Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)

Okay, so let me explain: the game "Implemented" those physics features where a female breast would jiggle when they move. so every time Harley was on the scene, I would laugh so hard for some reason!

Anyways, the game is nothing but a masterpiece! I can't believe this game was from 16 years ago! it looks pretty good, plays extremely well to a point where every mistake made is on you and no one else but you. I'm just amazed by what was achieved here quality wise, and will dive into Arkham City next.

I loved the story and the voice acting so much, the atmosphere. I can keep talking for hours about this, it's amazing!

Irrespective of the medium, I normally dislike super-hero stuff. Comic books have never been my thing, 95% of the super-hero films I’ve seen has been during my childhood, and up until very recently, the Injustice fighting games were the only super-hero related titles I had played. These types of worlds and characters simply don't appeal to me unless you try something markedly different or give it quite a different spin, like for example The Boys or Joker did. If there is no crossover whatsoever, the Batman universe is the sole exception to this. I like the tone, the world, and for the most part I like the lore. So realistically, Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy (and maybe Origins) was the only set of games I was interested in taking for a spin, especially because at least one of those games seems to be constantly lauded as the best super-hero title ever.

Again, do keep in mind these are the thoughts of someone who normally isn’t into this type of content, so I’m not sure how much my personal opinion will differ from the norm.

Right off the bat I want to mention Asylum’s combat. It’s easy to experience it for yourself and see why this inspired others (Sleeping Dogs, Shadow of Mordor & War, Mad Max, etc). It isn’t the series’ best, but already in this first entry you get a very enjoyable output, with fights that are fun, feel punchy and look flashy, just like super-hero game combat should. There’s a bit of movement clunk by today’s standards, but nothing that would be enough to feel frustrating. Gameplay outside combat is also pretty cool, with some awesome-feeling mechanics, upgrades and gadgets that really enhance traversal, even though some of this is only experienced towards the end of the game.

Alongside gameplay, I also appreciated the tone and engaging slow-burning intro, which showcases a gritty, moody, stormy atmosphere that remains throughout. Asylum does a great job of acquainting people with the Batman universe villains, especially for someone like me who hasn't been exposed to them all that much, and all this is done through an awesomely dark comic book aesthetic and very solid voice acting, especially in the Joker character. I also really enjoyed how they tied Batman’s confrontations with Scarecrow to his own inner demons which inform and drive his personality and motivations. Most of the exposition in Asylum leads to very cool boss battles which is one of the game's strengths. All that said, Riddler. There’s a lot of Riddler in this game and I simply don’t understand why.

In contrast, I thought level design left something to be desired. There’s quite a bit of unnecessary backtracking throughout and this leads to some mildly boring repetition, which is further hurt by a clear lack of enemy variety. But on the whole this is still a pretty enjoyable game, even 14 years later, and a strong start to the trilogy. 8/10

I recently completed my fourth playthrough of Arkham Asylum, and it remains one of the best superhero adaptations to video games of all time.

It certainly exhibits a few of the messier hallmarks of its era: Its grimdark presentation tiptoes into parody, its color palette is over-reliant on grays and browns, its female character designs are rather cringe-inducing, and its quick-time events long ago wore out their novelty. (It's portrayal of mental health is also woefully outdated, but I think that criticism could be leveled at most forms of Batman in media.)

But underneath all that is an expertly designed Metroidvania that feels deceptively open given how linear it actually is, with rhythm-esque combat that's as satisfying to pull off as it is accessible to action game newcomers, just the right amount of hidden collectables and easter eggs, and memorable set pieces with a clear respect for the source material.

And let's talk about the game's audio! Ron Fish and Nick Arundel's soundtrack follows in the footsteps of Danny Elfman and Shirley Walker to wonderful effect. Mark Hamill and the late Kevin Conroy are as breathtakingly well-cast as ever. But most impressive to me are the game's extras: You are constantly overhearing henchman engaged in conversation, reacting to the situation, and lending the game so much more life than is typical for A.I.

Arkham Asylum is the smallest and most straightforward game of Rocksteady's trilogy, but in many ways that's allowed it to age more evenly. Whether you play the original PlayStation 3 release, the PC version with improved graphics and textures, or the Return to Arkham remaster on consoles, there's no better starting point to play as the caped crusader.

Arkham Asylum really is the game that really changed what comic book games should be, and I respect it for that. And to be honest, a decade later (oh my god that makes me feel weird), it holds up extremely well.

I personally adore Arkham City, one of my favorite games of all time, and though I feel its more wide-open approach is more appealing to me than this, this game is far more replayable, even though that may be due to the main story being a little too short for my likening.

I really have to commend it for creating a brawler-like genre that's still going strong with what Insomniac's doing to Spider-Man. It's exciting, and though it isn't fully refined, it’s charming though there's a point where it becomes obnoxious and even just frustrating. I also really wish there were more defined bosses, sometimes they are really boring, but in general, the combat controls well, and feels good, even if for a relatively short main campaign, combat feels a bit tedious when it shouldn't. I think that really is my major gripe with this game though.

The excellent sound design and atmosphere are no thanks to the lurking cells of the asylum, it builds this eery, grounded tone that's immediately clear once it's set. It builds its own Batman universe, while also relying cleverly on its original source material, where elements of this universe can be distinguished as "from the Rocksteady Arkham games", and that's one hell of an accomplishment of a licensed game to do.

My favorite part of the game though is the voice acting. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill will always be "my" ideal Batman and Joker, and even though they are switching tones from what they normally used to do, they are so iconic that it really doesn't matter. Every single casting choice helps add to the world that's being built, and every single one adds identity.

The game is suitably well-paced, even though it can be irritating sometimes, the story, the combat, and the puzzles all generally have a flow that doesn't break and helps enhance immersion. It juggles these gameplay elements, or different types of combat in a way where despite the pebbles that slow the carriage down, you want to keep ongoing.

The number of cool collectibles also adds to, again (I’m gonna say this so many times), the worldbuilding, the characters you meet or defeat, and there are so many that they add hours and hours of additional content that might fill the thirst of people wanting maybe a bit more.

If you couldn't tell enough, the strongest general theme aside from the voice-acting for me is the worldbuilding. While I progressed through the story, the thing that kept me going wasn't really the story (which is admittedly serviceable), it's learning more about this version of the DC universe. It has its own identity while also being full of references for comic-book lovers like me.

There were multiple of times where I was frustrated at certain points of the game, but the highlights kept me going. I love these iterations of these characters, of these iconic villains and for most of them, I thank this game. So, not a bad first outing. Good job Rocksteady.

8/10.

This will be brief. I really liked this game. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamil are awesome in this game. You can read information about other characters in the Batman Universe. Riddler trophies are pretty fun to collect. The beat-em-up parts of the game were fun due to how rhythmic it can be. After playing this game, I feel like Scarecrow will actually be the real villain throughout the series while Joker just has a lot more screentime and is in your way most of the time. Some criticisms would be that the bosses suck except Poison Ivy. At least she was unique unlike Bane, Titan-filled enemies, and even Joker to some extent. There are barely multiple ways to approach enemies. Instead you just have to beat them up. There is barely any creative level design for you to experiment with gadgets outside of their main functions. In the end, the game made you feel like Batman. Give this one a shot if you like Batman, comic books, or superheroes.

FINAL RATING: 8/10