GAMERS DECIDE - Arkham Asylum

Batman: Arkham Knight Review. Spoiler-Free.

jurbi039 — Tue, 23 Jun 2015 05:36:05 +0000

Protect the night.

Tim Schafer, the game designer behind Psychonauts and Brutal Legend, once said that video games are “wish fulfillments”. This entails that the key to a successful game is one that follows characters whom players wish to be.

The latest game from Rocksteady—Batman: Arkham Knight—offers gamers the chance to once again become Batman, a noble vigilante traumatized by violence. As one of the world’s most idolized characters, the Dark Knight is a surefire asset for a product. As the third installment of Rocksteady's Batman series (after Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City), there is pressure in delivering a video game that tops its predecessors.

It is a relief to admit that Batman: Arkham Knight is indeed an unforgettable experience. Batman's mythos and universe are too unique to elude greatness. This game masters environment, gameplay, combat, villains, allies, and story beyond expectations in a video game.

Environment

Dirty streets. No place like home.

Read a book or watch a movie. The audience realizes the setting has got to be as interesting as the main character is. The level of set design in Batman: Arkham Knight goes beyond comprehension. Gotham City is expanded five times its previous incarnation in Arkham City. Arkham Knight introduces three major districts: Magani Island, Founder's Island and Bleake Island.

Each city area is given meticulous detail and personality. Various buildings evoke imagery of gothic, industrial, sci-fi, and noir all in one. Players will not visit the same place twice as they patrol the streets of Gotham. The city is not exempt from having its own Chinatown district, either. An environment with this much depth wouldn't be possible without the evolution of the next-generation console.

The designers of Arkham Knight have employed all technical resources in Gotham's creation. Gamers will find a city-wide war zone only the Batman can take control of. Gotham's filthy alleys will inspire Players to clean up crime. Architecture at its finest.

Gameplay

The world's most dangerous, non-lethal man.

Batman is a hero like no other. Superpowers don't suit a fighter like him. The Dark Knight relies on his own intelligence, strategy, and technology to gain the upper hand. Batman: Arkham Knight offers the player an array of tools and abilities used to survive Gotham City. Most of the gadgets in Batman's utility belt are comebacks from previous Arkham games. For instance, the Batarangs, gas bombs, detonators, and grapple gun. However, the latest game installment includes devices of deception. One of Batman's new tricks is masking his voice to fool enemies and guards. The player, in a sense, manipulates how the enemy behaves in order to open an attack or sneak inside a location. Other tools will surprise the player, but there is the satisfaction in using them for any situation.

For the Dark Knight, the sky is the limit. The player can soar across Gotham City in greater distances than established in previous Arkham games. Grappling from building to building is still seamless and efficient for quick movement. Gears are shifted with Batman's ability to dive into a group of enemies. Above-ground movement is an endless playground which empowers the player.

The Batmobile is a powerful but faulty aspect.

One of the most hyped features of Arkham Knight is the addition of the Batmobile. For the first time in the series, players are finally able to control Batman's signature vehicle.

This monstrous, tank-like car is equipped with 'non-lethal' artillery that clears out enemies, drones, and other vehicles. The Batmobile's most impressive aspect is reliability. The simple press of a button summons the car to the player's exact location. This comes especially in handy when found in a tight spot against opponents. Once the Batmobile is called, Batman jumps inside with cinematic precision.

Press the button again and the Dark Knight is ejected into the night sky. The transitions between foot, wheels, and air are seamless and stunning. Driving the Batmobile is an alternative to simply gliding over Gotham. Both methods of transportation are effective. It is at the player's discretion to determine which way to travel is the best.

But the Batmobile is not perfect. Maneuverability becomes an issue. At first, the controls are easy enough to steer. But this is taken for granted until later levels. Game difficulty increases, exposing the faults in maneuvering the vehicle. The Batmobile does have the cool feature of scaling buildings and walls. But, at times, the Batmobile feels more of a nuisance than an asset. Certain story events must be completed with the vehicle, which isn't as easy as it sounds.

The Batmobile is a beautiful creation for Arkham Knight, but it lacks steadiness. It also tends to be an annoyance when required for certain 'side-quests'. All in all, giving players access to the Batmobile was a risky but satisfying investment for the game developers.

Combat

Playing gets old. Bruising faces doesn't.

Batman: Arkham Knight offers simple but satisfying combat that delivers the enemy some mean beatings. 'Fear Takedown' enables the player to ambush enemies from the best vantage points. An improvement over the combat of previous Arkham titles is longer reaction time to incoming enemy blows. Even newcomers to this game will learn simple fighting combinations that are executed in cinematic wonder. No matter the camera angle, a fight always looks good in Arkham Knight.

Combos are encouraged to build skill points and satisfy side-quest challenges. The number of chained blows Batman can deliver is seemingly limitless. This makes beating bad guys all the more rewarding. The newest combat feature is the ability to use the environment against an enemy. The player, for instance, can smash an opponent's head into an electrical panel, as shown below:

No mercy tonight.

The player will expose Batman's endless knowledge of martial arts with only two or three buttons. The easy-to-learn fighting controls have always been a positive in the Arkham series. Arkham Knight rewards players with familiar and newer combat moves. They all earn Batman the best titles once can find in professional fighting.

Villains

"Gotham. This is your only warning. Abandon this city, or I will unleash your greatest fears."

Monsters are real. And Gotham City is the cesspool in which lunatics rise from. Batman: Arkham Knight retrieves villains, previously fought by Batman, with sicker designs and vendettas. The Scarecrow (pictured above) serves as the story's main antagonist. He holds Gotham hostage under the threat of fear-gassing the city. The Scarecrow declares victory over Batman, which the Dark Knight plans on disproving.

Previous Arkham games were hurt by the cut-and-dry boss battles that ruined story pacing. Arkham Knight, on the other hand, almost completely eliminates boss battles. Instead, the focus is placed on neutralizing grouped enemy targets and solving difficult challenges. That doesn't remove the main villains' threatening demeanors, though. Each villain still offers mental and emotional challenges for the player. Not one of them can be underestimated.

The Arkham Knight vs. The Dark Knight

Other villains join the Scarecrow's venture to destroy Batman and Gotham City (follow link for Arkham Knight villains list). Harley Quinn, The Penguin, Two-Face, The Riddler, and others vow to make the Dark Knight's mission a living hell. Surprise villains make an appearance with unique takedowns Batman must learn on each of them. The newest villain, Arkham Knight (shown above), hates Batman more than anyone else does. He is a sort of 'Anti-Batman' and a militarized version of the Dark Knight. Arkham Knight's true identity will come as a shock to 'Batfans' and comic book readers. His tension with Batman are plus points for the game's storyline.

Riddler Challenges are back.

Ever since Batman: Arkham Asylum, the Riddler has set challenges for players. They must search the entire map for Riddler Trophies, scan-able riddles, and the occasional deathtrap & hostage. Not only have Riddler Challenges returned for Arkham Knight, but they now incorporate the Batmobile and co-op mode with Batman and his allies. These side-quests become much more interesting with higher stakes. Arkham Knight contains a reported 243 Riddler Trophies to find all throughout the city. In this game, the most significant incentive in completing every Riddler Challenge is unlocking the 'true' story ending. Players familiar with previous Arkham titles know how time-consuming but worthwhile finishing Riddler Challenges is. They act as a story on top of a story.

Allies

'Dual Play' switches allies between Catwoman, Nightwing, and Robin.

Previous Arkham titles included Batman's allies as secondary DLC characters with respective challenge maps and story modes. In Arkham Knight, however, these characters are now featured in the main story in a combat capacity. The 'Dual Play' feature summons a playable ally to Batman's side at key moments in gameplay. Allies are also a necessity in completing certain Riddler Challenges and side-quests. Each character has a unique fighting style and capability. Players will be greatly rewarded for familiarizing themselves with Batman's allies.

Robin

Nightwing

Catwoman

Azrael

Red Hood. A DLC add-on character with his own challenge maps.

Story

Terrific voice acting. Superb writing. Unforgettable moments.

Batman: Arkham Knight has an incredibly significant place in Batman's timeline. Being the final Arkham title in Rocksteady's stead, this game offers a satisfying conclusion to the series. It is not often that a video game carries a plot with such weight on the player's mind. Arkham Knight's storyline is genuinely original and refreshing for not just the superhero genre of film, television, and gaming, but for all storytelling. The game's ending leaves behind unanswered questions, but it is compensated with both a plot twist and decent closure. The secret ending, unlocked by completing the Riddler Challenges, offers even more to the ending. Players will definitely find this rewarding.

Many familiar faces in coveted roles.

As always, the voice acting in the Arkham games is astounding. The one and only Kevin Conroy returns to the role of Batman. The impeccable supporting cast is comprised of Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul's Jonathan Banks as Commissioner James Gordon, Sleepy Hollow's John Noble as the Scarecrow, and Twilight's Ashley Greene as the Oracle. Even Mark Hamill, famous for his role as the Joker, makes a small comeback in this game in a surprise role.

The writing of Arkham Knight has the pace of a detective drama with the intensity of a summer blockbuster. There is never a dull moment in the storyline. Every character is engaging and significant, adding realism and likability to gameplay. Arkham Knight has the strongest story foundation of all the Arkham titles. More will be revealed to the player than is anticipated from game writing. Players will want to share what they've learned as soon as the game ends. And Batman: Arkham Knight is certainly worth spreading the word around for.

The Verdict

Batman: Arkham Knight excels in storytelling, combat, and visuals. However, maneuverability of the Batmobile and lengthy side-quests leave a bitter taste. And because of the time-consuming story and challenges, there is little to no replay value. Even downloadable content is superfluous since the main story is already rich with activity. Nonetheless, the game is unbelievably wholesome and satisfying.

A critical aspect in choosing a game to play is relatability. Will a newcomer enjoy the third entry in a series as much as a gamer who has played from the very beginning? In the case of Arkham Knight, yes. If players wished, they could bypass the previous Arkham titles and jump straight to the latest title. Story exposition and controls instruction are provided in a cohesive and understandable manner. In other words, Batman: Arkham Knight acts as an excellent standalone game.

Fans of superhero and detective genres will feel the most rewarded after playing this game. Arkham Knight shines a flattering light on the figure known as Batman. The ending to the Arkham series is a great one to bestow on the Dark Knight and on the player. Those who have played from the beginning of the series will be pleased. Stories and characters come full circle by the end of Arkham Knight. Combat and gameplay evolve yet stay familiar. Rocksteady has delivered a milestone in gaming. Next-generation console players will feel honored by this game as one of the early masterpieces for Xbox One and PS4.

Batman: Arkham Knight will be talked about for years. It will be celebrated not just as a game, but also as the conclusion of a stunning series. The Arkham name has pleased gamers for the past six years. The latest installment, released on June 23, 2015, will not disappoint.

9/10

Video of FX1uGqXD2n8

Main Image caption:

It isn't enough to be Batman anymore. Your friends and enemies must feel it, too.

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Batman: Arkham Knight Villains Revealed. Get To Know All 9 of Them

jurbi039 — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 22:46:24 +0000

Who is Your Favorite Batman: Arkham Knight Villain?

DC Comics is known for its memorable bad guys. Lex Luthor challenges Superman in Metropolis. Black Manta terrorizes Aquaman in Atlantis. However, no villains list can ever top that of Batman's. Thanks to pop culture media, Batman villains have become just as famous and adored as the Dark Knight they fight on a nightly basis.

The Joker, Harley Quinn, The Riddler, Two-Face, The Penguin, Catwoman. Each name brings to mind the set of gimmicks and idiosyncrasies that add depth to each character's personality. Since 2009, with the release of the first installment of the Arkham game series, Batman villains have taken on a twisted version of themselves.

They now resemble real-life terrorists, serial killers, gangsters, and vigilantes. Since the Batman universe welcomes darkness, this evolution in villainy only seems natural. And the fans continue asking for more from their favorite Batman villains.

On June 23, gamers will finally have the opportunity to play the long-awaited Batman: Arkham Knight. Announced as the final installment of the series, this game will feature Batman villains at their finest and deadliest. Led by the Scarecrow (known as the Master of Fear), you know to expect the worst from these characters. Before gamers buy Arkham Knight, they should get to know the nine confirmed villains set to appear.

1) The Scarecrow

"No where to run. No where to hide. You're all alone."

The Scarecrow (aka Dr. Jonathan Crane) experimented with fear through unethical human testing. After donning a mask and fear toxins, The Scarecrow brought his reign of terror to the city of Gotham. His toxins expose the subject's deepest fears into terrifying hallucinations. Fear is something the Scarecrow and Batman share in common. Batman preys on the fear of criminals while the Scarecrow weaponizes fear against all in his way.

The Scarecrow serves as the main antagonist of Batman: Arkham Knight. He organizes Batman's deadliest enemies together as he holds Gotham City hostage under the threat of gassing every citizen with fear toxins. The Scarecrow's first appearance was in Batman: Arkham Asylum (the first game installment) as a boss in control of Batman's nightmarish visions. Arkham Knight marks the Scarecrow's second major appearance in the game franchise.

The Scarecrow seems better prepared for the Dark Knight this time. Even his costume redesign will induce nightmares.

2) Harley Quinn (aka Dr. Harleen Quinzel)

Add-on playable character available for pre-order.

Harley Quinn (aka Dr. Harleen Quinzel)was once a criminal psychologist until she fell in love with an inmate of Arkham Asylum. That inmate just so happened to be the most murderous and deprived monster of Gotham City: The Joker.

They escaped together and began a love crime-spree against Batman's crusade of justice. Harley Quinn is one of the most loved characters in comic books. Her childish but deadly personality proves to be a match for all who stand in her way--including Batman. Harley has been made famous by Batman: The Animated Series, the Suicide Squad comics, and the Arkham game series.

Harley Quinn is availabe for pre-order as an add-on playable character. She will have her own challenge maps, harlequin-themed weapons, gadgets, and abilities. The star add-on player of the previous game (Batman: Arkham Origins) was Deathstroke. Harley Quinn is one of the few characters to have appeared in all four Arkham games. Gamers will finally embrace Harley from her perspective.

3) Poison Ivy (aka Dr. Pamela Isley)

"Scarecrow said he had a plan. That altogether, we could take you out."

Poison Ivy (aka Dr. Pamela Isley) has an obsession with plants. Her second passion is in erasing mankind from the planet so Mother Nature can prosper.

Poison Ivy was once a renowned botanist until a laboratory accident transformed her. She terrorizes Gotham through manipulation of poisons, man-eating plants, and pheromones. With a single kiss on the lips, the toxins on Ivy's body will either kill the victim or transform them into mindless servants to do her bidding. Poison Ivy has been a formidable opponent for gamers in two previous Arkham games.

Batman took her down in Arkham Asylum, and Catwoman survives Ivy's traps in Arkham City. On June 23, Batman: Arkham Knight will mark Poison Ivy's third appearance in the franchise. Remember to stay away from the flowers.

4) Firefly (aka Garfield Lynns)

Lighting up Gotham one explosion at a time.

Firefly (aka Garfield Lynns) once worked for the military as a pyrotechnics expert. His obsession with fire led to a freak accident, burning 90% of Lynns's body. Now working as Firefly, this pyromaniac will not rest until all of Gotham is set ablaze with his 'passion'. Firefly flies around in a winged jetpack stolen from the military and wields a flamethrower that is the antithesis of Mr. Freeze's cold gun.

Firefly was one of the eight assassin's contracted by Black Mask to hunt and kill Batman in the previous game installment (Arkham Origins). Firefly is set to make his second appearance in the franchise on June 23 with the release of Arkham Knight. Though Firefly is a lesser-known villain to casual Batfans, his Arkham incarnation will challenge gamers.

5) The Penguin (aka Oswald Cobblepot)

A powerful crime lord in Gotham City.

The Penguin (aka Oswald Cobblepot) is one of the top crime bosses in the Gotham underword. Unlike other Batman villains with colorful motives, the Penguin has two simple priorities: business and respect. Oswald Cobblepot was born with physical deformities that earned him the nickname "Penguin".

He quickly rose to the top of the Gotham crime world, becoming one of the most feared bosses in the city.The Penguin's hideout is the Iceberg Lounge, which holds his collection of priceless artifacts and animal exhibits. He even displays his enemies behind glass like carnival freaks. The Penguin is even choosy with whom he employs, forcing candidates to fight each other to the death for a job opportunity.

Batman: Arkham Knight welcomes the Penguin's third appearance in the game franchise.

6) The Riddler (aka Edward Nigma)

Obsession with the mind and intellectual superiority.

The Riddler (aka Edward Nigma) is a criminal like no other. His penchant for riddles comes from one desire: to prove that the Riddler is the top brain in Gotham City. The Riddler's modus operandi isn't simply riddles and puzzles. He places hostages into deathtraps that Batman is forced to find and solve before it's 'game over'.

The Riddler's capabilities go further when he employs spies to infiltrate the other villains' gangs. The Riddler has eyes and ears all over Gotham. He will not stop until he has outsmarted Batman, whom the Riddler considers his intellectual match. The Riddler is one of the few villains to have appeared in every Arkham game thus far. 'Riddler Trophies' have become a staple of these games, which Batman must find in order to complete the 'Riddler Challenges'.

The Riddler will also be featured as the main antagonist of the novelized prequel: Batman: Arkham Knight - The Riddler's Gambit, now available for pre-order. On June 23, Batman: Arkham Knight will reveal what the Riddler has next in store.

7) Two-Face (aka D.A. Harvey Dent)

Only chance can save you now.

Two-Face (aka D.A. Harvey Dent) was once all Gotham could've asked for: an unmasked servant of justice who would wipe crime off the streets. But Dent was scarred by one of the very criminals he tried putting away. Acid was thrown on Dent's face, snapping his mind in the process. Harvey Dent became the criminal mastermind known as 'Two-Face'.

Obsessed with duality, Two-Face flips a coin to make life-and-death decisions. He is challenging for Batman due to the fact that Dent used to be a great ally. But Batman understands that it is Two-Face who is the true enemy--both of Gotham and of Harvey Dent. Batman: Arkham Knight marks Two-Face's second appearance in the game series. In a great act of continuity, the scratches on his face (left by Catwoman in Arkham City) still remain.

8) The Joker

Is he really dead?

The fate of Batman's deadliest enemy seems sealed (from the events of Arkham City). But is the Joker truly gone? The latest trailer, courtesy of E3, reveals the Joker's body being cremated. Yet the Clown Prince of Crime is known for deception. Things are never as easy as they seem with the Joker. Batman knows that better than anyone.

It is unclear if the Joker will be resurrected in Arkham Knight, but his persona will definitely play a part. Especially with the inclusion of Harley Quinn, his dearly beloved. Is the Joker back? Fasten your seatbelts, though, gamers. On June 23, you may just get your answer.

9) Arkham Knight

"You're predictable. And that's why we're gonna win."

The final villain of the list. The titular antagonist's identity is unknown. The Arkham Knight was created specifically for the game. He can be interpreted as the 'Anti-Batman'.

Arkham Knight's methods run rampantly opposite to Batman's. He is the militarized version of the Dark Knight. Arkham Knight kills enemies without mercy and views Batman as 'weak'. His intense hatred for the Dark Knight will serve as the game's main conflict. Arkham Knight gladly works with the Scarecrow if it means destroying Batman. Fans speculate his true identity. But on June 23, they may get their answer. Who is he? And what is his personal vendetta against Batman?

Batman: Arkham Knight promises a deadly lot of super-criminals. Batman faces his greatest challenge as Gotham is at the mercy of mad geniuses. The official "Gotham Is Mine" trailer below lists each Batman villain quite nicely.

Gamers should prepare for challenging bosses, puzzles, and patience. On June 23, the game releases. Memorize these Batman: Arkham Knight villains. You'll be grateful you did.

Video of ad6rNuvYCdo

Main Image caption:

The streets of Gotham City are darker.

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