VIDEO GAME REVIEW: BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Released: 2009

Developer: Rocksteady Games

Starring: Kevin Conroy (as Batman), Mark Hamill (as Joker)

 

(this review does not contain spoilers)

 

A few months ago, I saw the screenshots for this game and thought it was gonna be trash.

Boy...did I feel stupid.

 

Arkham Asylum might not only be the best comic book superhero game, it might be one of the best games this year. I might even be bold enough to say that it is better than The Dark Knight - but  I guess you can't compare them. If this game was a movie, it would be rated R.

 

Plot:

 

Batman is returning The Joker to Arkham.

He's hesitant about leaving Arkham because Joker surrendered without a fight.

After they arrive, Joker springs a trap and thugs are released.

Joker takes control of Arkham and precedes to taunt and torment Batman through the rest of the game.

That's not all...

Arkham is filled with crazed lunatics, criminals and enough super villians to finally kill the bat.

 

Gameplay:

 

I like to think of the gameplay as a mix of Dead Space, Metal Gear, God of War, Assassin's Creed and Bioshock.

Yeah...I know...that's a lot of games...how does it work?

It just does.

 

There are times when you sneak around picking off thugs one by one.

There are also times when 16 guys attack you head on and you have to use your martial arts to kick some thug ass.

It's very easy to get used to.

 

There are 8 gadgets you get as you progress through the game.

Each one can be upgraded when you level up.

Some nobable mentions are a number of different Batarangs, an explosive gel gun, and various rope guns.

 

The most entertaining element of the game is being a detective.

The Riddler has hidden trophies and puzzles everywhere and talks a lot of smack while you figure them out.

Using "Detective Vision" you can see through walls, discover hidden puzzles and even follow trails using forensic evidence to track down certain enemies.

It never gets old.

 

Due to Batman being "a dude in a bat-suit" it is easy to die.

If one or more henchmen have a gun, be careful.

It only takes a couple bursts to put you down for good.

The game has a good learning curve.

 

Arkham Island is pretty big.

You can pretty much go anywhere at anytime as long as you have the right gadgets.

But beware, once certain events take place, you might not be able to go back to some places.

 

Without giving away too much, I can tell you that this game has discovered new territory in gaming. They really do a good job putting you in Batman's shoes. I would compare these moments to Metal Gear and Bioshock.

 

Graphics & Sound:

 

They really did a great job of mapping out Arkham.

The graphics are truly remarkable.

As you progress through the game, Batman gets more battle-ravaged and bloody.

There's a bit of blood in this game and people die all the time.

This is not a kids game, so parents beware.

 

The score is wonderful.

There are moments when it sounds like the bank heist from The Dark Knight.

There are also some Danny Elfman moments.

 

Overall:

 

The weakest moment in the game is the final boss battle.

But it can be overlooked because of how many awesome boss battles there are through the rest of the game.

 

They do a really good job with the mythology of Batman and you will want more after you're done.

Give it a whirl or download the demo and check it out.

 

SHARP OBJEX Rating: 4 out of 4

Arkham Asylum Launch Trailer

Comments

[Matthew]

I think one of the things I was worried about going in was the simple combat system. And while the mechanics themselves may be simple, it's deceptively so; the amount of control and variety I have access to with just the X button is superb (using a 360 controller, at least - not sure what that maps to otherwise). From that one basic attack button, things can be modified with the triggers or other buttons in a way that makes the combat actually quite versatile in the end. Just goes to show that you can watch endless videos and screenshots, but you really don't get a sense for the mechanics until you actually try it yourself.

But seriously, I could just listen to this game's voice acting all day (minus Warden Sharp); it's just so awesome to hear Hamil and Conroy return to the roles I loved as a child. Maybe it's the nostalgia in me, but the voice acting, coupled with the slick control mechanics, are what keep drawing me back in.

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