Welcome to another Nerd Alley blog entry. I'm thinking maybe I'll just make these entries separate from my other random stylings. Anyway, take a walk with me....
Let me just say this game has been on my radar since I first read about it in a cover story in Game Informer, (Batman Arkham Asylum Revealed.) Now my first thought like with about 99.6% of games tied to licenses is "Please don't fuck this up" and they usually do. Sometimes, by no fault of the developer.
I'm going to go off on a tangent (heh) now one problem I've seen in many licensed games is the character in question having to do things he/she wouldn't do in a movie comic book. Example, why would the Incredible Hulk need a key to open a door? Answer, he's the fucking Hulk! Just dumb. If I'm going to play as Spider-Man I need to climb buildings and websling, not tolerate Peter Parker's teenage emo. Why in the world, in "Wolverine Adamantium Rage" does using his claws drain energy? I swear on Professor Charles Xavier's wheelchair that has to be the dumbest shit I've ever heard. LJN you ruined so many IPs by making them into crap games. Baby Jesus weeps.
That is where Batman: AA get is right. You feel like you are actually playing Batman. From the stalking of The Joker's henchman, the gadgets and the deft detective work it's all there. There's nothing like watching a henchman panic & shit himself as you watch from the shadows. The sound/voice acting is amazing. Bringing in talent from the animated series was the best (and only) answer. I also dig how they tell the story, presenting more through the in-game engine with radio/tv reports and Joker taunting you through the P.A. system. It's unsettling, but it sucks you into the plot even more.
The controls are simple, but effective. Combat is only two buttons, and focuses more on countering than complete going head to head. It doesn't seem like much, yet the combat flows and seeing a thug get his jaw shattered in slow mo is always good for cool points. Gadgets are also easy to use, and are upgradable.
Now I'm not that deep into the game, but I am wholly impressed. If the start has me writing this blog I can't wait to experience the rest. This is a must buy for fans of the Dark Knight, hell if you enjoy a great game go get it. Great job Rocksteady Games.
