Best Comic Book Game
When I first heard of Batman: Arkham Asylum, My expectations were very low, Mostly because of the first and only Batman game I play, Batman Forever, God I hated that game. So, I said to myself, Yeah that's cool, a new Batman game and the got some of the old voice actors form Batman: the animated series, I may check it out. But after play the Demo, I was so off, It was fun. Now that I finished it, I can say that Batman: Arkham Asylum is The Dark Knight of the Batman games. It's an outstanding game in it's own rights, and the best comic book game. The story starts when Batman captures the Joker and is returning him to Arkham Asylum. But Batman know something's going on. He knows that Joker let himself get captured. Que the epic escape, and Joker has taken over Arkham Asylum. Now, The Dark Knight must find out Joker's plan. The story is out standing. Not only is written by one of the writers form Batman: the animated series, It's like works well. It's an original tale based on the comic's and you never feel like board. It's also dark, with lots of deaths, constant use of the word Bitch and so much more. You'll also see a lot of batman's famous foes, like Killer Crok, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, and more. It's not the whole cast, but it is satisfying. The Design fallows a metroid style of design. Your on one place and you exploring it, with backtracking, and getting some new toys. The backtracking never grinds thanks to the envirnments that keep changing. Let's say there's a place where you could leave, but out of no where, plants black your way. The design is also helped by the pitch perfect pacing. Story events, boss battles, and set pieces come at a perfect pace. Along with the main quest, The Riddler has hidden 240 hidden trophies and riddles for you to find and answer. You'll finish the story around 12 hours, but the pacing makes it feel like it's over in a heart beat. After that, you can compete in a number of challenge missions, these either make you beat up enemies, or or take them down stealth style. In the PS3 version, you can also play as the clown prince himself, The Joker. While he plays like Batman, his take downs and moves are different, and may leave a smile on your face. Arkham Asylum's design is perfect and has no problems, and if you thought that was good, then wait until you see the gameplay. Similar to Chronicles of Riddick, Batman has three different gameplay styles. Hand to hand combat, Stealth action, and small ditective work. In Hand to hand combat, you have an easy to use, yet difficult to learn combat. You attack with enemies and you have multiple enemies to fight. you can use counter moves and and finisher's, and you'll also need to stay on you toe's. But, not all fights are hand to hand. There are times where you'll have to be stealthy. Batman also will have to stick to the shadows. These moments, you have to be stealthy, and plan how to take your foes out one by one. You have a number of ways to take down foes, like Glide kicking them, use Inverted takedowns, and so much more. Moments like these really makes you think and feel like Batman, and the stealth works well. The final bit is detective mode. These may only make up 5% of gameplay, but there nice touch. In some area's you'll have to find small clues to tell help you find someone somewhere. Along with his fists, Batman has his trusty gadgets, like his iconic Batarang and Grappling hook, and much more that I won't spoil here. As you take down crooks, you'll fill up your XP. you get to upgrade your combos, finishers, and gadgets. Just like Chronicles of Riddick, Arkham Asylum nails these elements. Arkham Asylum truely feel like Batman. In terms of Presentation, Arkham Asylum has an overwellming amount of fan-service. The envirnments are dark and groosum, and makes you feel like your in batman's world. The animation is top noach and never slows down, only when your dealing the final blow to an enemy. There were one or two moments of texture pop in, but it never hurt the look, and happens so rarely, you may not notice it. The audio is just as impressive. The music fits the mood, and during stealth action sequences, you'll even get to hear The Dark Knight theme. As I said before, some of the voice actors form the first the animated series. In hand is Kevin Conroy as Batman, Arleen Sorkins as Harley Quinn, and Mark Hamill (aka, Luke Skywalker) as the Joker, and they do a fantastic job as the characters, the rest of the voice acting is solid and dead on the money. If your a fan of Batman, you will fall in love with this game. and if your not, you'll love this exciting 3rd person action stealth game.
