Super hero games range between uninspired and dull to pretty damn fun, but those in the second category are rather in the minority. Good old Superman, for instance, has been reeling from one poorly thought out title after the other for a long while and so has the Batman games scene.  Even the best of the Batman games over time haven’t captured the feeling of being under the cover, facing down maniacs with his fists and wits.

Batman Arkham Asylum has been on sale since Aug. 2009, and is breaking the mould and all reviews we have seen seem to be unanimous in their excitement about the game. Certainly, to us, it seems like a brilliantly polished and totally engrossing prospect. From what we have seen so far, few licensed titles have captured so accurately and completely the ethos of its inspiration as Arkham Asylum.  It’s kind of a patchwork of influences, but respectfully moulds them into its own unique take on The Dark Knight.  It’s not surprising that Warner brothers.  Has labelled the game as this year’s massive Batman event.  And with Rocksteady creating such an exciting, atmospheric experience, Arkham Asylum is fated to be one of the largest, and best, computer games of 2009.

Combat is simple with single-button-press punches, stuns and redirects and is context-sensitive, depending on which way the thumbstick is leaning.  Take-downs are performed by pressing RT + Y or B+Y when close to an enemy and are cinematically highlighted by a random slow-mo payoff cam.

Game informer has really positive things to assert about it.  Not only game nark but gamespot.com and IGN.com are providing this game good exposure to publicity.  Gameplay elements, like fighting six guys at once, or silently taking on enemies with guns, are introduced slowly and individually.  Then, as the tale moves on, variables are introduced.

Gameplay photos of Batman : Arkham Asylum, explaining some of the mechanics behind the Joker, and his style in the game looks truly great.  Move in the shadows, induce fear amongst your enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham city’s most notorious villains who have taken over the asylum.

Gamers move in the shadows, instigate fear amongst their enemies and confront the Joker using a good range of Batman’s gadgets and capabilities, players do really imagine that they became the Invisible Predator.

Stealth sections normally involve methodically picking off enemies one at a time, and can generally be identified on entering a room where gargoyles flank the walls.  Batman uses these gargoyles to support his weight, using his grapnel gun to zip up out of view and safely survey the area.

Looking round the web it is been difficult to find anyone criticizing Arkham Asylum.  The worst around appears to be from the telegraph newspaper ( UK ) which I qote as follows :

‘With this level of invention and awareness of detail it’s disappointing that Arkham Asylum’s biggest failing is with some of its chief battles.”

“While the build-up and design is usually wonderful, the fights themselves frequently rely far too heavily on tedious, rinse-and-repeat video game tropes.”

“The final encounter particularly, comes about rather brusquely, and is so empty as a gameplay experience it can leave a marginally bitter taste after the superb ride that came before it.’

Although even that commentator obviously thought his negative view on this to be only a small gripe, ending with :

‘But that ride is what matters most, and is positively what’ll you remember after the end credits have rolled.  With a sequence of combat and stealth challenge rooms with online leader boards rounding off the package, Arkham Asylum is a brilliantly polished and wholly engrossing prospect.  Few licensed titles have caught so credibly and completely the ethos of its inspiration as Arkham Asylum.’

Our conclusion : Moving Batman around in Batman Arkham Asylum as reviewed is always a treat when you think about yourself as a villain slayer. The combat is free flowing allowing for dynamic fighting sequences and talent.  Great involving and immersive fun to lose yourself in!

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