Batman: Arkham Asylum - Megathread - One of the best this year?

[BlueCali]

For the most part, superhero games have only managed to be "good" and not "great" in the past. But we may get something very special when Batman: Arkham Asylum releases in June (yep, another potentially hot June title).

According to MCVUK, Eidos says that Batman will be one of the biggest productions of 2009 and moreover, it will "set a new benchmark for licensed video games." As the article points out, this is yet another bold claim from a publisher; you may recall Activision's statement saying that Modern Warfare 2 will be the "#1 entertainment property" of the year. But despite the perceived rashness of such claims, from what we've seen of Arkham Asylum, we're almost ready to believe Eidos. Said head of UK marketing Jon Brooke:

"We expect Batman Arkham Asylum to not only be the biggest game of the summer but one of the stand-out games of the year. It’s as close to perfect as we’ve ever come, it looks amazing, plays beautifully and has a rich twisting storyline with enormous replayability. I’m confident enough to say that it will set a new benchmark for licensed games and it’s going to establish itself as one of our best games ever."

...if that's not confidence, we don't know what is. Brooke also went on to say that they've got some serious advertising and marketing lined up to push the game, and it'll run for about four months. He says it's their "biggest campaign of the year" and they're definitely going to "make some noise." Well, we don't mind that. If you haven't done so already, check out the latest video for the game; the Invisible Predator Trailer. As you can see, this title really does have a ton of potential, and those of you waiting for Infamous - which releases right around the same time - may be faced with a tough decision...

Source: PSXextreme.com - Eidos: Batman

 

[jefXfree]

Batman sells 2M, new DLC on the way

The battle between comic-book companies DC and Marvel continues to heat up, especially since Disney recently purchased Marvel. According to a report in the L.A. Times, Warner Bros. hit Batman: Arkham Asylum has sold more than 2 million units in the first month of its release. To further compete with Marvel, Warner Bros. plans on taking advantage of its licensed properties and making more movies and games.

In other Batman related news, Eidos is planning on releasing two DLC packs in the next two weeks, according to Joystiq. Next week’s free pack is entitled “Insane Night,” while the following week will see the release of “Prey in the Darkness.” Both expansions are brand new and not reworks of pre-order exclusives. The DLC packs appear to be for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. Look for them on Sept. 17 and Sept. 24 respectively.

 

[mobius387]

[media=youtube]r94AJzJZZaU[/media]&feature=related

enjoy

ker-sploosh!

 

[jefXfree]

First Batman DLC detailed

The first of two free downloadable content packs for Batman: Arkham Asylum is coming this Thursday, and includes two new challenge maps. Insane Night DLC includes two maps that will test your skills with the FreeFlow Combat and Invisible Predator systems.

In the “Totally Insane” FreeFlow Combat map, you’ll be tasked with taking down waves of inmates who are attempting to escape through the asylum’s records room. The other map, the “Nocturnal Predator” Invisible Hunter Map, will force you to use stealth to take out a horde of dangerous enemies.

The DLC is free and is available this Thursday for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC. The next DLC, Prey in the Darkness, is schedule to go live on October. 24.

 

[jefXfree]

PSU Editorial: How the Caped Crusader saved the superhero genre

When we think back to videogames based on superheroes, very few, if any, gave us the thrill and excitement that should come with taking control of some of the most iconic mutants, spandex-wearing vigilantes, or caped anti-heroes. There always seems to be something missing from the equation. Either the superhero is misrepresented with cheesy one-liners, or the gameplay is so skewed that fighting even the most basic foes is frustrating.

Rocksteady’s Batman: Arkham Asylum is our caped-crusader in the otherwise dull and poorly crafted superhero genre. It’s not without justification that the game has garnered tremendous reviews from critics and substantial sales figures for Eidos. However, what we like best about Arkham Asylum is the hope it brings us that the superhero genre is not lost in a sea of disappointment.

The Dark Knight has made his rounds in previous titles, usually accompanying the latest theatrical release in the series. Games like Batman Returns and Batman Forever fell short on many levels, mostly because it followed the same general theme as their movie counterparts. While many will argue these movies (and games) were entertaining and true to the classic live-action Batman television series, long time followers of the comic probably felt a bit cheated.

In the films Batman Begins and The Dark Knight, director Christopher Nolan's take on the classic DC comic character changed the way we perceived the Caped Crusader. No longer was the series campy, it was now full of the darkness that artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger originally created for the action hero. The movies took us into the scum-infected Gotham City, which at times felt too familiar for those of us who grew up in big cities. Yes, the Dark Knight was once again the gritty, rough and tough superhero we remember, but with a sense of humanity unmarked by previous entries in the series.

We first started hearing about a video game tie-in for the latest incarnation of Batman around the time The Dark Knight was released in 2008, though many speculated a title would be released sometime after Batman Begins came out in 2003. We never saw a game based on either movie, and to some extent, we're happy no one tried, otherwise we could of had more games like Iron Man or Incredible Hulk, which proved colossal disappointments in comparison to their movie counterparts, depending on who you ask.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is not based on either of the new Batman movies, but it certainly seems to share the same gritty qualities. In reality, the new Batman game seems more in line with the original source, the Batman comics, than any other form of media, from movies to cartoons. The game features an equal focus on Bruce Wayne's detective skills as his combat skills. But Rocksteady certainly didn’t forget about the combat. Your attacks come in quick succession via the FreeFlow Combat System. It seems almost effortless to take on a gang of 10 villains, swinging punches from one foe to the next. In true Batman fashion, you block punches aimed at the back of your head, turn around and provide a quick head-butt, kick behind you to knock down an oncoming henchman, and twirl around to punch another bad guy attacking from the side. The fighting mechanics are brilliant, and a welcome addition to any action game, especially a game based on a superhero.

Batman’s arsenal of detective skills, tools, and abilities is beautifully crafted to allow the gameplay to stay smooth through the hairiest of situations. Instead of the sloppy flying and fighting mechanics from past superhero games, Batman quickly throws a batarang to distract an enemy, and gracefully glides in for a silent and stealthy kill. Then, in one tap of the button you are flung to a stone gargoyle high above the scene, disappearing in the shadows. Down below, as a group of The Joker’s henchmen try to figure out what happened, you quickly escape in a steam pipe, discovering a doctor’s office deep in the asylum. As you switch to detective-mode, you pick up on her fingerprints. Throughout the game, detective skills keep you looped in to the friend or foe you are trying to track.

Staying true to the Batman experience, the game takes place in Arkham Asylum, the infamous island that houses Gotham City's most ferocious villains. Throughout the island lies small puzzles set-up by The Riddler. He’s not the only super-villain to grace the game. In epic boss battles you face-off against The Joker, Scarecrow, Killer Croc, and more. The island is the perfect setting for a relatively open-world style game, because it offers certain limitations without feeling too restricted. The asylum is eerie with fast-attacking enemies through dim-light rooms and prison cells. Historical recorded interviews of the various patients that inhabit the island are left throughout the game as extras.

It’s additions like these old recordings and the brilliant lighting effects that give Arkham Asylum the true ‘good vs. bad’ superhero feeling. Almost immediately, you are inclined to run through the asylum to catch The Joker, and as the story unfolds and you have hallucinations of your parent’s death, you immediately feel invested in the story. The wonderfully developed cut-scenes occur seamlessly through normal action sequences, and at no point are you left frustrated with too much or too little dialogue. Through these cut-scenes and dialogue develops the intricate story that’s so far superior to past superhero games. While most superhero games opt for more action than story, Arkham Asylum’s story is worthy of its own movie. There are very few videogames, let alone superhero videogames that leave us wanting a movie based on the title – but, sure enough, an Arkham Asylum movie would be an incredible experience.

When we play a videogame based on a superhero, we want to feel his/her enormous powers; we want the bad guys to be more than street-thugs. As most superhero videogames, movies, cartoons, or TV shows are based on the original comic book, we feel we deserve a story that we could have just as easily read off the glossy pages, rather than a story crafted for another form of entertainment. In Arkham Asylum, each punch, every horrifying Scarecrow-induced hallucination, and nearly every spoken word feels ripped directly from a comic book. In truth, we are happy Batman: Arkham Asylum is not based on a recent movie; it deserves its own world, its own story, its own soundtrack, and its own set of characters. Rocksteady and Eidos figured out how to give the game some massive personality, and after all, the superhero genre certainly needs a personality adjustment.

 

[jefXfree]

Batman: Arkham Asylum ships 2.5 million

Eidos and Warner Bros. Interactive have revealed that critically acclaimed superhero outing Batman: Arkham Asylum has shipped a total of 2.5 million units to retail since the game's launch last month.

Understandably chuffed at the news, Phil Rogers, CEO of Eidos, commented: “Batman: Arkham Asylum is one of the stand-out games this year,” adding, “I’ve been following the great reviews and consumer blogs and I’m delighted that gamers everywhere love playing this game as much as we do.”

Equally thrilled at the game's performance, Warner Bros. Interactive boss Martin Tremblay added: “The tremendous critical and commercial success of Batman: Arkham Asylum sets a new benchmark for superhero game."

“Rocksteady Studios created an excellent game and the sales numbers demonstrate how a powerful franchise fused with high-quality production resonates with consumers.”

Available on PlayStation 3, PC and Xbox 360 platforms, Batman: Arkham Asylum splices hard-hitting combat with stealthy detective escapades, with the legendary Caped Crusader finding himself up against a plethora of villains, including The Joker, Harley Quinn and many more.

 

[Illiciter]

buddy of mine let me borrow this game, despite my hesitation to play it I was glad I did, really is a game changer for the superhero games and it plays relatively beautifully.

I don't think it's the best game of the year, but it's up there

 

[jefXfree]

Second free Batman map pack out tomorrow, detailed

The second free DLC for the hit Batman: Arkham Asylum is coming to the PlayStation Network tomorrow. The ‘Prey in the Darkness Map Pack’ includes two additional challenge maps.

The first map is the Heart of Darkness FreeFlow Combat map, which has players fight waves of enemies at the Arkham Pumping Station. The other map is the Hothouse Prey Invisible Predator map, which, as you may have guessed, requires you to test your Predator skills to silently eliminate enemies at the Abandoned Glasshouse.

 

[Horhay]

I downloaded the previous one but I haven't had time to play it. Either way keep the free content coming!

 

[jefXfree]

Warner Snap Up Majority Stake in Batman: Arkham Asylum Dev, Rocksteady

Warner Bros have decided to put their money where their mouth is and bought a majority stake in Rocksteady who proved a dab hand in handling the Batman license, where so many others have failed.

Part of its own DC Comics brand and movie franchise, Warner has now acquired the Batman video game license and will publish the next title in the Arkham Asylum series, snatching the reigns from Eidos.

"Rocksteady demonstrated its professionalism and extraordinary development abilities with Batman: Arkham Asylum," said Kevin Tsujihara, president of the Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group. "This arrangement is a great strategic fit and we are very pleased to solidify our relationship with this talented development team."

Rocksteady game designer, Sefton Hill also expressed his excitement to work on other Warner properties besides Batman, saying, "The Rocksteady team is very much looking forward to creating more great games based on widely recognised Warner Bros. brands like Batman."

Eidos still own more than 25 per cent of Rocksteady Studios, and will continue to represent on the developers board of directors.

Warner also recently bought the rights to Mortal Kombat from a doomed Midway.

 

[mobius387]

RUMOR: Website reports GOTY edition 3D???

indianvideogamer.com posted an article reporting that the GOTY edition of Batman AA was going to be released with Trioviz 3D technology, including two sets of 3D goggles in the package.

if you try and access the article now, its gone. the publisher requested that the article be removed.

is this just an off-the-wall article that is totally false, or is the removal of the report an indication that something was leaked when it should not have been, and it is true that Batman AA GOTY will be in 3D? you decide!

 

[DaMexiRican]

Would be awesome if it was and if I had a 3D tv

 

[mobius387]

yah this game was great enough in 2D. ima hafta play thru it again here soon!!!

 

[DaMexiRican]

Me too. Never finished the challenges.

 

[mobius387]

Me too. Never finished the challenges.

yah, i gotta find all the goodies and secrets, solve riddlers challenges too. plus, i just wanna play through again, game play was fantastic!

 

[DaMexiRican]

I got all but one riddler trophy. Can't get it

 

[mobius387]

I got all but one riddler trophy. Can't get it

which one? (use spoiler tags)

 

[DaMexiRican]

Spoiler

There's one in a cave somewhere. If you go on a ledge next to the hospital or whatever, you can see it through metal bars. And on the other side is a collapsible wall. I just can't find that wall from the other side.

 

[mobius387]

ahhhh gotcha

i have an idea!

Spoiler

is it a wall you can knock down? cause eventually in the game you unlock a tool that can pull weakened walls down. id give that a shot if you havent yet

 

[DaMexiRican]

Spoiler

No, it's not exactly that I'm stuck on lol. I've beaten the game and have all the gadgets and stuff. I can see the wall that needs to be taken down, but I don't have direct access to it. I've gone everywhere around the map at least 5 times and I still can't find the side that has access to the wall.

 

[mobius387]

hmmm. that sucks. well, you could always just cheat and google it