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Holy awesome action game Batman!
Batman is one of those properties that just can't seem to get a break in the video game industry. Almost every single attempt at a Batman video game has been a disaster. However, I am pleased to say that the Dark Knight's latest video game exploits make for not only the best Batman game I've ever seen, but even make this title a serious contender for Game of the Year.
Batman: Arkham Asylum begins with Batman returning The Joker to Gotham City's famous asylum after his most recent rampage across the city. However, shortly after their arrival, something goes horribly wrong and Joker not only escapes the authorities but ends up in charge of the asylum. Batman then begins his quest to topple the Joker and foil his plans while battling a rogue's gallery of famous villains along the way.
This game plays exceedingly well. The stealth sequences are some of the best of their kind in a video game, chiefly because of the emotional responses of the thugs you fight. As you drop them, and they begin to find their comrades unconscious, they begin to freak out more and more, to the point that they're screaming into the night and shooting and radiators that make too much noise. The combat is super-smooth, and combo moves flow easily into each other as Batman breaks out into a kung-fu dance of death from enemy to enemy. The extras, instead of being generic pick-ups, are given out in the form of Riddler challenges involving solving complex riddles, as well as tablets left behind by Amadeus Arkham, the founder of the asylum, telling his history and the story of the Asylum's creation.
This game does an impressive job of drumming up a huge assortment of Batman villains in fairly short order, from well known characters like Commissioner Gordon and The Joker to more obscure characters such as Oracle, Warden Quincy Sharp, and Mr. Zsasz. All of them are animated beutifully and voiced superbly, many by the cast from the Batman Animated series. Of these Mark Hamel is the most impressive as the Joker, as the game's mature rating allows him to be significantly darker than he can get away with on a children's TV show.
This game does have a minor problems however. The biggest problem lies in some of the boss fights. For a game that is so creative, it is really disappointing when many of the boss fights end up being so ho-hum and boring. Boss fights should be moments to look forward to, not dread. The game's last boss fight in particular is a very clear example of this: what could have been an amazing final confrontation instead becomes just another boring fight that falls into a tired video game format.
In conclusion, I definitely recommend this game, especially if you are in any way interesting in Batman or comic books in general. Its a solid gameplay experience that rarely seems to come along, and it shouldn't be missed.
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Xbox 360
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| Genre: |
Action
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| Experience: |
Finished the game
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