Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)

Summary

In general, it was an OK game and I enjoyed playing it. Perhaps, for its time it was an amazing game, especially if you're younger and want to play as BATMAN. And as a first entry of such a game - it's really good. But for me, the mechanics and story weren't as engaging (might just have my expectations too high).

It has the tropes of a single-player story game:

• You unlock gadgets as the story progresses allowing you to access previously inaccessible locations. However, you don't feel like you really want to return to places unless the story requires it - since you might only find a single type of useless collectible.
• The bosses behave like minigames - they are probably the most engaging part of the game. The types of other default enemies was quite limited.

Things I liked

• How the level or bad guys interacted with the overall story were pretty fun
• Most of the voice acting was very good. The Batman voice might've been a bit stiff for me, but maybe it's just batman :)
• The combat is quite satisfying when you get the combos going.

Things I didn't like:

• Having the same button used for aiming gadgets and blocking attacks was not fun, since it often
• Going full stealth was sometimes very difficult or completely impossible - which I like to do in games.

A solid first entry to the Arkham Trilogy, where you get to explore Arkham Island and try to stop the Joker's crazy plans to take over Gotham, while also bumping into a few others from Batman's gallery of rogues. The game offers a freeflow combat system, where you jump from enemy to enemy and can deal with them depending on their weaponry using your gadgets and martial arts skills. Some sequences require a more stealthy approach as you silently dispatch a squad of armed goons using your environment as cover. Between hanging from gargoyles and beating up thugs, you get to use your detective skills to follow trails of your foes, hack security systems and uncover secrets from the past of Arkham. You can also collect the infamous Riddler trophies and try to solve his riddles along the way. The story provides some boss fights against Titan powered brutes, but they can be beaten pretty much the same way always, so not much excitement there.

What I really like about Arkham Asylum is the scary, horroristic vibe it has. From Scarercrow's maddening world to Killer Croc's lair, the game offers a scary and creepy atmosphere that would make anyone run away scared to death. But you are not anyone, You are BATMAN.

What Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight trilogy did for Batman comic book movies, the Arkham trilogy did for comic book game- they raised expectations of what a could and should be offered. Arkham Asylum lays the foundation for both narrative and gameplay that will be further developed and refined in later entries.

After delivering Joker to Arkham Asylum, Batman finds himself fighting alone the takeover Joker manufactured. While the odds are overwhelmingly against him, Batman is more than capable of meeting the challenge. When Batman's progress is stymied by an impossible obstacle, a new device is always waiting to overcome the hindrance. While Joker is the ultimate objective, other villains will make an appearance, notably, Killer Croc, Zsasz, Poison Ivy and Bane. While each provides a greater challenge than the common enemy, none is so difficult to be frustrating. The same tools and methods required throughout the rest of the game is all that is required to beat the major villains- each is a test of what one has already been practicing throughout. Outside of combat, Batman also must solve basic puzzles to progress throughout the facility. Like the boss battles, puzzle difficulty will not hinder progress through the game. Most are little more than following a trail or using a tool to overcome a basic obstacle. The solutions are obvious. While the challenge does ramp up throughout the game, it is balanced by equipment and ability upgrades that are generously offered by playing the game.

There is, however, plenty of opportunity for challenge for those who desire it. Combat challenges and optional puzzles scattered throughout main campaign offer greater challenge and more depth for those who desire, but the game can reasonably be completed without completing anything beyond the main objectives. Much of the optional content in the main campaign provides not only additional challenge for those who desire it, but also a lesson in the long history of Batman. The developers at Rocksteady have produced not only an excellent game judged on its own, but also a fitting tribute to one of the most iconic characters in comic history. The developer's love for Batman shows through, and will deepen that of the player as well, novice and dedicated fan alike.

I played this back in 2015 and didn't like it. After loving Shadow of Mordor (another jumpy/sneaky brawler) i decided to give this another shot. As it turns out, i was right the first time.

The main problem with BAA is that you feel like you're just going through the motions. Even when the game isn't 100% linear, there's always just one possible solution. People like to complain about narrative games and call them "walking simulators" - i would call this a "game simulator". You walk from A to B, press the right button, smash Space to open a vent and trudge through a boring fight.

The story isn't particularly interesting either, though Hamill does a fantastic job as usual. Player choice, story and gameplay are three core elements of games. And BAA fails to do any of them well enough. Even the gameplay fails. The game promises "brutal melee brawls" but combat is either a boring boss fight, a 'sneak or get shot' sequence or a simplstic battle in which you really just button bash. Compared to Shadow of Mordor combat is plain boring.

The problem is that BAA is an abomination. It wants to present a strong narrative while also being a parkour brawler. One relies on strict boundaries - the other cannot function well within them. The result is a half-baked mess.

Main dark horse of the late 2000s? As much as Nolan's dilogy (at that time) reevaluated Batman in the movies, Arkham Asylum did the same in video games. What's even more surprising, Batman:AA set some new standards for actions. Not bad for a superhero game, right? Who would have thought about it before.

Beat 'em up is the main gameplay part, but don't be afraid, it's always combined - there's stealth, there's riddles, there's something else. Every detail is in its place. Locations are changing through the game. Nightmare atmosphere is up to eleven. Villains are natural. Unreal Engine 3 does its best job at making beautiful and glossy graphics with a little "wax figure" effect. Every challenge is logical enough to be satisfying. Great moment every 15 minutes. Maybe it's not perfect, but B:AA also has edge that everyone forget about - this game is interesting for people who don't care about comics and all those things.

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5 stars. Turly the crowning achievement for Rocksteady.