Like many bloggers, I have an opinion. Not only that, I have an opinion on video games and I want my opinions to be known to a large audience. Why? I want to contribute like all the other women (and men) out there who want to talk about video games without having to pander to a target audience. And that's why my first game-specific post is going to be about Batman: Arkham Asylum: because it is awesome.
After all, he is the goddamn Batman*.
~*Spoilers Inbound*~
Before B:AA came out and there were only stills and clips floating about, we all knew it was going to be great. The design, the style, the writing, the voice acting; it not only guaranteed a great game but it delivered. This is rare.
First, you have Paul Dini writing the story for the game. This guy is a Writing God, having created some of my favourite cartoons growing up such as Animaniacs, Freakazoid, Tiny Toon Adventures and, yes, Batman: The Animated Series. Those are just the shows that I watched, there are so many more under his belt that it is staggering as well as impressive**.
Second, the design and style of the game, which also creates the mood. This game is not only dark and moody (just the way I like my Batman), but it's highly detailed. Each section and building of Arkham Island is unique and has a varying number of textures, backgrounds, and layouts; no 'level' is the same. Sure, the thugs may get repetitive after a while and many resemble each other, but that's forgivable given how everything else has been refined.
Although it's easy to spend most of the game in Detective Mode- a blue film filtering the colours and also allowing you to pick up hidden Riddler Trophies and other secrets- the colours are still vibrant despite the overall dark look to everything.
The third, but not least, best thing about this game is the voice acting. It's a blast from the past with the original voices of Batman: The Animated Series doing their respective character voices, giving it that much more credibility. Mark Hamill may be a good actor but he's an even better Joker. He simply embodies the personality and insanity of the character perfectly, and coupled with Arleen Sorkin as bouncy and equally-as-crazy Harley Quinn (neé Harleen Quinzel) it is just perfect. It just seems right that they should do their characters from the original animated series, and many fans heaved a sigh of relief when they learned stiff voice acting was not going to be a problem.
As for the role of Batman, Kevin Conroy does it effortlessly. Everything just fits together so well with the familiar and disapproving Batman voice me and my fellows have become familiar with. It's not whiny and angsty like in Batman Beyond, and it's also not gruff and growly as in Christopher Nolan's Batman movies. It's like Baby Bear's porridge- it's just right.
As for the other voice actors, they do a terrific job and I'd like to give huge props to Dino Andrade for the voice of the Scarecrow. Even without the filters to make him sound more creepy, Dino really oozes the depravity of the Scarecrow and his sadistic nature.
My only nitpick with the game is Poison Ivy. Her voice actress is great, but the way she moans in pain sounds more like she's having multiple orgasms than enduring something excruciating. It can get a little disturbing during your fight with her as well as distracting, making you think on occasion whether you're actually hurting her or pleasuring her. Either way, it seems to weaken her so I guess it doesn't matter. Still, I don't really want orgasmic noises coming from my Batman game, it doesn't really fit the mood. So if you could, Ms Isley, next time I see you I'd like less orgasms and more dying, please. Thanks.
Although I haven't completed the storyline yet I have seen its end and it's a bit anti-climactic. But eh- whatcha gonna do? The rest of the game is entertaining enough to make up for that, plus there's an obvious open ending to make way for a sequel of sorts, so perhaps they will work on making a better ending for the next game.
At the moment I am diligently working on collecting all of Riddler's trophies and maps and solving his riddles, finding all of the Arkham Chronicles, and destroying Joker's toy teeth. It's not as arduous as it may be in other games; it's actually fun and a little challenging trying to find these hidden gems, being able to re-visit 'levels' (actually buildings found on the island that make up different parts of the asylum itself, ie: penitentiary, intensive treatment, medical facility, botanical gardens, etc) once you gain a new gadget, and having the time to appreciate all the little details now that you don't have random thugs to worry about.
Other game items worth mentioning: Free DLC as well as challenges that are unlocked through gameplay, character trophies that let you look closer at the characters of the game, and the scattered interview tapes of AA patients (and doctors) that gives you a deeper grasp of each character's personality.
Final Verdict: This is a comics(and television)-based video game done right. The lack of a significant amount of glitches really influences the enjoyment of the game- I would give it 5 out of 5 if I had an actual rating system.
*comic panel from http://sneezingweaselheat.blogspot.com
*Paul Dini wiki page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Dini
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