Hero Game Review Batman Asylum
Batman Arkham Asylum Teaser Video
Super hero games range from frankly appalling to pretty damn fun, but those in the second category are rather in the minority. Good old Superman, for example, has been reeling from one poorly thought out title after the other for years , and so has the Batman games scene. Even the best of the Batman games over the years haven’t captured the sensation of being under the cowl, facing down maniacs with his fists and wits.
Batman Arkham Asylum has been on sale since August 2009, and is breaking the mildew and all reviews we have seen seem to be unanimous in their excitement about the game. Certainly, to us, it sort of feels like a brilliantly polished and wholly engrossing prospect. From what we have seen so far, few approved titles have caught so accurately and completely the ethos of its inspiration as Arkham Asylum. It’s something of a patchwork of influences, but respectfully moulds them into its own unique take on The Dark Knight. It’s little wonder that Warner brothers. Has labelled the game as this year’s massive Batman event. And with Rocksteady making such a thrilling, atmospheric experience, Arkham Asylum is fated to be one of the largest, and best, video games of 2009.
Combat is simple with single-button-press punches, stuns and redirects and is context-sensitive, depending on which way the thumbstick is leaning. Take-downs are performed by pressing RT + Y or B+Y when close to an enemy and are cinematically highlighted by a random slow-mo payoff cam.
Combat is also a liquid, straightforward process. Batman is patently stronger than the bulk of enemies he’ll see, and can chain together up to 10 attacks immediately.
Gameplay pictures of Batman : Arkham Asylum, explaining some of the mechanics behind the Joker, and his style in the game looks truly great. Move in the shadows, instigate fear amongst your enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham town’s most notorious villains who have taken over the asylum.
Gamers move in the shadows, start fear amongst their enemies and confront the Joker using a wide range of Batman’s gadgets and capabilities, players do really imagine that they became the Invisible Predator.
Stealth sections typically involve systematically picking off enemies one by one, and can generally be identified on entering a room where gargoyles flank the walls. Batman uses these gargoyles to support his weight, using his grapnel gun to zip up out of the way and safely survey the area.
Looking round the web it is been hard to find anyone criticizing Arkham Asylum. The worst around appears to be from the telegram newspaper ( UK ) which I qote like the following :
‘With this level of invention and awareness of detail it’s displeasing that Arkham Asylum’s biggest failing is with some of its main battles.”
“While the build-up and design is sometimes beautiful, the fights themselves often rely far too heavily on tedious, rinse-and-repeat video game tropes.”
“The final encounter particularly, comes about rather suddenly, and is so vapid as a gameplay experience it can leave a touch sour taste after the superb ride that came before it.’
Nevertheless even that commentator obviously considered his negative view on this to be only a small gripe, ending with :
‘But that ride is what matters most, and is definitely what’ll you remember after the end credits have rolled. With a chain of combat and stealth challenge rooms with online leader boards rounding off the package, Arkham Asylum is a brilliantly polished and wholly engrossing prospect. Few licensed titles have caught so authentically and utterly the ethos of its inspiration as Arkham Asylum.’
Our recommendation : Moving Batman around in Batman Arkham Asylum as reviewed is always a treat when you think of yourself as a villain slayer. The gameplay is free flowing allowing for dynamic fighting sequences and skill. Great absorbing fun to indulge yourself in!
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