Editorial: How the Caped Crusader saved the superhero genre
- Posted September 17th, 2009 at 11:21 EDT by Adam Dolge
- 5,733 views
- 40 Comments
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.
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Comments
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SuPeR-67 |
SuPeR-67- 11:41am BST - September 17th, 2009
- 2
well, everyday i see or hear more about this game, and like they said, games from the super hero genre have all been really bad. So i stoped playing those kinda games. the more i hear about this one the more i want it. Lets see how many of you can rate this game from 1-10 10 being really one of the best games every made. and make me buy it. Thanks in advance to all of you who will help me deside.
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lordAlucard |
Sympozium_666- 12:04pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 5
wow but really no they actually put time into this
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edward_moffet |
edd- 1:10pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 8
I just got this game yesterday and i have to say it's pretty awesome. it has a kind of repetitive design when it comes to the pacing, if you know what i mean, and I'm personally not a huge fan of the batman voice acting though it is good, just not my style (joker and everyone else is fantastic though) But the combat, though simple, and slightly button mashy, is super slick and has a good weighty feel to it as well as having style to spare (definitely one of the funnest aspects of the game). The detective and stealth aspects, as well as all of the hidden things in the game add a lot of variety to the gameplay and the challenge rooms are fun and really extend the life of the game. The graphics aren't the best i've ever seen but they are quite good and the artistic style of all the characters is really great along with the design of Arkham itself. And while i can't really comment much on the story because i haven't played it all the way through it definitely seems a lot of care has gone into the narrative. All in all i'd give it an 8 to an 8.5.
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TheTenth666 |
TheTenth- 1:25pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 9
Batman AA has a gothic atmosphere, detective (stealth + investigation), Joker with hideously deformed face and as a terrifyingly chaotic character, Batman as a charismatic character using his presence to weaken enemy's will ... all this is nowhere to be found in BB and TDK
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zerkulo
- 1:42pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 10
From the demo I can't see where the hype is comming from. Just a typical game dumbed down for console gamers. There is plenty of room for someone to make the first worthwhile superhero game.
If it ever happens batman is the character to choose. He's the darkest and most appealing.
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flyingmaan |
flyingmaan- 1:56pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 11
It looks good, that's for sure, but why is Batman classed as a "SuperHero" When he actually has no Super Powers ? He's was just a rich kid whos parents got killed and had some kool toys made and decided to go out and be a vigilante lol.
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KlNG_DEADEYE
- 2:12pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 13
Edward your review sucks dont quit your day job, 10/10
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stairhopper |
STAIRHOPPER- 2:27pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 14
this game is amazing i give it 10/10 just because the fight scenes and tracking down all 260 riddler challeneges was my faverite so ill say it again its just WICKED !!!
psn id= stairhopper
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Xandure |
Xandure- 3:52pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 15
Edward, You have no idea what your talking about. First off Batman is NOT a button masher. You just need some skill. Repetitive? When? I'd also like to say that this game has extreme replay value as far as passing multiple times to get all the trophies, even though you can pass once on hard and get all three trophies. Finally, the challenge rooms, once you complete the game and collect all of the riddlers trophies (in game) you unlock multiple challenge rooms that will keep you fighting Jokers Henchmen, and if that isnt enough for you, in the PS3 version you are given the oppurtunity to play as the Joker with his own gadgets and fighting skills. Id Honestly give Batman: Arkham Asylum a 10/10.
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daniel_s_02
- 6:01pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 19
@11, who says a super hero has to have super powers. Those are two completely seperate things. Not all heros have powers and not all super hero's have super powers. Super is added to mean that it is beyond the norm. It's a super power cause its so much better than just having a power. He's a super hero because he is byond your normal hero. I'm tired of hearing people say that to be a super hero you have to have a "super power.
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TheDarkKnight |
PM me if you want it- 6:17pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 20
The best superhero game to date. Must buy.
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babybell
- 7:20pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 21
Its based on the comic book mythos (that the right word?) which some connections to the films. (Was Fox acctually ever a character in the comics?)
The story is written by one of the comic book writers too i believe.
The voice acting of batman/joker are done by their animated series counter parts. (again dont know about the other characters) However you look at it the voice acting is excellent.
Its one of the few games I have dilibratley died in at various points to see the game over screen.
The scarecrow sections are quite disturbing in places and certainly do mess with your mind. (My personalfavourite is in the mansion where the corriordor becomes an ally way.)
While it may struggle winning game of the year, its certainly a game really needs to be in peoples collections
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Bostonmess
- 7:30pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 22
I didn't like the demo. I thought you were too hindered, too constrained. You couldn't jump (apart from to dive) and the scalability wasn't up to much. Then I felt that stuff was too scripted like pressing square to glide down and kick someone all in one. I thought it should've been press square, then steer with the stick, then hit X or whatever to kick. Seemed too much like it was playing the game for me. I'd love to see a Batman game done with the Infamous engine or a first person Batman with Mirror's Edge mechanics. I don't mind being in the minority with this viewpoint eiither and hope you all enjoy it. :)
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Oatmeal |
NEJI64- 7:34pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 23
B-MAN:AA is the best superhero game made. the storyline and game play plays like a classic B-MAN cartoon. bats utility belt is spot on and the way you can use the baterings and batclaws during combat is perfect. @10 of coures you can't see the hype from a demo. "ITS A DEMO" LMAO earning XP lets unlock other moves you can use while fighting and use your gadgets to. i think you need to go rent the game and stop posting typical comments dumb down for a post. @2 i give it a 9.5 cause i think some boss fights could have been better overall its a excellent game.
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stovich |
TasteLikeBurning- 8:15pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 24
@ 2 - shame on you for not already having it. I'd give it a 9 just based on the demo alone, but the PS3 exclusive Joker maps, as well as the rest of the freebie stuff bring it to a 10 easily. In hindsight, the only thing you should feel bad about is that if you didn't preorder from gamestop, you missed out on the Scarecrow's Skeleton challenge map Here
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PSX_Legend |
KillZone3000- 8:48pm BST - September 17th, 2009
- 26
Rocksteady should make an Walker Texas Ranger game starring Chuck Norris!!
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A-HAAA
- 12:15am BST - September 18th, 2009
- 31
that game was good it was more tactical an stealth oriented more along the lines of mgs, but this had a much more intricate story than bb. it was more of a differrent atmosphere as thetenth refferenced it has more of a gothtic atmophere were as the original batman aa has more of a realistic one a bit ahead of its time if i would say
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tkmdk843 |
tkmdk843- 2:02am BST - September 18th, 2009
- 32
THE BEST FREAKING SUPERHERO GAME I HAVE EVER PLAYED!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rocksteady has done this game perfectly and i hope to see many more games like this. i dont wanna start putting names out there that i wish would be made like this cause its hard to say and it might take me all night to list them all. haha. but maybe a decent superman game????? or spider-man game?????? idk lets just cross our fingures and hope for the best.
i regret trading my batman arkham asylum game in. this mua 2 game isnt wat i thought it was goin to be. 8(
GREAT JOB ROCKSTEADY!!!!!!!
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SolidDrake86
- 4:16am BST - September 18th, 2009
- 33
Ummm.... there definitely WAS a Batman Begins game. Wasn't really too bad either, nowhere near as good as AA though.
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nastanley
- 8:36pm BST - September 19th, 2009
- 35
I haven't posted on this wonderful website for a long time now. So I had to post a comment this time around because we are talking about the game of the year. No super hero game has ever been this beutiful, breath taking and immersive. ROCKSTEADY did it.
'The graphics aren't the best i've ever seen'
please kindly tell me which other game released till date has better graphics than Batman Arkham Asylum.
@12
How can you frankly give a lame 7/10 to this game? The only explanation to this is that you surely are not a fan of Batman nor a fan of this genre of game.
This game is an AAA title and i give it a 9.8/10.
I hope Rocksteady gets more rights to develop other super hero games. I will like to see a SPAWN game or DEAD POOL. I like super heroes with swords.
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PSU_fail
- 11:37am BST - September 20th, 2009
- 38
Like it or not Adam, Batman Begins was released on the PS2 alongside its film counterpart. Even though the game was garbage, more research should be done before someone is allowed to post an editorial. Does PSU even have people that edit, and/or critique these reviews/editorials before they let the public read them?
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Mo-green28 |
Mo-green28- 8:24pm BST - September 20th, 2009
- 39
It's a good game, I give it a 8.5/10. I don't feel like posting why, but it's a good game, but I do think it is being overly hyped. People seem to forget,"During it's time when it first came out spiderman 2 was a very good game. the first spider man was good too." Both of those were movie games.
@35
Some of the PS exclusives look better then Batman. Killzone,Metal Gear4 etc.
No i'm not knocking Batman, I think it was a good game, but I think it is overly hyped, Just a smidget.
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losganados |
losganados- 2:48am BST - September 24th, 2009
- 40
It isn't a superhero genre, it is a theme. It is merely an aesthetic convention not a mechanical one (at least in the narrow sense).
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