If you weren't sure about whether you like Batman... then this game probably won't change your mind. You're also probably a twat, but there you go.
It was all understandable to be nervous about a Batman game being good. Honestly our expectations were lower than that; more like "playable enough to finish". Nonetheless, all expectations were blown out of the water by Rocksteady in this 2009 marvel that proved that comic book superheroes could have incredible games with the right guidance.
Atmosphere is key, here. That's not to say that all the other components to this game aren't excellent, which they are. I would just like to mention the atmosphere of the game, and the sensation it gives me while playing. It's dark, but not scary; more than anything it's erie, and it actually works really well by knowing that you can't be afraid, because you are the fearless Batman. The feel of the game is not Christopher Nolan's Dark Knight, but it's also not Tim Burton's Batman. More so in between of them, edging to Tim Burton's. Not only is the artistic style something positively unique in gaming, but the score really adds to the setting, which is reasonably dark as it's an asylum. The atmosphere really made this game for me, though, understandably, you might need more convincing.
The gameplay doesn't feel like it would be part of a Batman game. A free flow combat doesn't sound like it would work, especially bacuse of how quickly Batman moves when you get you combos high, but it really fits in with the game. There are so many animations whilst fighting, and as you progress through the story you will be able to unlock new moves, such as a takedown or a throw. It feels incredibly smooth and, though it can be easy to understand, will take precision and patience to fully harness it's combo-building glory.
The other main gameplay aspect, and one that would make more sense, is predator mode, in which you hunt your enemies down stealthily using all of the gadgets in your arsenal. It'a moment full of pride when you manage to wipe an entire room out without anyone noticing. It feels engrossing, yet not as nerve-wracking as it should, because again, you are Batman.
If there is one particular problem in the gameplay, and the game in general, are the bosses. These are just boring, and often they feel like repeatings of other boss battles in the same game. They repeat fighting moves to often, drag on for too long, and honestly bring down my feelings towards the villains I was facing; particularly the last one, but we'll get to that.
How's the story? Though it might seem like a problem, facing a copious amount of villains in one game, it not only makes sense, but is done in an effective manner; not the boss fights, as I have already mentioned, but their introductions and their feeling of real threat to Batman. I feel like these all feel like true obstacles in your way, rather than just pieces to be moved in front of you to stretch out the game or to make you just have seen them only to see them.
The story really takes a toll on Batman, being shown by his suit, which actually becomes ripped as you progress through the game. It really does feel like the longest night of Batman's life. Everything that I had to do in the game, though there was a great sense of backtracking (given the maps limited space), I still felt like I was doing my tasks for a good reason rather than just to pad the game to make it longer. I was fully committed to seeing it to the end, given great performance by Mark Hamill as the Joker. This guy did such an excellent job portraying the iconic villain, and I was invested the entire time, waiting patently and eagerly to see what was going on and what plan the Joker was really planning. The story is incredibly well-told, and again, though there was some amount of backtracking, I simply didn't care because of how much I loved the beauty of the environment and the sense and tone of the atmosphere.
Is there another problem to this overall powerhouse of gaming? Yes; the ending. It also happens to correlate with the issue of the boss fights, as it not only ends up being the worst battle of all, it ends up ruining the feeling I had for the game a bit. This ending was just to anticlimactic and almost a bit rushed. Everything up until the last 20 minutes was just pitch-perfect, but I was just disappointed in the ending. Maybe i'm making the ending out to be worse than it really is, but please don't let that bring you feeling toward this game down.
In the end, though, you must play this game, particularly if you are a Batman fan. But this game is simply so well done that you have to try it out for yourself. Ignore my quibbles and purchase this game, and play it till you only can see in Detective Vision anymore.
9.4/10
| Item Package Dimensions L x W x H | 6.7 x 5.3 x 0.6 inches |
|---|---|
| Package Weight | 0.22 Pounds |
| Item Dimensions LxWxH | 5.4 x 0.6 x 6.7 inches |
| Item Weight | 0.2 Pounds |
| Brand Name | WB Games |
| Country of Origin | United States |
| Color | One Color |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Manufacturer | Warner Bros |
| Part Number | 788687501088 |
| Model Year | 2012 |
| Size | 1 Pack |
