I got Batman: Arkham City for Xmas. And it’s not that it’s taken me ages to play it, it’s just taken me a while to getting around to posting about it. (And, for the record, I wrote this post once already and then it just disappeared, which I certainly haven’t at all found annoying in the slightest!
Breathe.
The first Batman: Arkham Asylum was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t quite get overwhelmed with gushing praise for it like much of the gaming press seemed to. It came out around the same time as Uncharted 2 and, for me, there was no question which was the better game. And curiously, this game has come out around the same time as Uncharted 3. Arguably, it’s Batman: Arkham City that has made more progression than its predecessor between the two, though quite how much more there is I have yet to uncover.
I am up to the point where I am tracking down the Penguin in order to free Mr. Freeze. There’s a fairly convoluted plot but basically Batman has been injected with a poison and needs an antidote. The Joker also needs the same antidote, too. Following the events of the previous game he appears to have been left reeling, weakened, but he still seems to be quite a presence in the game.
I still find it hard to believe that it’s Luke Skywalker doing the voice!
I was a bit confused at the start of the game, to be honest. There was a rapid assault of exposition and there I was as Bruce Wayne, imprisoned! It was a disorientating beginning, for sure, but I kind of liked it. Preferred when I got back in the suit, mind, and began the game properly.
The major difference here is the more open world of Arkham City compared to the closed off corridors of Arkham Asylum. The main narrative is still linear (not a complaint) but there is a constant bombardment of side missions opening up – from ringing telephones to political prisoners being harassed – that certainly keep things busy (and also make journeying across the city littered with incidents to keep it engaging).
The Riddler trophies have become more advanced this time out, too. It’s not just about finding them anymore, it’s also about solving puzzles around them to do with trigger switches and pressure pads and who knows what else. Initial feelings about them were that I wasn’t keen, but maybe that’s because they’re just so many of them it felt like an overwhelming challenge. (It’ll be a nightmare to try and get them all even with youtube or a guide helping since they’re so many and so scattered!)
The real pleasure of the previous Batman game, for me, was actually delving into the history of the character and the world, and also meeting the characters. The game does a terrific job of depicting these famous, and not so famous, villains. I’ve met Two-Face first up, and Riddler was viewed for the first time (though I’ve not met him in person). Batman really does have a rich mix of characters in its world and since I’m pretty ignorant to all of it besides what’s been put on film then it’s all new and interesting for me.
I downloaded the Catwoman DLC before I started the game, so that her sections would be interspersed throughout my game. She’s not quite as easy to control as Batman, though her ceiling climbing skills add a new dimension to exploration and combat. So far with her I’ve tackled Poison Ivy but not done much else. So far her sections are a nice diversion but not particularly fascinating.
First impressions are certainly that this game pretty much expects players to have experienced the original, not just because the story follows on but also because there’s a lot less of a learning curve. It’s not that you’re totally thrown in at the deep end, but it doesn’t take long before you’re being attacked by multiple foes, or faced with using whatever stealth tactics you can imagine, as well as having a decent set of Bat-equipment at your disposal from the beginning. It definitely looks to be a far superior game, though – and considering the first was pretty awesome then that’s nothing but super fine goodness!
Breathe.
The first Batman: Arkham Asylum was a pleasant surprise. I didn’t quite get overwhelmed with gushing praise for it like much of the gaming press seemed to. It came out around the same time as Uncharted 2 and, for me, there was no question which was the better game. And curiously, this game has come out around the same time as Uncharted 3. Arguably, it’s Batman: Arkham City that has made more progression than its predecessor between the two, though quite how much more there is I have yet to uncover.
I am up to the point where I am tracking down the Penguin in order to free Mr. Freeze. There’s a fairly convoluted plot but basically Batman has been injected with a poison and needs an antidote. The Joker also needs the same antidote, too. Following the events of the previous game he appears to have been left reeling, weakened, but he still seems to be quite a presence in the game.
I still find it hard to believe that it’s Luke Skywalker doing the voice!
I was a bit confused at the start of the game, to be honest. There was a rapid assault of exposition and there I was as Bruce Wayne, imprisoned! It was a disorientating beginning, for sure, but I kind of liked it. Preferred when I got back in the suit, mind, and began the game properly.
The major difference here is the more open world of Arkham City compared to the closed off corridors of Arkham Asylum. The main narrative is still linear (not a complaint) but there is a constant bombardment of side missions opening up – from ringing telephones to political prisoners being harassed – that certainly keep things busy (and also make journeying across the city littered with incidents to keep it engaging).
The Riddler trophies have become more advanced this time out, too. It’s not just about finding them anymore, it’s also about solving puzzles around them to do with trigger switches and pressure pads and who knows what else. Initial feelings about them were that I wasn’t keen, but maybe that’s because they’re just so many of them it felt like an overwhelming challenge. (It’ll be a nightmare to try and get them all even with youtube or a guide helping since they’re so many and so scattered!)
The real pleasure of the previous Batman game, for me, was actually delving into the history of the character and the world, and also meeting the characters. The game does a terrific job of depicting these famous, and not so famous, villains. I’ve met Two-Face first up, and Riddler was viewed for the first time (though I’ve not met him in person). Batman really does have a rich mix of characters in its world and since I’m pretty ignorant to all of it besides what’s been put on film then it’s all new and interesting for me.
I downloaded the Catwoman DLC before I started the game, so that her sections would be interspersed throughout my game. She’s not quite as easy to control as Batman, though her ceiling climbing skills add a new dimension to exploration and combat. So far with her I’ve tackled Poison Ivy but not done much else. So far her sections are a nice diversion but not particularly fascinating.
First impressions are certainly that this game pretty much expects players to have experienced the original, not just because the story follows on but also because there’s a lot less of a learning curve. It’s not that you’re totally thrown in at the deep end, but it doesn’t take long before you’re being attacked by multiple foes, or faced with using whatever stealth tactics you can imagine, as well as having a decent set of Bat-equipment at your disposal from the beginning. It definitely looks to be a far superior game, though – and considering the first was pretty awesome then that’s nothing but super fine goodness!
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for leaving a comment. If you would like to add me as a Friend on PS3, my Username is: AngeloComet. Please notify me - either here or on PS3 - of your request so I know not to ignore!