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For those of you who don't know it yet. A new Batman game is in the making, starring Kevin Conroy and Mark Hammil
http://www.gametrailers.com/player/44909.html

Arkham Asylum looks like an interesting, compelling, worthwhile Batman game.

Something we haven't seen in...ever?

The 'Predator/Prey' Stealth Mechanics and cinematic fight scenes really draw me in. That, and you can use your grappling hook to go literally anywhere.

I'm really looking forward to it, altough what I would like to see even more is an open-world Batman game, like the Spider-Man titles (just..good, you know ). With Batmobile driving and all that stuff. Still, this looks like a good start.

The reason they decided to relegate this game to Arkham Asylum alone is because they wanted to give you as much freedom as possible within the game world (I.E. - Grappling Hook), without taking a ridiculously long time to complete, or ending up sucking just as bad as the Spiderman titles (Extremely repetitive content would probably become a big issue if they gave you free reign over the whole Gotham City).

That, and they wanted to have a good excuse to have all of the famous villains in one place.

Well, if they give you enough freedom, I'm all for it, I just hope they don't overdo it with the amount of villians.

But I think I saw something that looked like a greenhouse in an earlier trailer

So far, I can only confirm The Joker (Easily), and Killer Croc, but I'd be expecting a hefty amount of really awesome boss fights in Arkham Asylum.

Speaking of confirmation, the voice cast is basically the cast from Batman: The Animated Series, if you're interested. Of course, Mark Hamill reprises his role.

Also...another feature that I like a lot is how they're incorporating RPG-style leveling into the game (I'd imagine it would be automatic, hopefully so you won't have to slog through any menus, and perhaps have some move upgrade system akin to Devil May Cry). Not that you're going to suck at the beginning of the game, but you'll be able to get a lot better.

Replay value? I think so.

I read GameInformers Preview, looks bad a$$.

Yeah, I knew about Croc.
I was psyched about this game anyway, but when I read that they got Conroy and Hammil. Yeah baby yeah. There was never a man better suited for Bruce Wayne than Kevin Conroy and as much as I enjoyed Ledger's Joker, it's nice to get Skywalker back in the role

sorry i'm still picking my jaw of the floor after looking at that, it looks immense

It looks good, but is no Lego Batman or Batman Returns on the Sega CD.

Might try this one.

RPG levelling system... *sigh* why does every game need to have that now? It might be appropriate for a year-one story, but it's obvious that that's not the case anymore. The Batman is a well established persona at this point, and Bruce's skills are fairly well trained at this point. It's not like he wouldn't learn anything along the way, but it wouldn't really warrant a levelling system.

Not only that, but when I think batman, I just want action or detective work. I hope this RPG stuff doesn't get in the way of the game.

To early to say.

It looks quite interesting may buy it when It comes out

Fafnir wrote:RPG levelling system... *sigh* why does every game need to have that now? It might be appropriate for a year-one story, but it's obvious that that's not the case anymore. The Batman is a well established persona at this point, and Bruce's skills are fairly well trained at this point. It's not like he wouldn't learn anything along the way, but it wouldn't really warrant a levelling system.

Not only that, but when I think batman, I just want action or detective work. I hope this RPG stuff doesn't get in the way of the game.

Leveling systems keep you interested in the game, by giving you a reason to keep playing beyond just advancing the storyline. With every little thing available at the outset, you tend to get bored with a game pretty easily (unless it's an extremely compelling game with a great storyline, but even if it was, leveling would help you keep going). It gives you something to show for your progress besides just being further along in the story, and if they include lots of upgrades and a New Game + feature, it has the potential to have more replay value than it would otherwise.

I doubt Arkham Asylum will be canonical anyway, so why be concerned whether or not Batman knows every trick in the book from the outset?

I'm also kind of hoping, though, that it doesn't deal with any XP/Statistic crap, and the only input you would have is having Batman learn new skills (Ala Devil May Cry). But we'll just have to see.

I doubt Arkham Asylum will be canonical anyway, so why be concerned whether or not Batman knows every trick in the book from the outset?

Would be hard anyway, considering how many Batman canons exist inthe first place

If you have an established character with a background that long and old, it would be a real pain to insert in the canon anyway.
Take the last Spider-Man game for example. Where would that fit into the canon? Not that I care about Spidey-canon anymore....

Might be one of those 'What If' games e.g. What if all marvel Heroes were zombies or what if Fry didn't get cryogenically frozen into the future of 3000?

The storie is written by Paul Dini. I think he knows exactly what he can do with those characters.

Chrysaor686 wrote:
Leveling systems keep you interested in the game, by giving you a reason to keep playing beyond just advancing the storyline. With every little thing available at the outset, you tend to get bored with a game pretty easily (unless it's an extremely compelling game with a great storyline, but even if it was, leveling would help you keep going). It gives you something to show for your progress besides just being further along in the story, and if they include lots of upgrades and a New Game + feature, it has the potential to have more replay value than it would otherwise.

Levelling systems are only worthwhile as a way to add gradual levels of customization. If all they do is increase your powers, its a waste.

There are plenty of games that forego RPG elements and do fine.

My favourite game, Zone of the Enders: The Second Runner is guilty of having level ups, but he impact they actually had on the game was so miniscule that they might as well not be there. However, despite the fact that levelling of any kind was completely pointless, the game itself was very fun and engaging simply because it played so well.

I hope this game is good I really want it to be but many, many is the game that looks great and leads to big dissapointment (Too Human comes to mind). And the first Spider-Man for PS2 was tits!

Sorry for the Thread Necro but this game was just released so it is relevant once again!


The Keatons, Bales, Nicholsons and Ledgers may make a mark but ultimately will come and go. Conroy and Hamill ARE Batman and the Joker!

So far this game is great!!!

The demo was great. Too bad it's a bit too slow to run on my computer :/

Gamespot gave it a 9.0, for what that counts.

I was trying to avoid any reviews because I want to write one myself once I get my hands on it.
Though according to IGN, the collector's edition is not worth the extra 40$. A shame, I was so looking forward to a real Baterang (replica).

They pushed the general release around here back by a month. feth.

*Goes into convulsions due to extreme levels of awesome*

Golden Eyed Scout wrote:*Goes into convulsions due to extreme levels of awesome*

Yeah, the deeper I get the more I likey very much!!!! It's one of those that I want to play desperately but I don't want it to end!

Go Joker! I'm so getting this. I'll probably suck at it, but I don't care!

I was getting the Collector's Edition either way(I'm a sucker for lore stuff, and the Arkham Journal does not disappoint) due to a trade-in coupon via Amazon.com where I got the Collector's Edition for the same price as the normal edition.

But man, the Batarang thing was disappointing.

Like Battlescape disappointing.

But eh. The rest of it, and the game alone make up for it

I cancelled my pre-order after I read the IGN article. I would've gladly paid the 40 bucks for it if the baterang would look better.

..and come off it's stand

I heard that there might be a release in some stores tomorrow around here.