Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)

I really loved learning more about "The World's Greatest Detective", seeing Bruce use his intellect as well as his fists to solve problems. However, I wasn't a huge fan of the stealth, and I found it really stressful to take out all of the guards without being detected. This was almost a dealbreaker for me, and after I got turned around and couldn't figure out how to use the map, I decided it wasn't for me.

So there I knelt, perched on a gargoyle, waiting to pounce. The last of a cowardly lot of criminals panicked. They pleaded to be spared by their predator. Meanwhile, their maniacal leader’s voice played over the speakers. “You’re not worried are you, as he takes you out one by one?” Amongst the tension I basked in the sight of the gothic architecture, lit by orange light… Soon, a bulky bald headed thug neared. It was time. One mistake could lead to bullets through my side. I glided forwards, my bat-wing caped stretched. Instantly the force of my boots kicked him into sleep. In that moment, I was the Batman.

The story of Batman: Arkham Asylum is faithful to the comics on which it’s based. Batman acts how fans expect. He’s forbidding, determined, clever and importantly – a loner. The villains such as the Joker also act exactly how fans expect. However, non-Batman fans not fully understand who the characters are or their motives. Unlockable character bios may fill in the blanks but they won’t create a truly emotional response. Discoverable audiotapes documenting the inmates will achieve that, but non-Batman fans shouldn’t have to put in extra effort to understand the characters that drive the drama. The main plot is well paced and the dialogue is engaging, but it all feels like a bit of tease. Although set in a mental asylum and referencing insanity, there’s no exploration of what makes all the crazies tick. That’s where the hidden audiotapes shine. The actions of the inmates recorded are disturbing. The same is true for the secret messages of the Asylum’s founder players can discover and which also raise moral questions.

The gameplay involves controlling Batman. On the surface he’s a superhero in tights, but underneath he’s a dedicated human who has honed his mind and body to perfection. Brawling with unarmed goons involves a flowing combat system. There’s attacking, countering, dodging and stunning. It’s simple but isn’t boring or too easy. Bigger brawls are crowded and you’ll need to watch your back. Combos are also fun to pull off. When it comes to armed thugs you won’t be charging in like Superman. Instead, you’ll hide in the shadows, taking them out one by one or at least slowly. Batman humanity and lack of immunity to bullets creates challenge, and a nice balance to God-like moments of brawling. There are many creative options while sneaking, such as popping out of grates on the floor or using gadgets such as explosive gel which triggers explosions. Despite the combat system’s successes enemies may feel repetitive. The bosses are also repetitive and they’re not particularly innovative. Outside of combat the game is solid. To clear the Asylum’s buildings players might have to crawl through vents, use a grappling hook or deactivate electric barriers. The solutions aren’t always straightforward but aren’t impossible. A neat feature is the detective mode which is used to analyze evidence and track various trails. This brings immersion to the old formula of getting from A to B. Outside the main objectives there’s Riddler challenges, like solving riddles or collecting the audiotapes mentioned. All these challenges give a sense of achievement and rewards such as extra challenge modes. The open world map is great for the hundreds of challenges as you can return and explore. Although non-Batman fans might find riddles irritating as the references will be unfamiliar.

The gameplay is complimented well overall by the sound and graphics. The voice acting is the stand out. Batman fans will be filled with glee by the return of the cast from Batman: The Animated Series. The actors playing Batman and the Joker perfectly match their characters, and players will enjoy their performances. The sound effects are realistic but at the same time suit the game’s comic book inspired world. The music creates ambiance and suits the world’s tone. However, the quality does sometimes sound computer-generated and tunes are forgetful. The graphics also bring realism to the comic book inspired world. This is noticeable when Batman is injured in the plot and the effects are visible by scratches on his face or tears in his suit. The asylum is also filled with details such as writing carved into inmate’s cell walls, and it’s eerie but colorful scenery is beautiful.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is the game Bat-fans had been waiting for. It the respects the source material and playing as Batman feels true to the character. But if you love action-adventure you’ll love it too. The Combat a blast, the world is atmospheric and the Riddler challenges offer great replay value. Some however will dislike the occasionally repetitive gameplay, and the main plot will disappoint those looking for a deep exploration of insanity or fans looking for a complex Batman story.