by BR88KLYN
Batman is a hero that is complex; it is this complexity that has eluded game makers, never fully being conveyed. Batman is a character that, at its core, is rooted closer to reality than any other. Take away the gadgets and you have a hero with no super power who is driven by loss and is as psychologically damaged as the criminals he pursues. When you add that to the recipe of combat, forensic investigation, and a location that is as rich in back story as Batman himself, you have the potential for one of the best Batman games to ever grace a console. Is Batman: Arkham Asylum that game?
Graphics. This is a game that screams to be seen. The opening cinematic sets the bar extremely high and is a standard of beauty that is maintained from start to finish. The Unreal engine is used with great effectiveness in a dazzling display by the team at Rocksteady. Character models are detailed and the rogue’s gallery of villains that I encountered presents a fresh and new interpretation. Within the first five minutes of gameplay my eyes were devouring the visual feast that is Rocksteady’s version of Killer Croc, that has become for me the only version of the character that I want to see from that moment on. This game does exactly what the movie Batman Begins accomplished by pushing Batman forward through a great story but also with a visual banquet that satisfies. Arkham Asylum is as much of a character as any villain. The detail and artistic style of every building makes this game and its environment feel three to four times bigger. Every building interior is as individual and compelling as every voiced character. The environments of Arkham may not be voiced by an actual person but they speak volumes.
Control. The controls for this game are smile-inducing good. Yes, that good. Every Bat gadget, move and counter move feels right. I found myself running to new locations hoping for combat or the acquisition of a new toy so I could be an even bigger, badass Batman that the controls allow me to be. The controls are natural and perfectly mapped. Striking and countering in combat is easy and the entire Bat arsenal is handled with uncomplicated control. There are no complaints here.
Sound. The sound is as satisfying as the visuals. The combat, dialogue, and score made me feel emotionally invested in the storyline and connected to all the characters, even the NPC’s. A character who I disliked in the beginning, I found myself feeling sympathy for because of dialogue and a score that conveyed the emotional desperateness of this NPC. Amazing. The music says Batman from the opening to closing cinematic. Take notes here, inFAMOUS.
Gameplay. One part CSI, Gladiator, and Predator, all disparate parts that excel as a whole. The combat is an engaging mix of striking and counter striking that incorporates Batman’s arsenal of “weapons” throughout the game. The combo centric combat is easy to pick up but hard to master. There are visual cues that helped me to become the Dark Knight. A flash similar to spidey sense will appear over an impending attackers ( unless playing on the Hard difficulty) head allowing me to counter with an extensive list of moves that make this one of the best fighting experiences of any game. For a majority of gamers the combat will be the reason they keep coming back and thankfully Rocksteady realized this fact and gives gamers what they want with challenge rooms that can be unlocked and by solving the 240 Riddler challenges that can be found throughout Arkham. Once unlocked, the challenge rooms are accessible anytime. If you are playing the Playstation 3 version, you can even play through the challenge rooms as the madman himself, the Joker.
Challenge rooms tested my abilities with two variations, combat and predator. The combat challenges can be played as a straight forward beat em up but by doing so you will be depriving yourself of one of the most enjoyable aspects of this game. I found out early on that my goal and yours, should be to attain the biggest combo string while doing as many moves as possible that will lead to a greater bonus every round that in turn will lead to a higher score, medals, and bragging rights on the leader boards. (sorry Knowledge22, intensive care high score is mine!)
Predator challenge rooms were the rooms that tested me the most. I became the invisible predator and began dispatching the inmates of Arkham, and yes, the signature Batman inverted takedown is here. The synergy between single player and the challenge rooms is achieved through the move upgrades that are unlocked in single player. So if you want to become better at the challenge rooms, Batman Arkham Asylum makes the single player game an integral part of that progression.
Where does he get those wonderful toys? The Bat gadgets are all present but more importantly they fit into the story progression and do not feel shoe horned into the experience. The arsenal of gadgets are introduced in an organic way that fits perfectly into the storyline. With every piece of equipment I obtained I also came a step closer to solving every Riddler challenge. Riddler challenges are the way that every player and fan of Batman will gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Batman and the universe he inhabits. If you are a diehard fan you will love the amount of information that explores and expands upon the Batman mythos. For all new and casual fans this will serve as an encyclopedia of knowledge that not only unlocks challenge rooms but also gives you a greater insight into the characters within the Batman mythology.
Overall. Rocksteady has done what every company before them has tried but failed to do, deliver a gameplay experience that captures what it is to be Batman. Batman Arkham Asylum is the game that all superhero games will inevitably be judged against, and that is a great thing. Rocksteady has demonstrated a level of respect and understanding of an iconic character that delivers what I believe to be the first game of the year contender.
