Batman: Arkham City is the highly anticipated sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum. The sandbox-style action RPG released on October 18, 2011 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC. Read on for ZeroSuperman's full review of the game.
Rocksteady Studios created a steamroller of a game with Batman: Arkham Asylum, and they decided bigger was better, going all out with Arkham City. The sheer hype surrounding this game means one thing: If it doesn’t deliver, Rocksteady won’t get another chance.
Initial Thoughts
Arkham City is heralded as the brain-child of Mayor Quincy Sharp, former warden of Arkham Asylum. Its walls enclose an old portion of Gotham, now home to the criminals and crazies that once inhabited the Asylum and Gotham's criminal prison Blackgate Penitentiary. The game opens with a steamy introduction to Catwoman and her fighting abilities and then switches over to the true hero of the game, Batman.
After a few tries with the combat system, you will start to get comfortable with the controls. Batman is very fast, but not uncontrollable in his brawls. Learning how and when to block is critically more important than punches. Enemies constantly try to attack you during a fight. You have a combat multiplier that is tied to your leveling system, and a health bar. Always go for a block if the opportunity arises.
When you first cast your eyes on Arkham City, you feel its intimidating size. You instantly get the sense that this isn't a good place. As you pass over inmates, you'll get to hear their conversations. Sometimes, this will be helpful. Other times, it will annoy the crap out of you.
Gameplay
Unlike Arkham Asylum, you have a very open world experience in Arkham City.You find yourself gliding through the night sky and then swoop down on the street, fighting thugs and rescuing people from villainy. You even end up in the sewers, doing your Batman-like things down there. You will appreciate the boss fights and the diversity in how you approach each villain.
A very easy top-down map helps guide you around the city. Waypoints are automatically placed for certain objectives. You have the option to change your waypoints and even place custom waypoints. With one main story and several side missions, you will always have something to do through the main story arc. Fret not if you finish the game and the credits roll. Soon after, you will be able to return to your prowling of the rooftops and pick up your side missions right where you left off.
As you progress through the game, you will level up through a basic system. You get to unlock enhancements for gadgets and additional combat bonuses. While these things are useful, most are not required to complete the story.
The Combat and Predator Challenge Modes make a return, but they are diversified. You can compete in straight forward challenges via the Ranked Challenge Menu. You can test your mind and body in the Campaign Challenge Menu. Finally, you can use modifiers to create Custom Challenges.
New Game+ makes an appearance. It basically translates into a Hard difficulty mode. You get to restart the story, keeping all your unlocked upgrades and whatnot, but enemy attack indicators and other helpful elements are removed.
Graphics
Unreal Engine 3 sees its best game yet. While the Epic-created game engine would seem best utilized in Epic-created games, Rocksteady smoothed out the roughness and slapped a lot of detail into Arkham City. Visually, it gives Gears of War 3 a run for its money. The streets of Arkham feel dirty. The buildings feel neglected and old. The night air feels cold and harsh. Even the drift of snowflakes landing and melting on The Dark Knight’s suit have a feeling of depth. With all this detail, you will actually find relief that the Detective Mode still appears in a simple form.
Let’s Fight!
Those who played Arkham Asylum will find it a bit easier to acclimate to the combat system. Ultimately, there are only a few simple button presses to deal with. It’s the timing that will cause frustration. You have to guide Batman in a free-flow combat, usually with multiple enemies. You are graced with indicators that show you when to block, and you can block more than one attacking enemy at a time.
Other enemies require much more finesse. When you start seeing the guys with guns, it' time to switch tactics. You have to ability to take enemies down silently, string them up to light posts or pull them over ledges. You will use virtually every move in Batman's arsenal without it feeling forced.
Parting Thoughts
When game reviewers gave Batman: Arkham City high reviews, they weren’t wrong. With only the 400 Riddle related collectibles and junk to really complain about, Batman: Arkham City is a game that everyone should play at least once. There are portions that will baffle some people. I had a hard time with some puzzles and finding objects that only have an outlined area in which to look. One thing rings true, and every other review about this game says it: Batman Arkham Asylum is the best licensed game ever. Batman fan or not, everyone should give this game a try.
Buy it!
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