacles, Hawkeye shoots wobbly little arrows at targets, Iron Man can fly and blow up things that others can't, and the Hulk can pick up slabs of concrete and throw them at foes.
And things get even better when you invite a friend to play - Super Heroes might just be the best two-player game out there for the PS4. Just don't fight over who gets to be the Hulk, or there might be some Bruce Banner-style meltdowns in your living room.
Platforms: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Wii U, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, PC
Rated: PG
- TimeOut