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[Spoiler Free] Batman: AA Review
Topic Started: Sep 6 2009, 09:25 PM (297 Views)
Waterfox Sep 6 2009, 09:25 PM Post #1
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Lunboks.

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Spoiler Free Review By Waterfox
Made Sept. 6, 2009
Specially made for CotS
Final Score: 94%

Batman: Arkham Asylum is an action and stealth game released for Xbox 360 and PS3 on Aug. 22, 2009, and will be released on PC Sept. 15, 2009. Now, personally, I did not really have this game on my wishlist. However, I bought it opening day, since everyone who wasn't a pure Wii owner was raving about this new Batman game. I've never really been too big on Batman, having only really watched a couple episodes of TAS and The Dark Knight movie. And I must say: This game is a gem.

The story (which I will keep spoiler free) starts off with Batman bringing the Joker, his main and long-time nemesis, back into his cell in Arkham Asylum, the institute for the insane criminals (and others, maybe) of Gotham City. Of course, Joker breaks free and while Batman is fighting off thugs and saving guards and doctors, Joker takes control of Arkham Asylum, and breaks out some thugs from another prison to help him out. What he is doing? Who knows, but it's up to Batman to stop him.

Gameplay is very smooth. Parts of the game are broken up into action, stealth, and detective mode. Using the "FreeFlow" combat system, you can take out unarmed thugs using Batman's amazing hand to hand combat skills. Even though you could just be spamming the attack button, Batman will jump around the room, pulling off amazing combos and kicking butt. When fighting armed enemies, you need to use a more stealthy tactic. He might be a hero, but he'll still go down quite easily if you put him in front of 3 armed thugs. You can stun baddies with Batmans trademark Battarang, you can sneak up from behind and pull off a silent takedown or in specially made rooms guarded with 4 or more thugs, you can hope along on gargoyles, wait for one to pass under, and pull off an inverted takedown. Finally, pressing the shoulder button will put you into detective mode, making things that you might not be able to see... seeable. You can notice enemies from a distance, find a vent to sneak into, or find a crumbling wall to blow up with your explosive gel.

The Graphics are nice, but I have noticed some choppyness here and there. Still, the atmosphere on Arkham Island at night with the city on the other side is spectacular. And not to mention there are a few parts of the game where I believe the graphics are just a work of art. And I have heard the game looks wonderful in HD. Not too much to complain about here!

Sound and Music is very well done. The voice actors for the Batman and Joker come from the animated series, so people familiar with that can recognize the voices. I must say, they both sound great (Batman sounds a little too stiff, I think). Other voice actors range from mediocre to great as well. I always get a chuckle when you attack a group of unarmed thugs and they reply with "ITZ DA BAT" or "IT'S HIMMMM!" and then you unleash a can of whoopass on them...
The music is also good, giving a sense of loneliness and creepyness. It's scary enough walking through a dark asylum with criminals out to kill you, so some extra scare factor does come from the music.

As for re-playability, there is some. There are 240 riddles and such scattered across Arkham Island, so when you beat the game, you can scout out some of these riddles. There are challenge maps also, I haven't really given those too much of a chance yet, considering I've only beat 1, but they are good, taking some situations that could happen in the maingame, like Armed-Thug stealth. You can replay the game on Easy, Normal or Hard. And if you are lucky enough to own the PS3 version, you can download and play as the Joker on some of the challenge maps!

This game is worth it for anyone interested. You don't need to be a Batman junkie to know what's going on, and it's not like other Batman games, which I've heard are just plain old beat em' ups. No, this is the real deal, and it's a good contender for Game of the Year. Overall, it deserves 94%, an outstanding score.

Comments welcome.
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CopShadowGuy Sep 7 2009, 07:40 PM Post #2
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The Night

 I got a taste of playing this at a friend's house this weekend. What Waterfox says is the truth!
GET AGAINST THE TREE!!!
 
Kamigy Sep 7 2009, 08:02 PM Post #3
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The local depression
 Its one of the funnest games i have bought this year.I agree with everything aqua fox says.
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"You have to laugh to keep from crying."
 
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