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Batman: Arkham Asylum is an action-adventure stealth video game based on DC Comics' Batman for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360 and Microsoft Windows. It was developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics. The PS3 and Xbox versions of the game were released on August 25, 2009 in North America and August 28, 2009 in Europe.[5][6], and the PC version was released on September 15 and 18 of the same year, in North America and Europe, respectively. Square Enix announced that it would publish the game in Japan for Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in Spetember.[2]
Batman: Arkham Asylum, written by veteran Batman writer Paul Dini, is based on the long-running comic book mythos, as opposed to most other Batman games which are adaptations of the character in other media besides the source material. The Joker, Batman's archenemy, has instigated an elaborate plot from within Arkham Asylum where many of Batman's other villains have been incarcerated. Batman investigates and comes to learn that the Joker is trying to create an army of Bane-like creatures that threaten Gotham City, and is forced to put a stop to the Joker's plans. Much of the game's characters are voiced by actors from the DC animated universe, in particular Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, and Arleen Sorkin reprise their roles as Batman, the Joker, and Harley Quinn, respectively. The game is played as a third-person perspective action-adventure game with a primary focus on Batman's physical combat abilities, his stealth skills to take out opponents quietly, detective skills, and an arsenal of gadgets that can be used in both combat and exploration.
Gameplay
Batman: Arkham Asylum is played as an over-the-shoulder, third-person perspective action-adventure game, similar to Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space.[9][10] The player controls Batman as the masked vigilante makes his way around the island and structures of Arkham Asylum. In addition to running, jumping and crouching, Batman is also able to glide from heights using his cape, and use his grappling hook to ascend short heights or escape and hide from foes on gargoyle statues. In order to track Joker and other archenemies, the player can switch in and out of "detective mode" which activates special visors in Batman's Cowl.[11] In this mode, most of the game world is rendered in darker colors, but objects of interest and people are highlighted, including limited x-ray ability to detect the location of people. Special objects that Batman can interact either directly or with a number of gadgets that are gained over the course of the game are also highlighted. The detective mode can automatically be switched to special scanning modes to track the presence of compounds, fingerprints, and other unique data, which are used to direct the player to the next location to explore.[12]
Gadgets include the batarang, an explosive compound sprayer and detonator, grappling gun, and a frequency scanner that can be used to overload security panels.[12] Some of these can be used both during normal exploration of the game world as well as in combat. The game world, though presented in a linear path, allows for exploration at any time, and recently-acquired gadgets can often be used to access areas that were previously inaccessible. Exploration of the world is prompted by items and clues left by The Riddler for Batman to find; in addition to objects to be collected, some of the Riddler's riddles require the player to seek the item in that area that is the answer to a riddle and scan it with Batman's visor.[9] Solving theses riddles unlocks special content for the game, including challenge levels that tests the player's skill at the game's free-form and "predatory" combat system, as well as character bios, patient interviews and detailed character trophies. Riddles, as well as defeating foes, also lead to experience points, which can then be spent on several possible upgrades to Batman's arsenal, as well as his health and moveset, at any time.
Combat
The game uses a "Freeflow" combat system,[12] accomplished by using three primary buttons: attack, stun and takedown.[10] used to emphasize the primarily-physical system of combat that Batman employs. Additionally, Batman is able to use Batarangs and his Bat-Claw as supplemental combat tools which can help to extend combos. Countering opponent's attacks can also extend this combo; a brief indicator is shown when playing at lower difficulties to indicate when an opponent is ready to attack. By chaining regular and counter-attacks in combos, the player can build up a special experience point multiplier, which increases further if timed well. When this surpasses a specific threshold, the player then has access to an additional special attack that can quickly take down a single foe. Batman can take damage from his foes, and can be knocked out or killed should it fall too low; when combat is completed, Batman regains a portion of his health related to the experience earned in combat. As the game progresses, the player will come up against opponents with knives and stun prods that require different tactics to deal with, as well as Titans that can be ridden on to attack other enemies. Certain enemies will also try to get their hands on guns, requiring the player to stop them from doing so.
The player can also employ "Predator"-type tactics through stealth to improve the odds in their favor. This includes silent takedowns by sneaking up on foes, dropping from overhead perches and snatching a foe into mid-air, or using the explosive compound on destructible objects to knock foes off their feet. Some areas features sections that require the player to employ these tactics to avoid alerting Joker's henchmen and failing to meet an objective. Harder areas, such as the Extreme challenge maps, put explosives on gargoyles generally used to escape out of sight, requiring players to be more stealthy and cautious of their surroundings.
Plot
The Joker attacks Gotham City's Mayor's office, but is foiled by Batman, who escorts him for incarceration at Arkham Asylum. The same night, a mysterious fire at Gotham City's Blackgate Prison has caused several hundred prisoners to be temporarily relocated to Arkham, many of whom were among the Joker's most recent crew. As Batman escorts the guards taking the Joker inside, the asylum's security is overridden by Harley Quinn and the Joker is able to escape and take control of the facility, enlisting the Blackgate prisoners in addition to other rogue characters imprisoned at the asylum. Batman quickly realizes that this has been part of Joker's plan including the Blackgate fire, having double-crossed a security guard to help him escape. The Joker threatens to blow up bombs scattered around Gotham City should anyone attempt to enter Arkham, forcing Batman to work alone; however, Batman is able to rely on Commissioner Gordon and other loyal guards, after Batman is able to free them, to help secure prisoners he has defeated, and Oracle is able to guide him through the Asylum over the radio. Batman is able to gain access to an adjunct of the Batcave he had set up years ago on the island, and is able to use his sleuthing skills to learn of Joker's plan. It is eventually revealed that the Joker is seeking a chemical called Titan that is produced in the asylum, which is based on the same chemical that Bane uses to become super-powerful, though the Titan formula is much more potent. Not only does the Joker plan to use it on the various Blackgate inmates to create an unstoppable army, he plans to dump the waste product into Gotham's water supply, which could have disastrous effects on the city. This also has the side effect of causing Poison Ivy's plants to mutate and take over the island.
Batman, after defeating several of his archenemies, is able to return to the Batcave to create an antidote to Titan, and uses it to destroy the mutated plant life and put a stop to Joker's army. With all of his henchmen defeated, the Joker invites Batman to his "party", where Batman sees Joker holding and manipulating Scarface and sitting upon a throne of mannequins. Joker then reveals that he has recaptured Gordon and attempts to shoot Gordon with a Titan-filled dart. Batman jumps in front of it, taking the injection himself. With Batman attempting to resist the change, Joker feels defeated. He shoots himself with the Titan gun and becomes a massive monster. Joker proudly displays himself to news choppers before Batman defeats him in a final battle. As he transforms back to normal and is taken back to his cell, the staff regains control of the asylum. Batman then hears that Two-Face is robbing the Second National Bank of Gotham. Batman summons the Batwing, and flies away towards Gotham. Following the credits a box stamped with the word Titan is seen floating in the water, upon which a hand (that randomly alternates between Scarecrow, Killer Croc, and Bane) rises from the water and grabs the box.
Characters
Batman[13], along with allies Oracle[13] and Commissioner Gordon[13] appear in the game. In addition to the Joker, Harley Quinn, and Poison Ivy,[14] Batman encounters other foes. Batman is forced to defend himself from an enraged Bane,[15] sneak up on Mr. Zsasz before he can harm innocent guards and doctors,[16] battle his way through hallucinogen-induced nightmares brought about by the Scarecrow,[11][17][18] and silently collect samples from Ivy's plants located in Killer Croc's lair without disturbing Croc.[19] The Riddler does not appear in the game, but communicates to Batman to challenge him to find the hidden clues he has placed around the island.[13][20] Other Batman allies and enemies are presented in the game as character information that can be unlocked from finding the Riddler's clues, often by finding objects or areas based on that character such as a collection of umbrellas (representing The Penguin) or posters revolving around Two-Face.
Several voice actors reprise their roles from the DC Animated Universe TV shows. In particular, Batman is voiced by Kevin Conroy,[11] the Joker by Mark Hamill,[21] and Harley Quinn by Arleen Sorkin,[11] who voiced these parts in Batman: The Animated Series.
Development
The story was co-written by Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series, Detective Comics)[11] while Wildstorm crafted the appearances of the characters.[11] The game is based on the 70-year Batman franchise as a whole rather than being tied to any particular media adaptation. Arkham runs on Epic Games Unreal Engine 3.[23][24][25] The Windows version makes use of Microsoft's Windows Live service, allowing players to earn gamerscore, as well as the nVidia PhysX engine for improved physics.[4] In April 2009 ads began appearing in the PlayStation Network service advertising the ability to play as the Joker.[26] IGN later confirmed that the Joker would be available for the PS3 as a free download from PlayStation Store,[27] but would only be playable in the challenge maps.[27][28] PlayStation 3 players can unlock the Batcave Outpost personal apartment as well as Batman's suit, gadgets, and the Batmobile for use in the PlayStation Home online community.[29] A demo of the game was released on the PlayStation Store on August 6, 2009 and Xbox Live and PC on August 7.[30] According to the news ticker on the game's main menu screen, Rocksteady has announced that new free DLC will be available on September 17, 2009. [31] The first DLC is the 'Insane Night' Map Pack, which features the 'Totally Insane' FreeFlow Combat map and the 'Nocturnal Hunter' Predator map. The second free pack, 'Prey In The Darkness', was released on September 23, 2009, containing two more maps. The downloadablce content is only available for the PlayStation 3. [32]
A Collector's Edition has been released by GameStop.[33] The package features a 14 inch Batarang in the style of the game, a 50 page character journal, a bonus disc which includes interviews with voice actors, an exclusive Crime Alley challenge map, and a Batarang Box Set.[34] Additionally, an exclusive preorder challenge map from Gamestop was announced called Dem Bones. It places Batman under the influence of Scarecrow's 'fear toxin' causing him to hallucinate and all the enemies to be seen as skeletons. [35]
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