Batman Arkham Asylum Review [500 words] – CallsignHUSKER
. Batman Arkham Asylum has been mislabeled; many consider it to be action adventure. Arkham is a finely tuned stealth action adventure. In some ways this is the hallmark of Batman; he is both stealthy and a brawler and no game to date has captured this important duality until now. Batman moves stealth action forward, in some ways even surpassing the ease of use of other stealth giants such as Metal Gear. Being able to see through walls using detective vision mode allows the player to make a quick battle plan when approaching a new area and keeps the pace of the game steady and fast. This important game mechanic also identifies clues, destructible walls, air ducts, whether enemies are armed and much more. The biggest con is that this mode is too useful and you end up using it all the time. Don’t think for a moment that this is not a brutal, skull bashing game because it is, but it is also much more.
. Batman Arkham’s greatest accomplishment is combining action and stealth gameplay and making these two disparate play styles augment each other. You can silently swoop in from above, kicking a goon across the room and then use a brutal finishing move before zipping skyward to land atop a gargoyle. You can sneak up behind enemies for a silent kill or fight enemies head on, countering their moves and using their own weapons against them. The combat is easy to learn but hard to master and gadgets and strategy usually play an integral role in a fight. All the gadgets work great but more importantly they are constantly useful. Intuitive controls allow you to quickly fling a batarang or take careful aim. The grapnel gun is smooth and fast, whisking you into the air the instant you press the button. The exploding gel and Batman’s other gadgets can be upgraded as you progress through the game. As you get further in the game you learn and improve your moves and your suit shows gradual wear and tear so that by the end of the game Batman looks like he’s been through hell.
. Mark Hamill voices the Joker perfectly and the supporting cast doesn’t disappoint. Graphically the game looks great; my favorite areas were outside but the inside scenery is also full of character.
. Solving mysteries, setting traps for enemies, stringing crooks up from gargoyles, fighting beautifully animated slugfests with armies of goons, this game has it all. There are loads of unlockables, challenges and riddles to solve. It’s a shame that there’s no multiplayer whatsoever but the game certainly has replayability. If you like action or Batman this game is a must buy!
Immersive – 9.5 – Stealth mechanics keep you interested and add depth to the action.
Technical – 9.0 – The graphics, animations and sound design are all great.
Value – 8.5 – No multiplayer but lots of stuff to do once you beat the game.
Average = 9/10
