infexxionBatman: Arkham Asylum Review
Batman: Arkham Asylum basically re-invents superhero games all together.
Batman: Arkham Asylum is the latest entry in the video game market of the much-loved superhero. Ever since the release of 'The Dark Knight' last year, hopes were high for a video game that could successfully follow in the movie's footsteps. While a video game of the actual film wasn't created, this game feels like exactly that, plus much more.
VISUALS: It's not hard to say Batman: Arkham Asylum's graphics are anything less than stunning. I didn't notice any choppiness or glitching throughout my playthrough. I went through on the PS3 version, so I can't comment on the other (Windows, Xbox 360) versions.
4.7/5
GAMEPLAY: The game takes a simplistic combat system seen in quite a few other superhero video games, and amps it with with the 'Freeflow Combat System' allowing you to rack up the points by defeating enemies in quick succession, not missing a hit. This is a very neat idea, and the way it is present works great.
The mixture of stealth and pure-on action is great. If you've got a room of guys below you, you can be Rambo by bat-a-ranging a few of them, then swooping down and taking them all on in hand-to-hand combat, or you can strike from the shadows from uptop. Gliding kicks, inverted takedowns, ledge takedowns, explosive gel, you have a lot of different ways to approach the combat.
Boss fights are also present, and *most* of them work well, even if they do generally involve you targeting a specific weak spot at the right time and performing the correct action. I was a bit disappointed with a few boss fights, but this is only because they were hyped up throughout the game to be something great. Regardless, most of the boss fights are FUN, and give a good change of pace to the normal gameplay.
Challenge rooms are also in, and they work great. You're either going to take on waves of increasingly difficult enemies, grouped into 'rounds', (4 overall) and compete for the high score. The other type of challenge room pits you against armed opponets, forcing you to strike from the shadows. Whether you prefer the hand-to-hand combat style, or striking from the darkness, there's a challenge mode fit to suit your style of gameplay. PS3 owners get the added bonus of playing as the Joker in exclusive challenge maps tailored to fit him perfectly.
4.5/5
SOUND: The music is good, but you don't get to hear it throughout the game. Only during cutscenes, but it is still fantastic. Voice-overs are all amazing, with special props going out to Mark Hamill for his amazing work. The only bad thing would be a bit of poor lip-synching, but that doesn't really detract from the amazing sound work.
3.7/5
BREAKDOWN: ( Pro - Con)
Amazing Visuals
Great Voice Acting
Gameplay Is Simple, Yet Extremely Complex With A Combo System
- Few Disappointing Boss Battles
- Poor Lip-Synching
OVERALL: 4.3/5 = Must Rent/Recommended Buy
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