Welcome to the madhouse!
Batman needs no introduction, but let’s take a moment to give him one anyway. Emerging from the shadows in 1939, the Dark Knight swiftly became one of the most iconic superheroes in history. The world’s greatest detective has left his mark across every medium – comics, serials, films, animated series, and, of course, video games. While Superman’s gaming legacy remains super shit, Batman has enjoyed a far more successful run, with a few notable exceptions. The early video game adaptations, particularly those tied to Tim Burton’s Batman films, were solid, but they didn’t redefine the medium. On the other hand, the Schumacher-era games were so poorly executed, they’re almost forgotten in the annals of gaming history. Other adaptations throughout the years varied in quality, but none truly captured the essence of Gotham’s guardian. Then, in 2009, something changed. Rocksteady Studios entered the scene, and with Batman: Arkham Asylum, they unleashed a game that would forever alter the superhero gaming landscape. This wasn’t just another tie-in; it was a masterpiece that set a new standard for how video games could bring comic book heroes to life. The Dark Knight finally found a virtual home worthy of his legendary status.
Arkham Asylum is not an adaptation of a specific movie, book, or story arch. Rather, It’s based on the comic-mythos as a whole. Joker is captured (yet again) and is taken to the infamous titular asylum. Batman, ever so paranoid, senses something is amiss. Joker never goes down that easily. Joker is handed over to the authorities and breaks free. He then reveals his dastardly plan, have the inmates take over the facility. The most dangerous and deranged rogue gallery is unleashed and reeks absolute havoc. Batman must put a stop to the madness and regain control over the island before Joker can amass his army and reign hell on Gotham.
This isn’t just another run-of-the-mill superhero game. This is the first time you truly feel like Batman. Before this, most Batman titles were little more than beat-’em-ups with a Bat-symbol slapped on, but Arkham Asylum changed everything. Every aspect of the Dark Knight is brought to life – his combat prowess, detective instincts, stealth mastery, and, of course, his legendary utility belt. The game plays from a smooth third-person perspective, gliding as effortlessly as Batman’s cape. Combat is a masterpiece of simplicity: strike, stun, counter. The mechanics are easy to pick up but incredibly satisfying to master. String together enough blows, and you’ll be tossing thugs like ragdolls or leaving them crumpled on the floor with shattered limbs. But Batman is more than just fists and fury – his gadgets make the experience even richer. Batarangs, explosive gel, Batclaws, and more keep the action fresh, ensuring every encounter feels dynamic. Of course, brute force alone won’t cut it. Batman may be the world’s greatest detective, but he’s not bulletproof. That’s where stealth comes in. Stalking enemies from the shadows, perching atop gargoyles, and silently picking them off one by one is endlessly satisfying, turning the hunter-prey dynamic on its head. If there’s one major misstep, it’s the boss battles. Most of them amount to little more than oversized, steroid-fueled goons charging at you like mindless bulls, quickly becoming repetitive , while (Semi-Spoilers*) the final boss is just out right lousy. However, Poison Ivy delivers one of the best fights in any superhero game, while the Scarecrow nightmare sequences – though not traditional boss fights, are some of the game’s most memorable moments. Besides the main story, there is also a challenge mode. In this mode you are given a series of specific tasks. Action maps, where you fight waves of enemies, tooth and nail while ranking up the highest combo possible for more points or stealth where you take them out as quietly and quickly as possible for the best score. With Arkham Asylum, Batman finally gets the game he deserves. Brutal combat, thrilling stealth, and an arsenal of gadgets make this an unforgettable experience—one that truly lets you step into the boots of the Dark Knight.
Arkham is a bleak and horrific place where sanity has been left by the wayside. Gothic architecture, angelic statues, gargoyles, and various notes and voice diaries make this place feel so eerily alive. The Asylum is so masterfully designed it feels like a character in and of itself. Think about it. Arkham is a dreadful and horrific place housing the most sick and twisted criminals in all of Gotham, and the design reflects that. When you first enter, it’s very clear that the comfort for the inmates is an afterthought. It has an aurora of coldness and cruelty. The facility looks grimy and unclean like they aren’t even trying to put on a facade of normalcy. However, once you go into the belly of the beast, it becomes horrendously apparent this is a madhouse of unprecedented levels. The most dangerous and deranged inmates are locked away in dark, damp, dingy cells, while subjected to experimentation, neglect and torture. Killer Croc, one of Batman’s deadliest enemies is simply put in the sewers and fed raw meat. It almost feels like a straight up horror game at times. Speaking of which, the Scarecrow moments are some of the best. He uses his fear gas to twist your mind and turn this already nightmarish asylum into a full blown night terror. The scenery will twist and turn as reality is warped in this psychopath’s vision. In these scenarios, you must avoid his gaze and reach the bat signal to defeat him. My only complaint about them is they should have gone on longer with a little more variety in its gameplay. The soundtrack in this game is as masterful as it is badass. It really gets you pumped as you introduce your fist to a poor inmate’s face. Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy (RIP) give some of the best performances of their careers in this game. This is some of the best chemistry between a protagonist and antagonist in any game. It really drills home that these are bitter enemies who hate each other’s guts.
Arkham Asylum, while having a few hiccups, is nothing short of a masterpiece.. It’s aged very well and still holds up over 16 years later. Batman is one of the best and deserved one of the best, and Rocksteady gave us just that. This is not just one of the best superhero games ever, it’s one of the best games in general. This game would set the standards for superhero games to come. Spawning an epic franchise (minus that god awful Suicide Squad game) – see where it all started, where superhero games finally became mainstream triple A blockbusters. Suit up, toss a batarang, and make the Joker lose some more teeth.
And at the end of fear…
Fil
Verdict: 9/10
https://opencritic.com/game/15955/batman-arkham-trilogy-switch