For the most part, its safe to say that many comic based games are mediocre. Not exactly bad, but not exactly stellar either. But for some reason, the gaming community continues to get sucked in to these comic based games in hopes of finally getting the chance to truly feel what it is like to be their favorite super hero. Over the years, like many people I have been mislead down the path of comic gaming. With many hours, and money wasted on repetitive and unimaginative game play I was skeptical when I first heard of a new Batman game being released for the 360 and Ps3 platforms. As time went on, and the release date of Batman: Arkham Asylum came closer and closer a legitimate sense of excitement started to swirl around the Dark Knight. There was something different about this comic game. It looked graphically impressive, had a dark and eerie setting fitting of a Batman adventure, and the Joker causing mass havoc with the help of many other infamous Batman baddies. Despite my history with comic games, there was no possible way I was going to pass up playing Arkham Asylum, and you know what happened? The game turned out to be outstanding.

     Similar to the reboot of the Batman movie franchise, Arkham Asylum is the rebirth of the Dark Knight into the gaming universe. Filled with twisted, and mature themes Arkham Asylum is a gritty game developed for an older audience. Batman: Arkham Asylum begins with the Dark Knight speeding through Gotham streets in the Bat-mobile shortly after apprehending the Joker who is babbling insanely in his incapacitated state. After arriving at Arkham, Batman escorts the security team as they bring the Joker deeper into the heart of the facility. Before you know it, all hell breaks lose when the Joker is freed and all of the psychopaths held in Arkham are liberated. With control of Arkham in the Joker's hands, its up to Batman to put an end to the violent and deadly uprising...and believe me it is deadly. Unlike all previous Batman games, Arkham Asylum is filled with horrific murders, foul language, and a sense of danger that has never been captured in a comic game before.

     Being that Batman is greatly outnumbered, he has to use all of his skills if he has any chance of surviving and putting an end to the Joker's reign of terror. To do this, Batman must rely on stealth, the usual array of nifty gadgets, and of course putting the beat down with hand to hand combat. The combat mechanics work together flawlessly to finally allows players to feel what its like to be in control of the Dark Knight himself. Utilizing stealth is rewarding, as the player can skillfully take out all of the patrolling guards one by one, freaking out the remaining thugs left conscious as they begin to wonder if they're going to be next. Stealth is made easier by using Batman's Detective Mode which allows the Dark Knight to see through walls and locate enemies around his surroundings. This will let less confident players get a better jump on their enemy, and allow them to better plot out where the best place to set up an ambush might be. The detective mode is also used to help solve the Riddler's puzzles that are hidden throughout all the maps. These puzzles unlock numerous different game modes in Arkham Asylum's challenge mode, and the puzzles actually fun to figure out. Being Batman is a master of unarmed combat, fighting hand to hand has its own distinct feel and rhythm to it. Arkham Asylum eases players into the combat by starting the game with unarmed thugs, and progressing into armed and more aggressive opponents. This allows the player to get a good feel of fighting in the game, and before you know it, you will be able to string together seamless attacks against multiple armed and unarmed thugs for a truly cinematic in game experience which is highly addictive.

     It's no secret that no matter how great game play is, a game is nothing without equally great story. As I mentioned earlier, Batman Arkham Asylum is a much darker telling of a Batman adventure and is geared towards mature audiences. Although Batman Arkham Asylum's story is highly entertaining with great moments that won't be forgotten, there are just as many moments Bat-fans will see coming. Luckily, all of those moments are cast into the shadows as the story flows well and is mixed with unforgettable voice work. Anyone who grew up in the 1990s will surely remember the hit, Batman the animated series. For Batman Arkham Asylum, Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill have reprised their rolls from that series as Batman (Conroy) and the Joker (Hamill). For many people, these are the true voices of Batman and the Joker, and didn't disappoint with their outstanding work in Arkham Asylum. They deliver top notch performances, especially Hamill's rendition of the Joker. I can say with absolute certainty, if either Conroy of Hamill wasn't involved in Arkham Asylum, the game just wouldn't have been the same level of greatness it turned out to be.

     Arkham Asylum was a huge step for comic gaming, and with out a doubt the best comic based game ever created. With its entertaining game play, and outstanding voice work Batman Arkham Asylum was easily a contender for the coveted title of Game of the Year for 2009. It doesn't matter if you have a Ps3, or an Xbox 360, Arkham Asylum definitely needs to be part of your game collection.

Written by: RB.

Over and Out

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