DrunknMunky Veteran Posted August 3, 2009 Veteran Share Posted August 3, 2009 (edited) Developer: Rocksteady Studios Publisher: Warner Bros./ DC Comics & Eidos Interactive Distributor: Time Warner Writer: Paul Dini Engine: Unreal Engine 3 & PhysX Platform: Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 Release date: PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 NA August 25, 2009 EU August 28, 2009 Microsoft Windows NA September 15, 2009 EU September 18, 2009 Genre: Action-adventure, Beat 'em up & Stealth Mode: Single-player Hands OnBatman: Arkham Asylum Hands On by Tom Bramwell On the one hand, there's something maddening about turning up to Eidos' Wimbledon headquarters to play Batman: Arkham Asylum and discovering that it's another two challenge rooms - self-contained, unlockable leaderboard-based action set pieces - that I'm here to play, rather than the single-player story mode itself. But on the other, there's something unusually reassuring about it: I'm desperate to play Batman: Arkham Asylum, a licensed superhero videogame. This may actually be a first. This preview isn't though, as you will know if you've followed our coverage so far, including last month's hands-on with the first two challenge rooms. This time Eidos is showing off a more developed Batman from later in the game, and I'm guiding him through an "extreme" version of the first Combat room, Intensive Treatment, and an Invisible Predator section unlocked closer to the middle of the single-player campaign. Relatively little has been said in public about how the story mode plays out, but we can infer a lot from the manner in which the challenge rooms are unlocked and the states in which you face them. There are 16 rooms in total, and some are opened up based on progress, while others become available when you collect a certain number of Joker teeth hidden around Arkham. Staggered between these will be other Brucie bonuses, which develop Batman's battlefield vocabulary through variation, physical enhancement and new gadgets. In other words, there are regular rewards, and they take some digging out. The challenge rooms, which alternate between Combat and Invisible Predator, are designed for high-scores repeat play, and become more enjoyable as Batman becomes more potent. Whereas last month's trip to Intensive Treatment was a rhythmic but limited procession of twirling strikes, disorientating counters and the occasional leg-break, the Batman facing today's extreme alternative is more sure of himself. Close combat in third-person games usually goes one of two ways - complex hackandslash, or one-hit-killery - but Arkham Asylum is closer to capoeira, as Batman spins and pirouettes through the Joker's goons, following your analogue direction to a specific target and improvising the encounter based on a catalogue of contextual blows, providing you hit the single attack button within a certain window. Distance isn't a factor, and combos follow, counting up at the side of the screen. Complication stems from counters, the need to stun certain enemies with your cape-spin, and the availability of multipliers, throws and takedowns once you cross combo thresholds. Throws can be used to toss enemies over barriers or into electric fences, and the more elaborate takedowns bend backs and twist limbs to breaking point, the savagery of the spectacle matched ably by the grace of the animation and the wet crunch of fist and boot on muscle. Gadgets like the batarang and bat-claw trigger-button moves encourage experimentation, which is useful because you accumulate score bonuses for things like variety and avoiding damage. Both Combat and Invisible Predator feed into leaderboards, with global and friends filters, and the best scores will rely on those bonuses. It's not just Batman with more to say though; the Joker's goon squad is out in greater force, and with new tricks for Intensive Treatment Extreme. Crowd control is ramped up as henchmen start to attack with lead pipes and go for a locked gun cabinet, which sounds a siren. With gunfire tearing Batman down so easily, it's important to keep their hands off it. Health regenerates between enemy waves, but only slightly, and the final opposition line-up gives you a knife-toting Victor Zsasz to worry about, forcing you to reach for cape-spin stun moves rather than traditional counters. Skill prevails, except I didn't have enough of it across half a dozen attempts. Continues.. Screenshots Videos Freeflow combat trailer Freeflow combat walkthrough Poison Ivy trailer Exclusive Joker trailer Villains trailer Playing the game featurette Demo trailer Behind the scenes making the game Exclusive gadgets trailer Xbox 360 Achievements PS3 Trophies Edited August 23, 2009 by DrunknMunky Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Piggy Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Oh now this I gotta try! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591374968 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yusuf M. Veteran Posted August 3, 2009 Veteran Share Posted August 3, 2009 For a second there I thought it would be console-only. I'm definitely gonna try the demo. Thanks for the heads up! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591374984 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massiveterra Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 this demo should help me make the decision of whether to play it on ps3 or 360 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591375006 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remysaus Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Nice, can't wait to finally play it. I've effectively ignored any video that was released so I'm hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591375024 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razorwing Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Even in death, there is no command but mine. cookie to the people who get this. :D Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591376058 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted August 3, 2009 Author Veteran Share Posted August 3, 2009 Megatron Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591376062 Share on other sites More sharing options...
HTF Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 excellent news. didn't know if i should get this for ps3 or pc. now i can try them both out. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591376228 Share on other sites More sharing options...
sn00pie Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 I will be buying this game on day 1. I have played the demo that was given to Best Buy retail units and it was superb. :D Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591376290 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted August 4, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted August 4, 2009 OPM - 9/10Here are the highlights of the review: Pros: Fighting gameplay is very easy to use but deeply satisfying and really responsive. Theres a trophy for flowing together 40 consecutive strikes). A terrific sense of care to DC's heritage - rivals Bioshock in terms of depth and detail. Riddler's puzzles are brilliant and add depth and longevity to the game in an unforced way. Cons: Batclaw might be slightly overpowered, and along with the Detective Vision they seem 'almost too easy to use'. The convenient placing of the gargoyle statues stretches believability to breaking point. Overall - "Basically, the whole game is a class act. the fighting is sophisticated but acade-addictive, the visuals are stylish, and the Lara-like exploration is smartly done. Plus the DC heritage feels all-encompassing like a big blanket. Akham Asylum is comfortably the best comic book game that PlayStation's ever had, and is up there with the system's best actioners, full stop." Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591380506 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minifig Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 OPM's reviews are slightly over hyped though. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591380722 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted August 4, 2009 Author Veteran Share Posted August 4, 2009 I am officially excited for this game. Some parts of that Game's Master review are hard to read, but it pretty much sets the scene exactly like I imagined. The game just screams of brilliance in attention to detail, and it too reminds me of Bioshock as well as The Darkness and Chronicles of Riddick. All with a dash of Splinter Cell mechanics for good measure. I think for the ?22 I have preordered it for, it will be hard to complain too much over if there are some faults. Eidos really should have just left the reviews handle themselfs and it wouldn't have this tarnish perception like the last couple of games they released. For once it looks like they have a solid game which will just win the masses by itself. Hope I'm not wrong though or I will be eating my hat. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591380902 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razorwing Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Megatron Andy wins! lol. I just had to put it. I probably won't get this game, because my friend will be getting it. lol. I'm not really a batman fan. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591380992 Share on other sites More sharing options...
carmatic Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 is this the game they kept calling 'Metal Gear: Batman' ? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591381058 Share on other sites More sharing options...
t0mbi Posted August 4, 2009 Share Posted August 4, 2009 Wow..this game looks great! I was a bit skeptical at first but it seems to be getting some really good reviews, so i shall give this a go! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591381408 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted August 4, 2009 Author Veteran Share Posted August 4, 2009 Deal for the Americans here No joke: Batman Arkham Asylum for $48 on consoles, $40 on PC by Richard Mitchell It's true, you can snag Batman: Arkham Asylum from Amazon for only $47.99. There's no need to pull out your handy Bat-Price-Reducer either. You need only place a pre-order for the Xbox 360 or PS3 version. Then, at checkout, simply enter the code 5OFFARKM for five smackers off Amazon's asking price of $52.99. Using free shipping, that's a brand new copy for $48. Even better, using the same coupon, the PC version can be had for only $40. That's a deal only the Joker could refuse. After all, saving money is no laughing matter. http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/04/no-joke-...soles-40-on-pc/ And for the UK Neowinians: Batman: Arkham Asylum (PS3): ?24.93(10% off code: HUT10 expires Weds 5th 8am)> Batman: Arkham Asylum (PC): ?24.95 Batman: Arkham Asylum (X360): ?34.85 Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591381426 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted August 5, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted August 5, 2009 Just a shame the hut isn't doing the 360 version for the same price :/ Guess for multiplatform owners the free Joker DLC makes it pretty enticing as well... Wonder why there's such good deals on this game anyway, it seems like it's going to review pretty well and should sell well! (not that im complaining) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591381844 Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoLiMiT06 Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Can't wait for the demo, if I like might pick it up when I get my (new) 360 next week. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591381948 Share on other sites More sharing options...
StealMySoda Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Hopefully the hype will be justified :) I'm excited. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591382042 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFlusher Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 Me too. Finally a batman game without any tie-ins to any movie. I first saw the demo of it on PS3, drooled and played some of it. Gameplay is indeed awesome. But that's just demo so I'm much looking forward to its release! If they need other story for next batman game, they should do batman hush...awesome storyline! Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591382076 Share on other sites More sharing options...
DrunknMunky Veteran Posted August 5, 2009 Author Veteran Share Posted August 5, 2009 Just a shame the hut isn't doing the 360 version for the same price :/Guess for multiplatform owners the free Joker DLC makes it pretty enticing as well... Wonder why there's such good deals on this game anyway, it seems like it's going to review pretty well and should sell well! (not that im complaining) At least there is other money saving options :p And if you used the ?10 voucher for Game 2 months ago like I suggested at the time, it's ?30. Still not great, but it's another ?5 off. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591383066 Share on other sites More sharing options...
WastedJoker Posted August 5, 2009 Share Posted August 5, 2009 I am literally going to sex wee over this. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591383092 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Audioboxer Subscriber² Posted August 6, 2009 Subscriber² Share Posted August 6, 2009 Demo today :D Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591388528 Share on other sites More sharing options...
+BeLGaRaTh Subscriber¹ Posted August 6, 2009 Subscriber¹ Share Posted August 6, 2009 Isnt the demo tomorrow? Today is the 6th :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591388530 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimmy0 Posted August 6, 2009 Share Posted August 6, 2009 Isnt the demo tomorrow? Today is the 6th :) Demo is up today (on the PSN at least). Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/806118-official-batman-arkham-asylum/#findComment-591388538 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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