Just The Right Formula For "What The Hell?"
Batman: Arkham Asylum begins with Batman driving a beaten and defeated Joker to Arkham Asylum (yep, you guessed it) after a suspiciously easy defeat back in Gotham City. Batman, accompanies Commissioner Gordon and a number of other guards into the asylum until the escort goes awry and The Joker escapes with the help of Harley Quinn. The island is put under lock down as Batman attempts to figure out one very important question: The Joker isn't trying to escape, but why?
Of course, you can't talk about Arkham Asylum without first bringing in the characters. Batman, The Joker, and Harley Quinn are voiced by their respective actors from the DC Animated Universe, and the character's personalities reflect it. The Joker is more of a mixture of his animated self with a hint of Dark Knight Joker. Batman is less Christian Bale and more Kevin Conroy. A number of other villains make an appearance, including The Riddler, Venom, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, etc, all of whom play their part to the fullest. Although they don't make appearances, numerous other characters litter the game with
Arkham Asylum is a comic book game that other comic book games aspire to be. When playing as Batman, combat moves fluidly with the press of just a couple buttons and the tilt of an analog stick. You get the feel that you are Batman, as no grunt is going to stand a chance in a one on one fight, but as the numbers grow progressively higher Batman has a tougher time taking them on. In addition to his regular punches and kicks, combat introduces one of Batman's many quick time events, allowing players to counter attacks. As the game progresses, more villains enter that carry their own tricks, such as the knife-wielding maniac who must be stunned before you can let loose with the fists. Don't let this fool you into thinking that the game is a cake-walk, however. Go into big fights with the intention on mashing buttons is a quick way to a game over. Well placed strikes are your best friend, especially when you start dealing with gun-wielding enemies that can bring you down fast.
Batman Arkham Asylum is a mixture of quick time events, stealth, beat-em-ups, and egg hunting. Not literal eggs.
Batman's arsenal is familiar, starting of course with the Batarang that can stun and disarm enemies, the grappling hook, and spray-able explosives that can take down fragile walls, and many more. All of Batman's abilities are upgraded through the game's experience system, which allows you to gain extra experience in combat by stringing together combos and issuing takedowns (not DMCA takedowns).
Quick-time events are present, but there are no "press A to not die" instances, like in Resident Evil 4. Mainly they present in areas where Batman is removing the grate from the side of a ventilation shaft, or using the grappling hook to pull down a wall/boss. As mentioned above, the quick time events you'll find in combat are comprised of counter attacks that can be used to quickly take down enemies.
Stealth plays a rather minor role in Arkham Asylum. There are only a few situations where stealth is necessary (dealing with gun wielding enemies) and even fewer where the game is instantly over if you are seen. In the majority of the rest of the game, however, you can rest easy knowing that, like Batman himself, you can screw up your stealth and still be able to pick up easy and lay down a beating.
Arkham Asylum is a high-chore game, which some will enjoy and others will not. The Riddler hacks into Batman's comm system to help him along in finding the many trophies and clues thrown around the map. Finding these trophies unlocks character biographies, achievements/trophies, and completes various challenges. Batman will also come across interview tapes with the villains, as well as detailed character trophies and, of course, experience points. Maps scattered around the locations will provide your in-game map with locations of riddles, and successfully completing riddles will incite a condescending remark from the Riddler.
After the story is over and done with, Arkham Asylum also offers challenge mode where the player has to perform tasks such as beating certain enemies, gaining combos to increase points. Other challenges have you stealthily taking out opponents with certain conditions.
Owing to that, the boss battles are where Arkham Asylum really disappoints. The bosses in Arkham Asylum follow the age old (older than I am) ritual of "do something three times, expose vulnerable region." This makes the boss battles feel less cinematic, and more of a chore. Given how powerful these characters are built up to be, the actual boss battle is more akin to pulling the curtain on the Great Oz and fighting the man behind the screen rather than the giant green head that might contain magical powers. Several of the boss fights are comprised of fighting giant enemies that, get this, you dodge their charge attack and make them run into the wall.
Mechanically, the game can become unresponsive in high-stress fights. The counter mechanic in larger fights seems to simply stop working at times, and several areas condense so many characters in with Batman that the fight turns more into a jittery struggle to find breathing room. This can make several scenes rather frustrating as they come down to hoping the countering and dodging mechanics work properly.
Arkham Asylum works on Games for Windows Live, and carries 47 achievements. I give it a 4.5/5 because there are a few frustrations that set the game back, but not horribly.
