Batman: Arkham Asylum Preview

For fans of Batman there are dozens of references to old comics and graphic novels thanks to writer Paul Dini's extensive Bat-knowledge, and for third-person action gamers, Batman: Arkham Asylum plays like a dream with a simple to use free-flow combat system and Batman's slick gadgetry just a single button press away.

 

 

A quick overview of the story puts Batman on lock down in Arkham Asylum, Gotham City's prison for the criminally insane, as the Joker and his crew of misfits run Batman through the madhouse gauntlet. The game takes place entirely on the Arkham estates as far as I know, primarily in the prison, and begins with a lengthy, playable intro of Batman and security escorting the Joker deep into Arkham Asylum. The Joker breaks loose and Batman takes chase.

 

When in combat, Batman can combine light and heavy attacks to perform various combos a la Kratos's attacks in God of War, in addition to a counter-attack system that alerts Batman of preemptive attacks. An enemy is going to attack when an icon pops up above his head.

 

 

As for the "Invisible predator" play style, Batman is a stealthy crime fighter that uses shadows and high elevations to stay undetected from his enemies. When Batman takes out an enemy by hanging upside down from a gargoyle, he leaves them hanging unconscious by a rope. If you swing to another gargoyle you can target that rope with Batman's Baterang and cut the enemy loose, who will fall to his demise.

 

 

Batman: Arkham Asylum is only a month away, and the combat is a brutal treat in itself, reminding me of favorite brawlers such as Watchmen: The End is Nigh and God of War.