New video game confirmed - Batman: Arkham Asylum

[Mister Sinister]

http://www.slashgamer.com/2008/08/12/new-batman-game-yay-but-its-not-the-dark-knight-boo/

 

[SuperBatman]

I just got my New Game Informer that actually talks about this game. Overall I think it looks cool the Joker looks Creepy in it and the fact that it will have multiple of Villians like Scarecrow Riddler Mr. Freeze it could be interesting. Maybe this will make up for not having a Batman Dark Knight game for the Movie who knows.

 

[spida-man]

I just got my New Game Informer that actually talks about this game. Overall I think it looks cool the Joker looks Creepy in it and the fact that it will have multiple of Villians like Scarecrow Riddler Mr. Freeze it could be interesting. Maybe this will make up for not having a Batman Dark Knight game for the Movie who knows.

can u upload scans/pics of what they show in the new magizine?

 

[Rincewind]

Well, if the art on the covers of GAMEINFORMER is any indication, it looks pretty good. Both Batman and Joker look excellent design-wise, IMO.

 

[ronny]

Personally I'm hoping that Batman can speak to his support team in the same manner as the Metal Gear Solid series. I hope that this game finally does the character justice.
Plus, being set in Arkham means that there is a lot of potential for a very creepy experience.
Imagine the Scarecrow boss battle. Him inhabiting the Janitor's quarters and chasing you with a pitchfork whilst you hear the gentle singing of nursery rhymes. This game really could work!

 

[knifeedgedave]

I thought it was supposed to be free roaming.

 

[knifeedgedave]

Sorry, scrap that. Looks like we're getting TDK AND Arkham Asylum- two different companies- TWO DIFFERENT GAMES!!!!

 

[DARKMETHOD]

yes!!!! i was truely happy when my gameinformer came in and saw B:AA on the cover. we had heard rumors but in the next podcast we can confirm it now.

 

[SuperBatman]

can u upload scans/pics of what they show in the new magizine?

Sorry I don't have a Scanner to scan pictures into the computer but I will give you more info on it

Player Action Game, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC

Publisher: Eidos

Developer: Rocksteady Sudios

Release: 2009

- Clever choice of location moves the game away from an open world Spider-Man clone and more into the dark and gritty realm of The Chronicles of Riddick.

- Packed with Batman's most dangerous archenemies Arkham Asylum boasts a brand new story reminiscent of the depth and twists of Bioshock

- Story is written by Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series, Detective Comics)

- Wildstorm is crafting the authentic yet distinct new look for all the key characters

- Gameplay places just as much focus on Batman's role as a detective as his combat prowess.

- Game isn't being rushed to tie in with any TV/Film marketing cycles.

- Game runs on Unreal Engine 3

- Most of the game is played through an over-the-shoulder perspective

- You're going to see and get to fight against all the big super villains. Seen so far. Joker, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Zsasz, Penguin, Riddler, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze and others the magazine doesn't want to spoil.

- Allies revealed so far are Commissioner Gordon who plays a big role and Barbara Gordon (aka Oracle) who is your radio contact in the game.

- Game opens with the Joker surrendering himself and subsequently taking over Arkham because of some secret the facility holds

- Magazine teases that this game will be the ultimate Batman experience so the voice cast will reflect that (Think Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill).

- Arkham was chosen as a location because of its limitations including the fact that it's an island prison. It's a persistent location so you can visit any location at anytime including Batman's secret on site Bat Cave etc. Don't think that just because this is an island prison there will only be small hallways. The developers have taken into account all the construction/destruction of the facility over the years so locals will vary.

- Eidos' Batman license includes all 70 years of comic book fiction so they're pulling from all of that.

COMBAT

- Boss Battles won't necessarily be a series of straight pugilistic fights. Each enemy represents a different side of Batman and not all of them can match his wide skill set. Some battles are focused on combat others will focus on gadgets some are similar to giant Zelda style bosses.

- Combat description in the magazine talks about Batman perched on a high ledge in a wide open room as he watches some of the Joker's thugs rifle through drawers. Batman switches to investigation mode using a blue tinted visor that among other things lets Batman see his enemies through walls and identifies things like guns and knives. One thug is carrying a machine gun so Batman jumps of the ledge, spreads his cape and kicks him in the face. He then swipes his cape in a large arc to stun his other enemies and then goes to work on them with a stylish blend of punches, kicks, a knee to the face here a behind the back elbow there. Combat has a gymnastic flourish and is accomplished using only three buttons. Attack, Stun and Throw.

- Combat is only one element of the game so the developers didn't want a bunch of button combos that you'd forget because you'll be doing other things besides fighting.

- During battle a combo multiplier at the top of the screen will increase with every strike. Once the combo expires a colony of bats will swirl around Batman and then contribute to an experience bar on the left side of the screen. In an RPG like skill tree system players will be able to distribute points where they prefer. Think Combat moves, faster takedowns, or gadget upgrades like the ability to throw multiple batarangs at the same time.

- Gadgets are revealed by collecting items in secret rooms. You'll need gadgets to survive as there are very tough enemies in the game that you can't just go head to head with (Think Killer Croc, he's 10 feet tall in the game and super tough)

- There are sections that involve sneaking but the developers call them Predatory gameplay sections as stealth tends to imply weakness, they prefer to think of it as picking off the weak people or people you wouldn't last too long in direct fight with from strong positions. The example they give in the article is Batman creating distractions with bodies and victim's yells and then stalking the guards as they go to inspect.

DETECTIVE

- Developers have come up with a very "sexy" CSI style for forensic puzzles because Batman will always have the very latest gadgets.

- Investigative mode is the centerpiece in Batman's arsenal. The visor can highlight points of interest and much like the Metroid Prime games will scan items into your database.

- They also mention another forensic gadget, a fingerprint tracker that allow Batman to follow trails of fingerprints.

OTHER

- Magazine hints at the ability to play as the villains in the game. Not sure if this is inserted directly into the game or available as a second playthrough option.

- Magazine lists a few suggested reading items. Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, Batman: The Last Arkham, and Arkham Asylum: Living Hell.

GRAPHICS

- Game is very gritty looking. The screens in the mag are all inside Arkham and show case a few hallways, The Riddler's cell, A sewer etc. Lots of great lighting going on.

- Character redesigns are pretty good for the most part. Joker looks like classic Joker only with Heath Ledger style make up (long drawn on red lipstick etc.) he still has a the bright purple suit and bright green hair. Definitely more sinister looking than say the TAS Joker. Killer Croc is huge and looks more like Jim Lee's Hush redesign as opposed to some of the more human renditions of him.

- Batman is in the Black and Grey costume. It looks more like armor however his gauntlets in particular look like the ones from TDK. Overall it looks very awesome.

- The show screens of fights and predator segments and all look very interesting.

 

[Wolverine_05]

Awesome news, can't wait.

 

[Edward Nigma]

new game informer better be in the mail tomorrow.

 

[Dark Globe]

Am I the only one who thinks this sounds like the comic?

 

[thcapedcrusader]

need to see caps/screen shots before passing judgement

 

[Mister Sinister]

Screencaps and scans

Killer Croc looks like something ripped from Doom.

 

[spida-man]

Screencaps and scans

Killer Croc looks like something ripped from Doom.

AWESOME!!

 

[Two-Face Killer]

This game looks amazing! Don't forget Lego Batman comes out next month, it may be cheesy but it'll hold you over until Arkham comes out. Also, if you reserve Lego Batman, you get a free keychain when the game comes out. Just an FYI...

 

[zahanbil]

Thank you so much SuperBats and Sinister! I think I may consider purchasing a PS3 for this

8 hours left on the Rocksteady countdown! I'm way too excited about this...

 

[.Rorschach.]

Looks awesome,cannot wait to play this.

 

[The_Dark_Knight]

Doesnt look very interesting to me.

I wanted a full scale free roam city to run around in.
Being able to glide around with your cape and drive the batmobile.

And we're not geting that. we're getting an updated Dark Tomorrow.
looks very mehh to to me.

 

[Dark Globe]

Doesnt look very interesting to me.

I wanted a full scale free roam city to run around in.
Being able to glide around with your cape and drive the batmobile.

And we're not geting that. we're getting an updated Dark Tomorrow.
looks very mehh to to me.

So basically, you want a GTA clone, but with Batman? How dull.

 

[dylan21484nj]

So basically, you want a GTA clone, but with Batman? How dull.

i think he just wants a Batman game that isn'i extremely linear like 99.99% of the superhero games before it. we all know the current generation of systems are capable of supporting games with massive free-roaming environments with more realism than ever before, and it would be great to play a Batman game where you could tool around a fully-realized Gotham City.

 

[The_Dark_Knight]

So basically, you want a GTA clone, but with Batman? How dull.

No, not a GTA clone.
You would have random crimes, ranging from petty theives breaking into a house, or drug deals with fake batmen to take out, to big time bank heists, or drug smugglings. Or even car chases with the batmobile.

The abillity to use your grappling gun, and use your cape to glide around Gotham City, and drive around in the Batmobile.

The awesome ness would not get dull.
and even if it WAS a GTA clone, it would be alot more fun then the Dark Tomorrow update we're getting.

 

[lolwot]

Doesnt look very interesting to me.

I wanted a full scale free roam city to run around in.
Being able to glide around with your cape and drive the batmobile.

And we're not geting that. we're getting an updated Dark Tomorrow.
looks very mehh to to me.

But it is free roaming. According to the article, it's a "persistent environment" in the sense that you could visit any place in the game at any time, as long as it's already accessible. They apparently wanted to use Arkham Asylum and the island where it's based because it gives a reasonable justification for being confined to a limited region, like how Bioshock is an isolated city deep in the ocean. Honestly, I don't see anything wrong with that. What's wrong with getting a smaller area that's refined to perfection? Isn't that far preferable to a huge piece of land like Liberty City that's inconsistent and repetitive? And since you often can't access new areas until you've progress further, that makes the game non-linear as well, like a Metroid or Zelda.

So yeah. As you could see, I'm extremely hyped for this. I hope it turns out as good as it looks and is described.

 

[DARKMETHOD]

i think TDK video game by pandemic will give us free roam (which is about time imo). but a video game with paul dini's story and edios (tomb raider fame) could turn out to be a very very cool fanboy dream.

the screen shots look very good and can't wait to see some live video of this game.

 

[lolwot]

i think TDK video game by pandemic will give us free roam (which is about time imo). but a video game with paul dini's story and edios (tomb raider fame) could turn out to be a very very cool fanboy dream.

the screen shots look very good and can't wait to see some live video of this game.

I wouldn't keep my hopes up for the TDK video game if I were you. It was rushed, and considering that their plans were pretty large-scale, probably not very good at all.