LEGO DC Super-Villains Lets You Become The Ultimate Bad Guy

The LEGO games have let players become blocky version of their favorite heroes for over a decade now, which is why it's so refreshing to see LEGO DC Super-Villains flip the script, giving players an opportunity to see why it feels so good to be so bad. But while the game boasts an impressive roster of characters, one of the most interesting inclusions is your very own, customizable baddie.

Customizable characters in a LEGO game make so much sense we're kind of baffled it hasn't been a key feature until now. Sure, playing as Batman, Indiana Jones and Harry Potter has been fun and all, but we're excited to see that a brand all about creativity is finally giving players a chance to flex their imagination muscles.

During my hands-on time with DC Super-Villains at E3 2018, I had the opportunity to create my very own character before diving into the game. There were a ton of options to pick from, including familiar outfits and accessories from DC icons as well as a whole bunch of unique gear. My time was limited, so I went the quick route and simply slapped on some cool hair, a pair of shades and an alligator tail and called it a day.

In the final game, it looks like you'll also be able to play as dozens of DC villains. And when I say dozens, I mean the roster screen was positively filled with character icons just waiting to be unlocked.

But again, your personal character is the (anti-)hero of DC Super-Villains, with a campaign that sees you growing in strength as you continue to play. As the story opens, Lex Luther has orchestrated a prison break with the help of Marcy Graves. Since my fledgling baddie just so happened to be in the room, Lex invited me along for the ride.

If you've ever played a LEGO game, you already know what to expect here: Beautiful graphics, destructible levels, puzzles aplenty and charm to spare. You can switch between your team of baddies on the fly, utilizing their unique abilities to progress further into the game. You can take a look at the announcement trailer below:

I quickly realized that my own character was lacking in the super power department. I could punch and kick with the best of them, but I didn't seem to be in possession of any super powers. By the time Cheetah and Solomon Grundy showed up to lend a hand, I was starting to feel a bit like a fifth wheel.

Next thing you know, I've activated a machine that "unlocks" my potential for super powers. First up is a high-powered beam of energy that destroys enemies and, more importantly, pesky turrets. It turns out this is the basic loop of the game, with the player unlocking and customizing powers as they go (I could pick the color of my energy beam, for instance), mixing and matching their favorites in order to become the ultimate villain.

Getting to play as an army of DC baddies already sounds like a lot of fun, but the ability to create your own super-powered fiend is a great evolution of the LEGO series. LEGO DC Super-Villains launches on the Switch, PC, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One on October 16.