Two thousand DC characters can be drawn to life in Scribblenauts Unlimited

When 5th Cell created the first Scribblenauts five years ago, it sparked everyone's imagination with the promise that anything could be used to solve puzzles - providing you could spell it.

This excitement was quickly tempered however, as it became clear that copyrights and trademarks would restrict possible creations.

Now Scribblenauts's publisher Warner Bros has swept on to the scene, with a heroic solution to the problem, opening up the DC comic licence for the latest instalment, Scribblenauts Unmasked.

This isn't the first time Scribblenauts has had access to copyrighted material. In the 3DS version of Scribblenauts Unlimited, you see, you could summon Nintendo's cast of characters to help the game's hero, Maxwell, solve puzzles.

Scribblenauts Unmasked takes this a step further, however. Creating a story that places the world of DC at its core, rather than just playing lip service to its characters, Maxwell will have to help the iconic heroes as they fight a handful of villains.

Levels will be set in iconic DC locations, including the Batcave, Oa, and Metropolis. Entering a level will randomly generate challenges called 'Heroic Feats' that, in theory at least, will provide endless puzzling fun.

Over 2,000 members of the DC world will be on call, including 33 different Batmans (or is that Batmen?). No longer will the question be if Superman can beat Batman but, instead, if Year One Batman can defeat KnightsEnd Batman.

If this doesn't offer enough variety, a character editor is also available. Mixing and matching character parts will enable you to create completely new heroes and villains. Personally, I am looking forward to putting Bane in an eagle-shaped bra and calling him Wonder Bane.

Scribblenauts Unmasked comes a lot closer to delivering on the franchise's original promise than any previous instalment. It will be a must buy for DC fans when it comes to 3DS this autumn. Wii U and PC fans get it too.