No, I meant the idea that Batman was not an agile character. Do you mean “In this game, Batman is not an agile character?” 
Well I’m speaking relatively. When I think of “agile comic book characters” I tend to think more along the lines of Spider-Man or Daredevil. Or even Bruce’s own adopted son, Dick Grayson. They’re all normally portrayed as using all kinds of jumps and flips and other acrobatics moves when fighting, which Batman just doesn’t do. Bruce’s philosophy is much more straight forward. No wasted movements.
Of course I have no doubt he could beat me in a gymnastics meet, but that’s not saying much. 
I gotta admit, I’m stunned that more people on the dope aren’t playing this game. Never thought this thread would sink like a rock.
It really has a genuine shot at Game of the Year.
I’d like to pick it up but I’m about to move half way across the country, go back to school to get state teaching certification and try to find jobs that are compatible with that schedule/plan. I’ll probably pick the game up on ebay in six months or something, but right now 60 bucks is about 400 miles worth of gasoline.
I played it, but didn’t want to post anything for fear I’d get gang-raped again, District 9 style 
The production values are great, I won’t deny it that. The game itself though is pretty bland, imo. I contend that if you strip away Batman, the game wouldn’t be earning nearly the praise it has. It did motivate me to go back and replay a very similar game, Metroid Prime (for which I am thankful), but it has the unfortunate effect of really making Batman’s flaws stand out, by comparison.
I am not a fan of the combat–at all–which, contrary to a poster above, I did not find to feel responsive. When I press punch, I expect you to punch, not wind up for a few seconds then deliver the goods. Every battles suffers from the same general feeling of lag and non-responsiveness. But even assuming that weren’t the case, the combat engine itself isn’t particularly compelling. It mostly amounts to waiting for the little ‘attacking’ icon to appear over your opponent’s head, then punch the appropriate button (counter for blue, roll for red, etc).
Stealth makes things a bit more interesting, but even that amounts mostly to ‘grapple to gargoyle, wait for dude to wander away from the group, introduce his face to your foot with a gliding kick, then return to the gargoyles for a quick escape.’ Rinse and repeat. Things finally get a little more interesting toward the end of the game, when the gargoyles were lined with explosives, but it was only for a single room, and even then, one can just replace the gargoyles with the rooftop in the center.
And the whole riddle thing is silly. Perhaps I wouldn’t mind looking for them if they offered some practical and immediate benefit (again, like Metroid Prime), but they really don’t. In fact, most of the game’s upgrades, short of the health power-ups are unnecessary, and not very interesting.
With all that being said, as far as licensed-based games go, it certainly is one of the better ones, and again, the production values are great. But as one who doesn’t give a rat’s ass about story in games (except in rare cases), the gameplay left me wanting more…much more.
I just played the PC demo, and I was really impressed. I probably won’t buy it anytime soon–my gaming budget is extremely limited (the $25 I spent over the summer on three different games was a regular blowout for me)–but in a couple of years it’s a good one to pick up.
I have to agree with this completely. This isn’t just a good licensed game, this is one the best games of the year, hands down. This will make a lot of GOTY lists in December and January. A lot of sites run a poll with 5 or 6 games, and I won’t say that it’ll sweep the votes with other gamers, (as, for example, Fallout 3 did last year), but it will definitely be in consideration.
Haven’t read the District 9 thread, but no raping here Red Barchetta I promise.
Actually I think you bring up a very good point. The reputation that licensed games have is very well known and most of us tend to write them off without a second thought. And most of the time those assumptions tend to be well founded. (This year has been a little different with the Wolverine game and Ghostbusters having both received near universal praise) Is it possible that a lot of the great press that Arkham Asylum has been getting is based on the shock of such a game being so polished? I think that may be a very real possibility.
Here’s the thing… As I mentioned earlier I’m a huge fan of Batman and this is the first game I’ve ever played that really seemed to get the mythology on a more than superficial level. I honestly can’t say that my affection for the franchise isn’t skewing my opinion of the game as a game and not an extension of that mythology. (If that makes any sense) There are so many little touches that may only be comprehensible to someone already intimately familiar with it. A few examples that I can give are…
(Spoilers aplenty ahead…)
[SPOILER]The existence of a tertiary Batcave beneath the Asylum.
When you get new equipment it’s figured into the story. (You tend to get new stuff from the cave or the car, you don’t just receive it randomly.)
Clayface in the cell block.
The use of scarab beetles all over the grounds, and a mansion separate from the other facilities.
The story of Amadeus Arkham and “Mad Dog” Hawkins.
Batman spraying the gel on the ground at the entrance to Croc’s lair in the sewers.
Harley and Zsasz aren’t treated as physical threats, but challenges that need to be overcome.
The Scarecrow. Just… the Scarecrow.
Batman’s iron will is demonstrated superbly, but the hallucinations provide a telling look at Bruce’s psychology. Far more so than these games have in the past. His obsession with his parents death, and the walk through of crime alley. At that particular point when you enter the mansion, when your eyes are red, and the pop up says “Wayne Manor” and you can’t access your map. I stopped for a minute at that point and just said, “They’re not gonna do what I think they are? Are they?” They did.
And, of course, when he finds Gordon’s body and has to contact Oracle…
[/SPOILER]
The plot was written by Paul Dini, so I suppose I shouldn’t be all that surprised at the level of knowledge with the source material, but it’s still impressive that all that, and more, made it into the final product. The game is truly a love letter to fans of the Dark Knight, in the best way possible.
I’ll be interested in seeing how opinions hold up in a year or two, honestly. The story and presentation is deeper than it appears on the surface. Much deeper. But it’s true that it draws upon prior knowledge of Batman’s history. It may be necessary to be familiar with that history to gain full appreciation of the presentation.
Is that a knock against the game? Probably. The game itself needs to be a product on it’s own. I’d be interested in seeing more opinions of people who have no explicit knowledge of Batman’s mythology.
On Preview… ugh… I’m such a nerd. :o
Almost forgot…
Gametrailers has a very good video up on Arkham’s history and, specifically, it includes an overview of the story in “Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On A Serious Earth”, the comic which seemed to serve as a basis for the game. It runs about 11 minutes and is recommended viewing for those not familiar with the mythology.
Aww, you’re too kind 
This makes complete sense to me. I’m not a huge Batman fan (though I loved Begins), so I’m not really able to appreciate the attention to detail (which I can acknowledge there is a lot of–such as getting the original voice actors). Were I though, I could maybe see myself getting into it–even with the (imo) average gameplay. The production values, as I said before, are through the roof, and relative to most licensed games, this one really does have polish.
Not raping someone is the least I can do. (And that’s very nearly true.)
Has anyone tried the minigame on www.arkhamcare.com? Apparently there’s some way to get employment at Arkham, but I’m really bad at figuring these things out.
Note to self: Don’t stand under any gargoyles.
I have a few gaming rules.
#1 - I just don’t like third person action games. I was stoked as hell for Assassin’s Creed, bought it, played for about two hours, never again. I despise everything Metal Gear. Ditto for Ninja Gaiden. Just couldn’t get into any of them. I only tolerated JSRF because I loved the art to death.
Still, with all of the glowing reviews surfacing for B:AA I downloaded the demo (PC).
Ho…lee…shit.
First, aesthetics. I’m not a reader of comics. I did however, absolutely LOVE the “dark deco” of Batman: The Animated Series. This game seems like the animated series with bits of The Dark Knight, which I also loved. Glorious.
Gameplay - to me, it plays a lot like Metal Gear crossed with Thief. Wonderful.
It looks great, plays great. I’m completely sold. Though I usually don’t like the genre, this one is a must buy, for me at least.
Still - what the hell is up with the PC version not being available until the 15th? Show some goddamned love, people. This game is being presented as a flagship of nVidia’s “physX” capabilities; I don’t have the card for it but come on. Get it out there. The PC shouldn’t be a bastard child.