What is it about Batman games? Will someone please do justice to Bruce Wayne and his alter ego before they become bywords for video game pants-ness? With Batman: Vengeance, the look of The New Batman Adventures cartoon TV series is accurately recreated, but the entertainment and excitement of that excellent show is sadly absent.

Sticking to the simple lines and very stylished look of the cartoon should not mean skimping on detail. Many of the interior locations feel empty, and most of the enemies you encounter are shockingly free of features.

There's one section where you have to pilot the Batplane in pursuit of a helicopter. Not only is the worst part of the game to play (find the one right place to fly sideways, and stay there), the plane itself is no more than a vaguely wing-shaped black blob. Yuk.

At least we're not in Robocop 3 territory here. In that film, the copper-wired copper was given the ability to fly; sometimes so anti-Robocop that it crapped all over everything that made the character great. With Batman: Vengeance, the developer has laid classic Bat-kit at our hero's disposal, giving you a flavour of being in the black leather pants and cowl.

It's almost upsetting to realise just what's being wasted with Batman: Vengeance. One of the great characters in any medium, Batman could do anything in a game - apart from nick one at the back post or cast a freezing spell - without it seeming out of place.

All he does here is reel himself in along the Batgrapple, punch dopey enemies, flap his cape a bit and get all of two minutes in his potentially awesome vehicles. That's all we did over twenty levels for six hours.

1. Bat-folklore heavy
2. Does a decent job of recreating the cartoon

1. Tired gameplay
2. Naff combat
3. Not a jot of innovation anywhere

Power
It's the PS2 game, only faster and with more shadows and better textures, apparently. Weedy.

Style
1920s art deco Gotham meets 21st century superhero tech in a sweet, just-like-the-cartoon fashion.

Immersion
On the letting-you-be-Batman meter, this scores a Val Kilmer - authentic, but not very appealing.

Lifespan
One semi-late night and you'll have it cracked. No replay value whatsoever, unfortunately.

Summary
Wholly lame adventure, Batman! Too easy, too samey and nothing new. Even a hefty pinch of Bat-lore can't save it.