Not since Marvel Ultimate Alliance have I truly enjoyed a comic licensed game. Then came Batman: Arkham Asylum.
And all is good.
The one-man show that is B:AA absolutely reeks with authenticity. From Kevin Conroy as Batman to Mark Hamil as Joker to Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn I was literally thrown back to after-school cartoons where I literally raced home to watch Batman: The Animated Series. I am a bit behind the times only just finishing it, but, being one of my favorite games of 2009, it was worth the wait.
Batman: Arkham Asylum is a very dark game, pulling more from a Frank Miller-esque world than even the the last two Batman movies. Yes they could be dark, especially Dark Knight, but neither come close to Miller’s Dark Knight Returns. You begin the game by returning the infamous Joker to Arkham Asylum. You make it clear to the warden and to Gordon that something isn’t right. Lo and behold, ten minutes later you’re already starting to fight the Joker’s goons after he’s escaped and beginning the crazy ride that is Batman: Arkham Asylum.
I’m not going to delve too much into the story here, because that is one of the best things about this game. Suffice it to say, the story and storytelling include you in their interactions. Think Half-Life 2 camera control in certain parts, and 3rd person storytelling in others. You battle against a full gamut of Batman baddies including Zsas, Bane, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, Killer Croc and, of course, Joker. You match wits against The Riddler performing a somewhat interesting collection game throughout your quest to stop the Joker. The game is very interesting as the riddles are true to form, however if you have a knowledge of the DC comic universe, Batman specifically, you may have an easier time. This was one of the few games where I went back to play the collection part because it was actually interesting and fun.
The gameplay was absolutely phenomenal – there is a saying in life that should be applied to video games: Less is More. B:AA takes a few good concepts, for example free-flow battles, and does them extremely well. I found myself looking for trouble more often than not just to feel like a badass fighting anywhere from six to twenty thugs. The combat just works so WELL. The boss fights were simple, yet satisfying. The platforming was no-fail in almost every part, so if you fell off a cliff, in true Batman form, you pull out your grapple and save yourself. The game is very forgiving of stupid mistakes out of battle, which makes for a very stress-free platforming experience.
The battle focus primarily resides around two types: stealth and brawl. The stealth mechanic… well it was a bit heavy-handed. I know Batman is a nina and is practically silent, but when I drop right behind a guy from a few hundred feet up, something is going to move. Whether it be the walkway shivering or a sound, the guy should have at least a clue. Plus, hiding on gargoyles is one of the main escape tactics and it seems a little gamey to me, but I actually find it a bit funny that they are clueless at the beginning, but later on in the game they have some surprises waiting for you on your gargoyle friends. That’s all I will say. The Brawl battles are just all out fistfights that, if you’re quick enough, can link together in one long series of thug-crunching blows. The key is to learn when to defend and when to attack. Practice in the challenge rooms if you’re having trouble, because that is one of the coolest parts of this game. The combat flows so smoothly and is relatively simple to be proficient in. Mastering it takes some time, but the process is so fun anyway that it doesn’t matter.
The visuals in the game are also amazing – I personally enjoyed the big reveals of the cityscape when you’re on a cliff overlooking Arkham near the beginning of the game the most because it gave you such a daunting feeling. The entire island is crawling with thugs and super villains just waiting to punish you. The art and presentation of the game is spot-on with creating exactly the mood and representing the DC Hero’s world. Hell for Batman probably includes 90% of what he has to deal with in this game. The way that Batman’s suit get progressively more torn up as the game goes on is neat, if a little canned. Its not really based on how much you get beat up, but more of a progress meter. You really only get your suit damaged in cut-scenes, and it looks cooler and cooler as you continue on. By the end your suit is in pretty rough shape. It would have been cool if it was a bit more interactive, but it was a cool storytelling device. The look of the villains and thugs were great. I’ve not seen such a sexy Harley Quinn since the comics – they almost went a little anime with her and the uh… well rounded… figure she has up top. Poison Ivy was a beauty to behold, and Croc was an actual terror. Joker looked amazing as well. They all did. Top notch visuals here.
The PhysX were a great addition to the PC version – the way you interacted with the environment’s less obtrusive elements such as smoke or mist, spider webs, and breaking building was amazing. There is a part where you are battling the Scarecrow’s toxins, and the building breaking effects are amazing. The way everything moves makes it feel more like an interactive movie than a game. My wife actually sat down and watched me play this game for a few hours, just enjoying watching it because of this.
The music and ambient sounds are extremely good at setting the mood and the desperate odds that Batman faces. It does a good job of sucking you in and creates a level of immersion that really helped me feel part of the game. So many studios don’t really put the time needed into sound creation and scoring. Eidos and Rocksteady scored a win with me, a musician, on the score on this game. It wasn’t always present, but it was when it needed to be and created the appropriate vibe for the scene.
Overall, B:AA is one of the best games of the year as far as I’m concerned. Its arguably my favorite comic book game of all time as well. Its up there with Marvel Ultimate Alliance. Its done a good job of setting a new bar for comic book games, telling the world that they can be great, and that the public will respond if they are. Apparently, so with the Guiness Book of World Records, who awarded B:AA the ‘Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever’ world record. Not too shabby, gents. Not too shabby at all!
Overall I give the game a 9.75 out of 10 – the games small annoyances in stealth and gamey approach can’t be ignored, but the rest of the game is stellar. Best game of ‘09 so far for me.
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