Batman Arkham Asylum is the game that started it all and spawned a series of sequels that are unparalleled in how epic they are. Batman has always been a popular superhero fighting crime as just a man, with no superpowers just his wit, body, and will to save the day and a mind unlike any other.
So popular that there is a college offering a course in all the things Bruce Wayne studied to become Batman and fight crime as the masked Vigilante.
Now onto the review, Batman Arkham Asylum is the title that like I said started it all, it starts off just like you would expect Batman to bring the Joker into Arkham for treatment after he escaped. But what he soon realizes is that the Joker set a series of events into motion that will have our beloved Dark Knight fighting for him and Gotham’s life throughout the entire island.
In terms of the open world the game is lacking in that department, it’s a big map and a lot of small areas where you can explore and adventure into and solve various Riddler-related puzzles scattered about. In terms of exploring Gotham city, it is not possible.
However, despite this, quite a few of the rogues from Batman’s gallery of enemies make an appearance such as Bane, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, Joker, Killer Croc, and Poison Ivy. So there is much to be said about the varying array of criminal masterminds to fight and bring to Justice.
One of the great enjoyable feats of the game is Mark Hamil reprising his role as the Clown Prince of Crime striking terror into the hearts of people everywhere in a role he was born to play. As well as Kevin Conroy reprising his role as Bruce Wayne / Batman. Growing up as a fan of Batman the two were a huge part of my childhood and even of others, they are those characters above everyone else.
But I digress the game itself has an excellent musical score which helps set the tone and the atmosphere for both the mix of detective work and combat. Although the combat is a little on the droll side of things forcing the player to simply button-mash two keys the entire time which in its own right is a good thing, it felt a little underwhelming when it came to fighting certain bosses and criminals in the game.
The story has a few low points as well but nothing that would take away from how it really enjoyed. It brings with it solid mechanics in its game controls, fluid storytelling, a great musical score, and voice acting which makes the game stand out as one of the best games ever created.
Its sustained the test of time, and even now with the Return to Arkham re-release the game has even more of a popular following than it started out with. I like to think game sales helped with that like on Steam where people could dive into the game title and become addicted like myself.
In conclusion, the game is amazing, it has a few issues which have been fixed since its initial release, and even gotten a graphical overhaul in Return to Arkham I suggest if you love superheroes such as Batman that you pick the game up when you get a chance.
You won’t regret it.
An autistic gamer with opinions on games who also enjoys making dumb videos on the internet!