Ah Bruce Wayne, we've always wanted you to have a good game, from the NES to the Playstation 2, most gamers have been sorely disappointed. Rocksteady and Eidos have finally broken the mold of "Good Batman Game."
Let me begin, Batman: Arkham Asylum which was recently released a few days ago has been controlling my gaming desires since the midnight launch.
Everything that you could think of putting in this game was done almost entirely to the letter.
The game begins as Batman is escorting the Joker to Arkham Asylum. After a brief and very easy struggle from the Dark Knight's point of view. The Joker is going to his cell and that is where the game begins. The Joker planned to be captured and had an ace in the hole as he always does as he reveals to Batman, Commissioner Gordon, and all of Arkham's Staff that he has complete control over the entire facility, and it is up to Batman to stop him.
Now the gameplay features what you would from a Batman game, extensive hand-to-hand combat versus multiple assailants, using the gadgets of the Dark Knight in any way you wish to, crime solving and investigation that would make Sherlock Holmes wet himself.
The combat is very fluid as you fight multiple of the Joker's goons at once, you control Batman as he weaves through armed and unarmed opponents with ease and build up your combat multiplier that way. Batman's hand-to-hand skills include basic punches, jump kicks, sweeps, quick takedowns, and mid combat throws to deal with larger crowds.
The setting of the game is extremely well detailed, this is the first time for a game that the entire Arkham facility has been envisioned, the attention to detail and homages to different Batman characters is astounding. With careful looking around you can find a detail for almost every single Batman villain, even the minor ones such as Humpty Dumpty and Tweedledee and Tweedledum. There is also an added gameplay element added to the setting, The Riddler has set up trophies and actual riddles that you must look for in every section of the facility, that truly shows the developers wanted this to be a true Batman experience.
The two most amazing gameplay elements would have to be the Detective Mode and the stalking of enemies in rooms where it is truly meant to happen. The Detective Mode is used by accessing the Batman Cowl's visor, it can identify weak walls which you can break through, enemies, DNA trails corresponding to what is being tracked which could be blood, breath containing alcoholic content, fingerprints, and other dna trails.
Stalking enemies is probably the most fun this game has to offer, there is a multitude of ways that you can take out multiple enemies in a room, applying explosive gel to an adjacent wall, stringing them up onto a stone gargoyle, swoop in and go for a quick KO, or use the good old Batarang.
The characters in this game top the icing on the cake, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill the definite voices for any non live action Batman and Joker headline the cast to the game and give performances that are on the same superior level of voice acting as in the original animated series. Most of the original animated series cast has reprised their roles as well, Harley Quinn, Two Face, Mr. Freeze, The Riddler, Clayface, The Penguin, and many others. Not all of these villains are featured in the game, but clues such as audio clips of their personal stays in Arkham can be found in the game.
Overall, the game in total length for an average playthrough would be between I'd say 11-14 hours, 15-20 if you're actively seeking out all of the secrets of the island.
Rent or Buy: I love the game and I'm a big Batman fan, but for most gamers, I'd say it's a Rental.
Graphics: The Unreal Engine made this game look and feel like I was in control of a comic I could see myself buying.
Sound: The music is eery at times, and also blood pumping, it gives you the major feel of being in the creepy area which is Arkham Island.
Gameplay: Anyone can enjoy this game and it should be played through atleast once by anyone with a next-gen console or a PC which meets the requirements.
Score: 10/10
