User Review : Batman: Arkham Asylum

Most games based on comic book heroes are semi-based on the new Summer hit movie

Most games based on comic book heroes are semi-based on the new Summer hit movie of the same comic book simply because the publishers think it will ride on the wave of hype around the movie. Granted this does rake up some sales, the games are usually quite pathetic. Not Batman: Arkham Asylum though. This games goes against everything gamers have come to expect from comic book games and comes out at the very top.

On a dark rainy night, Batman delivers Joker to the Arkham Asylum. Joker escapes leaving you to stop his plot of madness. To find out more about the story, you’ll have to play the game.

On your hunt for Joker, you’ll make use of Batman’s arsenal of gadgets and martial arts skills. You will face hordes of enemies in hand-to-hand combat using the new FreeFlow system to string attacks together with both style and jaw breaking effectiveness. The button layout for this system is very simple, making the learning curve quick and easy. It’s not always as easy as fighting your way through groups of enemies though. Batman is quite vulnerable to gunfire, so when you are faced with armed enemies you’ll have to employ some gadgets and stealth to get from point A to B. These gadgets are either purchased or unlocked throughout the game and all have upgrades to make them more effective. As “The World’s Greatest Detective” you will have to investigate certain areas to gather clues to determine where to go next. This is done by recognizing something in the environment that has left a trail, and then following it.

Arkham Asylum is notorious for housing Gotham City’s so-called Super villain’s, a number of which are currently locked up. Joker will no doubt set them free and inevitably you will encounter them all, serving as the boss battles in the game. These battles are nice and varied, each being completely different from the next. Bosses, as with the rest of the game really, are challenging but never really frustrating. Each boss has a certain way of being defeated, and as soon as you’ve figured out how, the fight is yours for the taking.

The entire game is set on Arkham island over the span of one night. The island consists of three main areas, each containing a number of buildings, from a medical wing to botanical gardens. There is also an underground sewer and cave system, including a secondary Batcave that has been constructed in secret over recent years. All environments are seamlessly put together with great detail, that in some cases will probably go completely unnoticed. Throughout all these areas, a series of challenges has been left by one of Batman’s foes that will have those who are interested in completing them, being able to see Arkham from every angle.

This game then is not what you expect, it’s the complete opposite actually. So forget everything that made you loathe previous comic book games and give this a go. Even if you’re not a fan of Batman or comic books in general, this appeals to everyone who enjoys a good 3rd person action game. It’s got a good story, a great combat system and loads of other challenges that will keep you busy for hours. Simply put, this game is a gem and a worthy competitor for the Game of the Year title.