Gamertell

Happy Batman day, readers! Yes, I’m officially declaring it so, as one of the very best Batman games ever to grace consoles (at least, based on my preliminary playtime) has launched today. Given the media blitz (videos and press releases out the wazoo!) and positive reviews, I think it’s going to be a hit - and rightfully so.

Let’s start at the logical beginning. I got home from work today to find my brand spanking new copy waiting for me. After a brief moment of checking out the box art, I tore right in and popped the disc into my 360. The game begins with a ridiculously kick-ass cutscene/sequence, wherein you (as Batman) drag the Joker back to Arkham Asylum, where, of course, all hell begins to break loose.

Once you’re given full control, you get to roam the halls of the spooky joint, cracking fools heads and sneaking around, detective-style. Both gameplay modes (combat and exploration/detective mode) work beautifully and are seamlessly integrated into the gameplay. The result is excellent - you feel like a brawler and a stealthy genius, two flavors that combine beautifully.

The graphics and overall art direction are stellar - more than once, I caught a whiff of BioShock (the Asylum is creepy, dark, and chock full of atmosphere). The place itself is labyrinthine and spectacular - and all manner of chaos is going down at any moment, keeping the pacing and action quick and well-balanced.

Be sure to check back for a full review - but my initial impressions (after about an hour and a half of gameplay) are incredibly positive. This one looks to be the Batman simulator we’ve always wanted.

Site [Batman Arkham Asylum]