BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM (PS3)
God and Satan. Luke and Vader. Liverpool and United. Tango and Cash! All revered rivalries that have become part of popular mainstream consciousness. They all have another thing in common though. When it comes to rivalries, all bow down and worship at the feet of Batman’s eternal struggle with maniacal loon The Joker. Since 1939, their battle on the streets of Gotham has become the archetypal conflict of good overcoming ever more diabolical evil. And like all good franchises their rivalry has continuously adapted to accommodate and relate to more modern audiences. From the high camp TV show of the sixties, to the darker take of Year One and The Killing Joke of the eighties, to Christopher Nolan’s recent slant on The Dark Knight, one thing remains consistent; the unresolved love/hate, ying and yang relationship of these two titans of popular fiction. This remains the focus of Batman: Arkham Asylum, Bats’ most recent foray into the gaming market.
Batman has once again captured Joker and returned him to his regular berth at Arkham Asylum, home to the many loons and psychos of Gotham City. But this time something doesn’t feel quite right. Capturing Joker, by Batman’s standards, was all too easy and the clown-faced goon seems comfortably at ease with his imminent re-incarceration. Add to that a number of Joker’s regular crew being shifted to the Asylum due to a fire at Blackgate Prison makes things ominous further. Joker’s up to something. Soon enough the asylum has gone to total shit. The Blackgate prisoners have escaped, raining havoc on the overwhelmed and beleaguered prison guards; super criminals Killer Croc, Victor Zsasz, Harley Quinn and Scarecrow are running amok causing their own brand of deplorable chaos; and Joker has set himself up as the new warden of Arkham Asylum and wants a party. Batman is the invited special guest. Joker’s got a lot of surprises waiting for him…
The first thing you notice about Arkham Asylum is Rockstedy Studios has captured a particular mood perfectly. The atmosphere doesn’t relate to any one previous Batman incarnation but elements from the graphic novels, the cartoon series, Tim Burton’s edgy, gothic interpretation and Christian Bale’s broody, isolated loner are all perfectly reflected in Arkham’s plot and characterisation. It gives the game its own identity; refreshingly different from the mainstay of Batman’s multi-verse, including a unique storyline for the game, yet featuring enough common elements of the Batman mythology to make the fanboys let out just a tiny bit of wee. This sense of self gives Arkham Asylum a wonderful visual, cinematic style that certainly makes the most of the PS3s hardware. Lush scenery, marvellous character details (such as Batman’s outfit slowly degrading as the night progresses), and the immaculate voice work from the likes of Kevin Conroy and Luke Skywalke… sorry, Mark Hamill (whose insane take on the Joker will never be bettered), are worthy production values to shape the games main dynamics around.
So, style wise Arkham Asylum is particularly dreamy, yet you need not worry on the gameplay front; there’s plenty of meat on that bone to satisfy even the most packed-out workhouse of starving orphans. An arcade adventure in the Tomb Raider/Uncharted mould with a third person perspective resembling Dead Space (behind and a little to the left), the game strikes a precarious balance between beat 'em up, platform-jumping, puzzles and stealth as Batman roams the site of the asylum kicking seven shades out of prisoners and putting whatever Joker’s got planned on hold. Sure, it sounds like Arkham Asylum may be attempting too much at once with the inclusion of such varied gaming devices, but they really do segue seamlessly. The key to this is three-fold; a quality control system that even a gibbon would find intuitive, the amount of gadgetry Bat’s has at his disposal to takedown, evade and flummox enemies and the use of an ingenious “detective mode”.
The control system is simply a case of less is more, particularly where Batman engages with more than one enemy in combat. Rather than go for the now typical button-bashing option of many modern beat em’ ups, Rocksteady have instead paired back the fight system to just eleven combat options and have instigated an inspired free-flow combo system that makes combat an absolute joy to behold. Timing is key, yet perfecting when to counter, dodge or evade in amongst throwing bone-cracking blows and takedowns makes for fast and frantic battles that require skill and craft, rather than button smashing luck. Better still the combat is smoothly translated on screen and looks exactly how you would expect Batman to beat the shit out of the minions of the Asylum. Read as ‘totally awesome’.
Arkham Asylum is not all combat orientated though. Some of the toughest parts of the game centre on the large challenge maps filled with gun-totting goons whereby Batman cannot get close enough to engage in a little slap and tickle. Here, the requirement is on stealth and silent takedowns using the array of gadgets Bat’s has at hand, cunning environments and the use of a superb “detective mode”. Such a mode allows Batman’s vision to render the background by the heat signals of enemies beyond walls and ceilings; in other words, a perfect mechanic for formulating a plan of attack Predator style. Smashing through walls or attacking from the sewer grates below, coupled with Batman using a grapple gun to swing around the scenario high above the heads of enemies, allows for some interesting takedowns. Favourite of which must be hanging from a stone gargoyle, waiting for an enemy to pass, before pouncing on them and leaving them strung upside down calling for help. These sections are not easy, but once the array and potential of Batman’s arsenal is fully understood, they become an enormously satisfying challenge.
Normally this would be enough to pleasure any gamer, yet there’s still more available to do in Arkham Asylum. Exploration is encouraged throughout by The Riddler who has left a series of riddles and clues for Batman to locate and answer; a challenge of brains over brawn. The sections with Scarecrow, probably the stand-out moments of the game, add an additional dimension to the gameplay as Batman’s origin story and psyche are explored in a few sporadic but wonderfully nightmarish sequences. Venturing into Killer Croc’s lair is also a highly tense endeavour and again adds a further layer of game mechanics to that already available. And throughout there are some simply delightful little touches. Joker’s constant tannoy announcements and presence on the asylum’s monitors to taunt Batman is an absolute delight (made more so because of Hamill). And the little nods to other super-criminals at the Asylum, such as locating Mr Freeze’s and Two-Face's cells is just enough for fanboys to carrying on creaming their jeans.
The control system is simply a case of less is more, particularly where Batman engages with more than one enemy in combat. Rather than go for the now typical button-bashing option of many modern beat em’ ups, Rocksteady have instead paired back the fight system to just eleven combat options and have instigated an inspired free-flow combo system that makes combat an absolute joy to behold. Timing is key, yet perfecting when to counter, dodge or evade in amongst throwing bone-cracking blows and takedowns makes for fast and frantic battles that require skill and craft, rather than button smashing luck. Better still the combat is smoothly translated on screen and looks exactly how you would expect Batman to beat the shit out of the minions of the Asylum. Read as ‘totally awesome’.
Arkham Asylum is not all combat orientated though. Some of the toughest parts of the game centre on the large challenge maps filled with gun-totting goons whereby Batman cannot get close enough to engage in a little slap and tickle. Here, the requirement is on stealth and silent takedowns using the array of gadgets Bat’s has at hand, cunning environments and the use of a superb “detective mode”. Such a mode allows Batman’s vision to render the background by the heat signals of enemies beyond walls and ceilings; in other words, a perfect mechanic for formulating a plan of attack Predator style. Smashing through walls or attacking from the sewer grates below, coupled with Batman using a grapple gun to swing around the scenario high above the heads of enemies, allows for some interesting takedowns. Favourite of which must be hanging from a stone gargoyle, waiting for an enemy to pass, before pouncing on them and leaving them strung upside down calling for help. These sections are not easy, but once the array and potential of Batman’s arsenal is fully understood, they become an enormously satisfying challenge.
Normally this would be enough to pleasure any gamer, yet there’s still more available to do in Arkham Asylum. Exploration is encouraged throughout by The Riddler who has left a series of riddles and clues for Batman to locate and answer; a challenge of brains over brawn. The sections with Scarecrow, probably the stand-out moments of the game, add an additional dimension to the gameplay as Batman’s origin story and psyche are explored in a few sporadic but wonderfully nightmarish sequences. Venturing into Killer Croc’s lair is also a highly tense endeavour and again adds a further layer of game mechanics to that already available. And throughout there are some simply delightful little touches. Joker’s constant tannoy announcements and presence on the asylum’s monitors to taunt Batman is an absolute delight (made more so because of Hamill). And the little nods to other super-criminals at the Asylum, such as locating Mr Freeze’s and Two-Face's cells is just enough for fanboys to carrying on creaming their jeans.
If there is any criticism
of Arkham Asylum it’s that the boss battles are a little bit on the wanky side.
Apart from Scarecrow’s excellently designed ‘world’ there’s too little
differentiation among bosses and once you’ve defeated one ‘Titan’, the familiar
Titan style boss that subsequently follows are all too easy to defeat. Indeed,
whilst the final battle between Batman and Joker has a sense of fun and grandiose
scale, as you’d expect from the Joker’s madcap antics, it fails to deliver and plays
out like a damp squib. Additionally, over-use of the detective mode does make
the game a little too easy at certain junctures (as well as ensuring the player
misses out on the great visuals on show). Perhaps it would have been better to
limit the use of this device, maintaining the degree of difficulty that exists
in other parts of Arkham Asylum’s design.
Still, these are minor quibbles. The plot of Arkham Asylum is enough to see the player through to the end and it’s a story that good, give it six months, you’ll probably want to play through again. In the meantime the free-flow combat and stealth challenge maps available, where you can undertake scenarios from the story mode and post high scores (lordy, a high score table; how fantabulously retro) and fastest times, are highly rewarding ensuring increased longevity. The ‘Extreme’ maps are actually as tough as vindalooed mutton; you’ll be tearing your hair out for many moons to come but returning for more just because of the trophies available. These bad boys aren’t easy to achieve.
Rocksteady have done a marvellous job in producing a game for Batman fans without neglecting gamers, ensuring that for once this is the one time DC have managed to usurp Marvel. It might not make up for Krypto the flipping Wonder Dog, but the visual style of Arkham Asylum, combined with the depth and variation of gameplay means that there is more than enough substance here to match the quality of plot and the marvellous characters. That Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are involved speaks words; this is easily one of the best titles available on the PS3. Get. It. Now!
Still, these are minor quibbles. The plot of Arkham Asylum is enough to see the player through to the end and it’s a story that good, give it six months, you’ll probably want to play through again. In the meantime the free-flow combat and stealth challenge maps available, where you can undertake scenarios from the story mode and post high scores (lordy, a high score table; how fantabulously retro) and fastest times, are highly rewarding ensuring increased longevity. The ‘Extreme’ maps are actually as tough as vindalooed mutton; you’ll be tearing your hair out for many moons to come but returning for more just because of the trophies available. These bad boys aren’t easy to achieve.
Rocksteady have done a marvellous job in producing a game for Batman fans without neglecting gamers, ensuring that for once this is the one time DC have managed to usurp Marvel. It might not make up for Krypto the flipping Wonder Dog, but the visual style of Arkham Asylum, combined with the depth and variation of gameplay means that there is more than enough substance here to match the quality of plot and the marvellous characters. That Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are involved speaks words; this is easily one of the best titles available on the PS3. Get. It. Now!
VERDICT
Visual: 9/10
Audio: 10/10 Gameplay: 10/10 Longevity: 9/10 OVERALL: 10/10 |
PIXEL SECONDS: BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM (X360)
There is so much to praise in Arkham Asylum. Its dark story perfectly replicates the original comics and fits into every aspect of the game. The game is varied with stealth, combat and detective sections. The addictive Riddler’s Challenges will keep players searching through Arkham long after they’ve completed the main story arc. The intense challenge mode will truly put your Batskills to the test. But perhaps AA’s greatest feat, and what makes it stand tall above other, less distinguished instalments in its lineage, is that it really makes the player feel like they are Batman, and any comic book fan will surely feel a tingling sensation when they come to this realisation. But that is the other beautiful thing about this game – tight pacing means that even non-fans will get a kick out of this explosively fun action adventure game. It’s a cold-hard case study for why licensed games can be good, if they’re done right. And Rocksteady have lived up to all the potential this game had and more. [9] – Shane Battams © 2013
There is so much to praise in Arkham Asylum. Its dark story perfectly replicates the original comics and fits into every aspect of the game. The game is varied with stealth, combat and detective sections. The addictive Riddler’s Challenges will keep players searching through Arkham long after they’ve completed the main story arc. The intense challenge mode will truly put your Batskills to the test. But perhaps AA’s greatest feat, and what makes it stand tall above other, less distinguished instalments in its lineage, is that it really makes the player feel like they are Batman, and any comic book fan will surely feel a tingling sensation when they come to this realisation. But that is the other beautiful thing about this game – tight pacing means that even non-fans will get a kick out of this explosively fun action adventure game. It’s a cold-hard case study for why licensed games can be good, if they’re done right. And Rocksteady have lived up to all the potential this game had and more. [9] – Shane Battams © 2013