Review: Batman: Arkham Asylum

The Joker has been captured and is being returned to the maximum security Arkham Asylum, where the top criminal masterminds are held.

But, being the Joker and with some inside help, the villain escapes into the depths of the asylum, with Batman in hot pursuit.

The hunt is then on, as Batman must battle villain after villain in his quest to confront his ultimate nemesis.

Past video games centering around superheroes have generally fared badly, delivering hurried-up, shoddy gameplay, with the action centered around a movie debuting at the same time.

In many of the cases, much of the blame for the low quality would have to be aimed at the company producing the movie, since time constraints often force the game designers to rush out a game that they might not otherwise produce.

With Batman: Arkham Asylum, the game designers were under no such constraints. The game has no movie tie-in and thus was allowed to follow the normal course of development.

It shows in the final product, a game that’s entertaining and imaginative and does the mythos of the Batman proud.

The game offers a variety of gameplay that guarantees nary a dull moment.

On one hand, it’s a typical brawler. The Dark Knight faces off against a room full of mostly low-level thugs, with his fists as weapons. While moves are limited – generally confined to one or two buttons – it is still satisfying to clear out a room, leaving unconscious enemies in your wake. Stringing together a lengthy combo for extra points is an added bonus.

Other situations take a little more thought and a bit of stealth, since many of the criminals are armed and Batman, for all intents and purposes, is not.

Which brings up another point about the game. Being that Batman carries no guns – in fact no deadly weapons at all – he often must be more calculating to achieve a goal.

His gadget repertoire consists of devices that can throw foes off and help him to navigate the landscape, but he kills no one.

That restriction makes the tasks at hand a little more tricky. He can’t kill, or even incapacitate, from afar. Everything needs to be up close and personal.

To be sure, the weaponry is cool. There’s the Batarang, of course, and the Batclaw (scaling heights). There is also explosive gel that can take down weakened walls and knock out unsuspecting foes.

Another gameplay aspect is the detective mode, in which Batman studies crime scenes and situations in order to track suspects and determine the best plan of action. Detective mode gives Batman enhanced abilities, including x-ray vision, that allow for a better assessment before proceeding.

Knowing exactly where your opponents are, if they are armed or not and even what their level of anxiety is, impart a big advantage to the Batman.

Then there’s the psychological component. Throughout the game, the Joker, and to a lesser extent, his paramour Harley Quinn, badger Batman through the intercom system, goading him on.

Plus, the Riddler has placed riddles throughout the game, which when found, earn bonuses.

Finally, the Scarecrow subjects Batman to bizarre situations, brought on by a fear-inducing gas, that reveal Batman’s tortured past and challenge his abilities.

This gameplay diversity combines to make the game a blast from start to finish.

Most of the big bad guys put in an appearance in the game, with several popping up as bosses. Killer Croc is particularly enjoyable in his subterranean lair.

Adding to the basic storyline is a series of challenge rooms, unlocked during the action, that allow a player to hone their skills in increasingly difficult waves of attackers or situations where stealth and subterfuge may be necessary.

Rotatable character trophies are also to be found.

Also to be found is a series of markers that unfold the story of Amadeus Arkham, the man who created the asylum and the other facilities on Arkham Island.

Other bright points in the game include sterling voice work and a resonant soundtrack that reflects the mood and drives the story.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is the first must-get of the 2009 fall season. It’s Bat-tastic.

Platform: Playstation 3, Xbox 360 Rating: Teen Manufacturer: Eidos, Warner Bros. Score: 9.5 “Riddle Me This” chilies