BATMAN (Arkham Asylum)

You knew it was coming. When every masked vigilante and obscure superhero starts making appearances in games and film, the big guys are sure to make an appearance. Batman is arguably the most recognizable superhero ever conceived, yet when it comes time for such heroes to make a jump into the realm of digital gaming, they often fail to impress. The resurgence of Batman’s popularity following the acclaimed Nolan films suggests that a new game must be comparable in tone, with a dark and brutal atmosphere. Fans will rejoice in the knowledge that Batman’s latest venture, Arkham Asylum, is also his greatest yet.

Given the historically low bar for franchise-based video-games, this may seem a trivial achievement. However, this is not merely an excellent game. Arkham Asylum elevates Batman to the realm of his finest cinematic productions and most beloved graphic novel depictions. Interestingly, the design of the game is an amalgamation of several forms of Batman. The visual style, lavishly detailed thanks to the Unreal engine, mimics the style of a comic; Batman’s sculpted abdominal muscles are more reminiscent of a comic than a movie, while the Joker’s visage is freakishly exaggerated, truly a nightmarish clown of homicidal intent. There is also an obvious precedent for the voice acting in Arkham Asylum, with Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill playing the Batman and the Joker respectively, reprising their roles from the Batman Animated Series.

Also of note is the script, or more specifically, the person responsible for writing it. Paul Dini is known for his work on the Animated Series as well, but rarely are his talents displayed in such grandeur as this. The premise of Arkham Asylum is a simple one: the Joker has taken over, freed all the violent criminals within, and made the entire facility his own little circus with Batman under the spotlight, naturally. As the game progresses, it becomes clear that considerable thought has been given to the storyline – this is not just some mediocre action title with Batman-themed geometry. Dini’s vast experience with the characters, as well as the undisputed abilities of the cast, truly bring Arkham Asylum to life. The entire development team should be congratulated for creating a Batman world of unparalleled credibility.

This credibility is fundamental in creating what might be considered the first authentic Batman experience. It would not be stretch to call Arkham Asylum a “Batman Simulation”, in fact. As a comic-book character, it is the credibility of Batman’s world that makes him so compelling, not simply the realism. When you’re using “Detective Vision,” Batman is essentially scrutinizing multiple spectrums with a fidelity exceeding any known scanning equipment. Does any of this detract from the game? Of course not. It’s easy to throw fantastic elements around and write it off as “just a game”, but in the Batman universe, there is always a satisfactory excuse (Batman’s unique access to original and obscure technologies, for example). Perhaps more impressive is the fact that many will not even stop to question such things, because the game itself is so gloriously immersive.

Not surprisingly, Arkham Asylum seems to take more than a few hints from good ol’ Sam Fisher of Splinter Cell fame. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; in fact, I would argue that Splinter Cell works so well, many of its mechanics are worth studying. One of the underlying principles of stealth-based gameplay is that you must see the enemy before they see you. This is obviously easier when the game is presented in third person, and when the player is able to find concealment in the shadows. The alternative vision modes are the most extreme example of heightened situational awareness. Enemies can stand out like a sore thumb, making the hunt seem almost too easy at times. The abilities of Batman might make him seem a little overpowered at times, but why complain? After all, he is a superhero, and that’s how it should be.

Within any given context, there are plenty of options for mixing things up, and acting out your very own Batman moments. Rappel down to an unsuspecting guard to snatch him up like an ambush predator. Watch his fellow inmates panic when they discover his limp body, suspended in the air like a hunting trophy. See them scatter and search, only to get picked off one at a time, victims of the terrifying Batman. Track them and hunt them, sneaking up on them from behind and striking from the shadows. Of course, Batman doesn’t actually “kill” his enemies, only knocking them unconscious before moving on to another area of interest. Rest assured, there is still plenty of violence to be had.

The hand-to-hand combat is simple enough that you won’t feel much fear when pummeling goons. Stringing together moves can be done with little more than a few successive attacks, and some variety can be found in the form of counters and special moves. This is probably the biggest fault I can find with Arkham Asylum. The combat feels a bit watered down to appeal to more casual gamers. It would have been nice to see more in the way of counter attacks, with Batman-esque moves that turn the enemies’ aggression against them. The boss battles, although visually interesting, are also something of a letdown – primarily because they simply do not feel like boss battles at all.

Despite these disappointments, Arkham Asylum is an outstanding piece of digital entertainment. The musical score is appropriately moody, the sounds effects have plenty of oomph, and the voice acting is easily some of the best you’ll get in a video game. It should come as no surprise that the PC version of Arkham Asylum happens to be the prettiest. In fact, if your PC can handle all the high-end effects, this will be one of the best looking games in your library. Unless you are absolutely disgusted by Batman or action games in general, there is really no reason to pass on Arkham Asylum. It is truly Batman’s finest hour.

Review Scoring Details for Batman: Arkham Asylum

Gameplay: 8.8
The boss fights and combat mechanics feel a little weak, but everything else works extremely well. Great pacing, variety, and some surprisingly good replayability thanks to the Riddler.

Graphics: 9.5
If your PC is up to snuff, I daresay that Batman has never looked so good.

Sound: 9.5
Superb audio design, with the voice performances being one of the game’s strongest points.

Difficulty: Easy/Medium
Batman dominates his foes physically, but there’s plenty of mayhem to keep him on his toes.

Concept: 9.0
Alright, so it’s Batman. Even so, the story is original, and the blend of combat, stealth, and detective gameplay is really fantastic.

Overall: 9.2
This is the first game that truly grants players an opportunity to be Batman, whether he’s using his intellect or his fists. Anyone with even a modicum of interest in playing an awesome Batman game should pick up Arkham Asylum, without any hesitation.