Batman Asylum the Top 2009 Videogame Reviewed
Batman Arkham Asylum Teaser Video
Super hero games range between frankly appalling to pretty damn fun, but those in the second class are very much 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 cover, facing down maniacs with his fists and wits.
Batman Arkham Asylum has been on sale since Aug. 2009, and is breaking the mould and all reviews we have seen appear to be unanimous in their excitement about the game. Definitely, to us, it seems like a brilliantly polished and wholly engrossing prospect. From what we have seen so far, few licensed titles have caught so authentically and completely the ethos of its inspiration as Arkham Asylum. It’s a patchwork of influences, but respectfully moulds them into its own unique take on The Dark Knight. It’s little wonder that Warner bros. 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 most important, and best, Nintendo games of 2009.
Moving the left stick in the direction of the enemy causes Batman to direct his attacks, whilst the context delicate combat system picks from a variety of attacks to perform. The animation in and out of combat is visually striking and Batman’s cape is almost jaw-dropping in terms of the way in which the material flows and moves when he runs or fights.
Combat is also a fluid, straightforward process. Batman is patently more powerful than the bulk of enemies he’ll see, and can chain together up to 10 attacks immediately.
Gameplay will not just be about combat, either. Batman’s a detective, see, so there’ll be investigative work ( puzzles, etc ) to be done as well , including in depth use of what sounds a lot like Metroid Prime’s scanning system.
Gamers move in the shadows, instigate fear amongst their enemies and confront the Joker using a wide range of Batman’s gadgets and capabilities, players do really imagine that they have become the Invisible Predator.
Stealth and smarts are what will win the moment when Batman comes across a room full of armed bad guys. There’s also a detective mode, which is basically a special vision mode to help Batman spot things he might miss with consistent vision mode. Stealth, platforming and exploration. The battle system in Arkham Asylum makes me think of two different battle systems, the first battle system is in Fable 2 and the second is in Assasin Creed.
Looking around the web it is been hard to find anyone criticizing Arkham Asylum. The worst around appears to be from the telegraph newspaper ( UK ) which I qote like the following :
‘With this level of invention and concern for detail it’s displeasing that Arkham Asylum’s biggest failing is with some of its major battles.”
“While the increase and design is sometimes exquisite, the fights themselves regularly rely far too heavily on tedious, rinse-and-repeat Playstation game tropes.”
“The final encounter particularly, comes about rather suddenly, and is so empty as a gameplay experience it can leave a slightly sour taste after the superb ride that came before it.’
Although even that reviewer obviously considered his criticism to be minor point, ending with :
‘But that ride is what matters most, and is positively what’ll you remember after the end credits have rolled. With a sequence of combat and stealth challenge rooms with online leader boards rounding off the package, Arkham Asylum is a brilliantly polished and unconditionally engrossing prospect. Few approved titles have captured so accurately and absolutely 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 badass slayer. The combat is free flowing allowing for dynamic fighting sequences and skill. Great involving and immersive fun to lose yourself in!