Batman: Arkham Asylum
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Winger
Registered User
I'm well tempted to get this. But at £39.99 on Play, £34.96 on Amazon, and £34.85 on Shopto, I think I'll be waiting for it to come down in price a little. Game and HMV are both £39.99, too.
£29.99 and I may have been sold. I may just wait it out, though. I've got Fallout 3 and Baldur's Gate (PC) on the go. And I still haven't completed Bioshock, either.
£29.99 and I may have been sold. I may just wait it out, though. I've got Fallout 3 and Baldur's Gate (PC) on the go. And I still haven't completed Bioshock, either.
Yeah £34.85 is the cheapest I've seen it too. I'm not gonna pay that much for it no matter how many positive reviews it gets.
Only time I've paid full price for a game recently has been for PES 2009 and GTA IV.
I'll prob wait a month and see if it comes down a bit. Like you Winger, £29.99 might have tempted me but I refuse to pay £35+ for a game!
Anyone who has got it though, let us know what you think of the gameplay and especially the combat.
I've completed this game and have to agree with IGN - hands down the best superhero game full stop. Even outside of that genre it's impressive. Yes it's a little easy, even at the highest difficulty setting, but the challenge modes and riddler side-missions all add to the longevity of the title. You'll be trying to rack up those free-flow combo's, or clear the stealth modes just that little bit qucker, time and time again, once you see what the top bods on the leader boards are posting - very addictive.
The way they've broken the game into essentially two modes, out and out combat and stealth, I think work really well. The combat is deceptively simple. Once you realise how fluid you can make Batman take out the admittedly dim-witted henchman, it isn't enough to just slap them around until they stop getting up. Your looking to string flawless (not getting hit) free flow (not pausing between strikes) combos together that often end in 40 plus combos and Batman standing silently amid a litter of the jokers crew, all without missing a beat. The martial arts animations are very well done with leg and arm breaks crunchingly realistic with very few instances where you don't get the feeling that Batman is really connecting with these goons. It's full of "you got knocked the f*ck out!" moments.
The stealth sections are just as enjoyable as you're granted increasingly amusing ways of dispatching armed opponents, through the use of a varied and suitably impressive arsenal of bat gadgets. Get seen though and it can all be over very quickly so it doesn't pay to be reckless, especially in the later levels. The cowl vision (essentially infra-red) gives you a big advantage over the armed henchmen, and if there is a criticism of the game it is in the enemy AI but it's partially balanced by how quickly it's game over after just a couple of hits of ammunition (on hardest difficulty).
Everything is presented really well, from the use of the various weapons at your disposal and the action cams that partner most of them (hold down R2 when pulling off a glide-kick from distance and any Bat fan can't fail to crack a smile), to the various parts of the asylum that you travel through as the story unwinds. All the bosses look great, (especially Croc) and dialogue/voices lend themselves well to the feel and tone of the game. The addition of the scarecrow mini-games, whilst again not particularly challenging, are a welcome bonus to the overall package.
Even things like one of the games many bosses standing over you gloating as you die are polished- it all adds up to make this a really solid game - Rocksteady should be applauded as they've done a very good job indeed.
Some boss fights are a little anti-climactic (one in particular I felt a little cheated by but I won't spoil it for anyone going through the game) and did I mention the enemy AI?...
It's not going to take you long to complete but this too is balanced by the riddle solving side missions and the collecting of all the in-mate recordings and spirit of arkham stones. The challenge modes though are the real bread and butter of this game post completion.
I'll look forward to another Bat game - as long as Rocksteady are involved.
The way they've broken the game into essentially two modes, out and out combat and stealth, I think work really well. The combat is deceptively simple. Once you realise how fluid you can make Batman take out the admittedly dim-witted henchman, it isn't enough to just slap them around until they stop getting up. Your looking to string flawless (not getting hit) free flow (not pausing between strikes) combos together that often end in 40 plus combos and Batman standing silently amid a litter of the jokers crew, all without missing a beat. The martial arts animations are very well done with leg and arm breaks crunchingly realistic with very few instances where you don't get the feeling that Batman is really connecting with these goons. It's full of "you got knocked the f*ck out!" moments.
The stealth sections are just as enjoyable as you're granted increasingly amusing ways of dispatching armed opponents, through the use of a varied and suitably impressive arsenal of bat gadgets. Get seen though and it can all be over very quickly so it doesn't pay to be reckless, especially in the later levels. The cowl vision (essentially infra-red) gives you a big advantage over the armed henchmen, and if there is a criticism of the game it is in the enemy AI but it's partially balanced by how quickly it's game over after just a couple of hits of ammunition (on hardest difficulty).
Everything is presented really well, from the use of the various weapons at your disposal and the action cams that partner most of them (hold down R2 when pulling off a glide-kick from distance and any Bat fan can't fail to crack a smile), to the various parts of the asylum that you travel through as the story unwinds. All the bosses look great, (especially Croc) and dialogue/voices lend themselves well to the feel and tone of the game. The addition of the scarecrow mini-games, whilst again not particularly challenging, are a welcome bonus to the overall package.
Even things like one of the games many bosses standing over you gloating as you die are polished- it all adds up to make this a really solid game - Rocksteady should be applauded as they've done a very good job indeed.
Some boss fights are a little anti-climactic (one in particular I felt a little cheated by but I won't spoil it for anyone going through the game) and did I mention the enemy AI?...
It's not going to take you long to complete but this too is balanced by the riddle solving side missions and the collecting of all the in-mate recordings and spirit of arkham stones. The challenge modes though are the real bread and butter of this game post completion. I'll look forward to another Bat game - as long as Rocksteady are involved.
I've completed this game and have to agree with IGN - hands down the best superhero game full stop. Even outside of that genre it's impressive. Yes it's a little easy, even at the highest difficulty setting, but the challenge modes and riddler side-missions all add to the longevity of the title. You'll be trying to rack up those free-flow combo's, or clear the stealth modes just that little bit qucker, time and time again, once you see what the top bods on the leader boards are posting - very addictive.
The way they've broken the game into essentially two modes, out and out combat and stealth, I think work really well. The combat is deceptively simple. Once you realise how fluid you can make Batman take out the admittedly dim-witted henchman, it isn't enough to just slap them around until they stop getting up. Your looking to string flawless (not getting hit) free flow (not pausing between strikes) combos together that often end in 40 plus combos and Batman standing silently amid a litter of the jokers crew, all without missing a beat. The martial arts animations are very well done with leg and arm breaks crunchingly realistic with very few instances where you don't get the feeling that Batman is really connecting with these goons. It's full of "you got knocked the f*ck out!" moments.
The stealth sections are just as enjoyable as you're granted increasingly amusing ways of dispatching armed opponents, through the use of a varied and suitably impressive arsenal of bat gadgets. Get seen though and it can all be over very quickly so it doesn't pay to be reckless, especially in the later levels. The cowl vision (essentially infra-red) gives you a big advantage over the armed henchmen, and if there is a criticism of the game it is in the enemy AI but it's partially balanced by how quickly it's game over after just a couple of hits of ammunition (on hardest difficulty).
Everything is presented really well, from the use of the various weapons at your disposal and the action cams that partner most of them (hold down R2 when pulling off a glide-kick from distance and any Bat fan can't fail to crack a smile), to the various parts of the asylum that you travel through as the story unwinds. All the bosses look great, (especially Croc) and dialogue/voices lend themselves well to the feel and tone of the game. The addition of the scarecrow mini-games, whilst again not particularly challenging, are a welcome bonus to the overall package.
Even things like one of the games many bosses standing over you gloating as you die are polished- it all adds up to make this a really solid game - Rocksteady should be applauded as they've done a very good job indeed.
Some boss fights are a little anti-climactic (one in particular I felt a little cheated by but I won't spoil it for anyone going through the game) and did I mention the enemy AI?...
I'll look forward to another Bat game - as long as Rocksteady are involved.
Cheers mate. That was a great review
Can't wait to get the game now! :w00t
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Sounds like a good idea mate since 'minenow' said he had completed it already. I think I'll make this a definite purchase at some point this week. The graphics look incredible, the fights were also impressive.
Haribo
Super Moderator
I've just reached the part in the Botanary where you follow Ivy's scent. Which may about 3/5 the way through? I dunno.
So far it's been pretty fantastic, and with alot areas to go back to and explore once new gadgets are picked up. The collectables give a tremondous amount of background information to the Batman universe.
Gameplay's good. As minenow stated, there's a clear division between the combat and stealth segments, but I'd include a third key element, exploration. Particularly when it comes to the riddles. Cut scenes are excellent and the voice acting is truly awesome. Of course Hamill's ace, but Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn) also stand outs to me.
Not particularly enjoying the Scarecrow's nightmares. Reminds me too much of the blood trails/baby crying from Max Payne and really disturbs me. :lol:
There seems to be a lot of potential for a sequel. Maybe not on Arkham Island, but definitely in this vein and style. Unless I'm in for a surprise near the end, there's no Catwoman, Riddler (in the flesh) or Two-Face. All of whom are well known and popular and would definitely interest me should they appear in a follow up.
So far it's been pretty fantastic, and with alot areas to go back to and explore once new gadgets are picked up. The collectables give a tremondous amount of background information to the Batman universe.
Gameplay's good. As minenow stated, there's a clear division between the combat and stealth segments, but I'd include a third key element, exploration. Particularly when it comes to the riddles. Cut scenes are excellent and the voice acting is truly awesome. Of course Hamill's ace, but Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn) also stand outs to me.
Not particularly enjoying the Scarecrow's nightmares. Reminds me too much of the blood trails/baby crying from Max Payne and really disturbs me. :lol:
There seems to be a lot of potential for a sequel. Maybe not on Arkham Island, but definitely in this vein and style. Unless I'm in for a surprise near the end, there's no Catwoman, Riddler (in the flesh) or Two-Face. All of whom are well known and popular and would definitely interest me should they appear in a follow up.
I completed it last night. Great game, the best this year so far and definitely the best superhero game ever. My only complaints would be the designs of some of the villains and I didn't think much of the boss battles, bar Scarecrow. I've only got half of the Riddler's trophies and riddles and still have to obtain 3 upgrades, so there's some replay value there. And I haven't even touched any of the challenge rooms or the DLC that came out the other day.
I'm such an idiot though. I found myself stuck a number of times last night wondering how the hell to clear large distances. Especially in the sewer. I'd keep jumping and trying to glide, forgetting all about the Line Launcher. :faceplm:
I'm such an idiot though. I found myself stuck a number of times last night wondering how the hell to clear large distances. Especially in the sewer. I'd keep jumping and trying to glide, forgetting all about the Line Launcher. :faceplm:
Papa
Thank you for reading.
I love the nightmares. The one with Bruce's parents in particular was fantastic.
The Penguin, Mr Freeze, Clayface and Ra's al Ghul are others that spring to mind for me.
StringerBell
Registered User
I scare easily and this game gets me from time to time. I mean I've fallen out of my chair playing Resident Evil :no: the first time you encounter The Scarecrow :huh: