Posts Tagged ‘Batman: Arkham Asylum’
By: Jon Christensen on September 13th, 2009 pm30 6:16 pm
The videogame industry never really developed a decent Batman game, before Arkham Asylum. It never really made sense to me either, the Dark Knight really should have been the perfect comic book character to star in a game. Think about it, he’s vulnerable but not only can he kick some ass, he has “wonderful toys” to do just that. But most distributers thought they could make a quick buck by throwing a title together in-hopes to trick gamers to think they really are playing a Batman game. Sure it had the name and even had pixels drawn that resembled Batman, but it certainly didn’t feel like him.
Thankfully Rocksteady Games had the rights to create a brand new Batman title, which told a brand new original story. When it was released on August 25th, it was met with enthusiastic reviews and many hailed it the greatest comic book videogame ever made. Now we get word that gamers ate up the title because it sold ridiculously well, even in the midst of a recession.
The L.A. Times is reporting that Batman: Arkham Asylum has sold nearly “two million units” since it launched last month. This is great news for videogames that are derived from previous licensed property. Batman isn’t the only pop-culture icon that didn’t get the gaming respect it deserved for so many year. Countless popular franchises and films generally are not considered good games and I think the casual gamer is finally starting to realize this, and not purchasing them. Hopefully publishers will start to understand this down the line. Maybe one day we’ll look back and see Batman: Arkham Asylum changed their business model — but I’m not holding my breath either.
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By: Jon Christensen on September 8th, 2009 am30 9:30 am
Since players got their hands on the full retail copy of Batman: Arkham Asylum last week, a ‘news ticker’ scrolled during the start screen promising some downloadable content. No one knew exactly what the developers, Rocksteady Games, had planned or when we would see this new content.
Joystiq noticed today that the same ticker actually changed and is now reading that the DLC is coming out in “9 days,” which falls on September 17th. Not only is it going to be released in a few days, apparently the text is suggesting the content will also be free, which should be welcoming to gamers.
Obviously everyone is wanting to know what we should expect when the content is released, but right now Rocksteady is being mum on the situation. I hoping by the end of the day, we’ll get more details.
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By: Jon Christensen on August 24th, 2009 pm31 2:12 pm
Tonight is a big night for Batman fans because what is the first true great Dark Knight game is about to be release. Stores around the country are going to have a midnight opening for Batman: Arkham Asylum for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. In conjunction with the release, Eidos has brought the Internet one last trailer for all of us to enjoy.
If you are somehow unsure if you should purchase the game, just do it. The game has the potential of easily being one of the best titles to come out in 2009. Also, if you own both systems, I personally endorse the PlayStation 3 version. Adding the Joker as a playable character on the PS3 is something I’m looking forward too.
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By: Jon Christensen on August 13th, 2009 pm31 1:31 pm
Eidos is giving PlayStation 3 owners a lot of love with their highly anticipated Batman: Arkham Asylum game. First we hear the Joker will be a playable character, which is exclusive for the PS3. Now, the publisher, along with Sony, have announced that customers who buy the Batman title for the PS3 will get the Batcave for the Home service. “It’s safe to say that hardcore Batman fans are going to seriously spazz out when they unlock Bruce Wayne’s secondary lair under Arkham,” said a Sony representative.
As you can already tell by the screenshot, not only can you have your Home avatar roam the headquarters of the dark knight, but you can check out the famous Batmobile as well. Although, if I were to choose which exclusive content I like more, it would be hands down playing as the Joker. But I guess it really doesn’t matter because PS3 owners are getting both, while the 360 is getting shafted.
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By: Jon Christensen on July 13th, 2009 pm31 2:04 pm
Rocksteady Games has released another trailer for their highly anticipated Dark Knight videogame Batman: Arkham Asylum for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3. The trailer is focusing on the villains of the title, so most of the footage we have already seen through various other videos. Although, if you are looking forward to the game like myself, you might want to check it out because their is some new stuff we have yet to see.
I’m pretty pumped for this one because from what I’ve played, this is going to be the first good Batman game since… well ever.
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By: Jon Christensen on May 29th, 2009 pm31 4:44 pm
Rocksteady Games has confirmed with Joystiq that Batman: Arkham Asylum will only feature a single player mode, and will not include multiplayer of any kind. The studio felt if they were to add some kind of multiplayer, it would have distracted them from making the game feel like we were playing as Batman. Lead narrative designer Paul Crocker discussed it with the website.
“We’re just focusing on being Batman. We could have spent less time on that, and more time on adding stuff in, but really the game is successful because you feel like you’re Batman.”
If you had the chance to play the demo at your local retail gaming store, you would understand what he means. Just the mechanics of the Dark Knight are incredible, it truly feels like you are playing as Batman and no one can touch you. So, if they thought adding some sort of online component would take away that feeling, I’m okay without it.
via: vg247
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By: Jon Christensen on May 29th, 2009 am31 4:57 am
Last month, PlayStation Home had an in-game advertisement for Batman: Arkham Asylum, which said PS3 owners would be able to play as the Joker exclusively. That was pretty much a a sure bet on its own, but Edios still decided to send out a trailer which confirmed the the exclusive playable character.
After the jump, watch the Joker run amok, planet remote control bombs, dance (totally badass) and punch guards in the back of the head in an unorthodox manner. The developers, Rocksteady Games, are not just throwing in the Joker as a boring selectable villain, but they are actually making it look like it’s fun to control as him as well.
I know which version I’m buying. Again, the trailer is after the jump.
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By: Jon Christensen on May 2nd, 2009 am31 2:00 am
While I was doing some errands today, I stopped at my local Best Buy to check out some stuff. As I walked though the video game section, which is a ritual for me when I shop at the retailer, I noticed something that was news to me. Like every Best Buy, my store had a PlayStation 3 kiosk demo unit. I normally don’t even stop and touch them like I used to in the past, manly because all the demos that are playable are already available online. However this time, the game that was in the unit caught my attention.
I noticed a customer was playing the new and now delayed action title, Batman: Arkham Asylum. Of course I played it, and took a few pictures to share. After, I talked to a few other separate retailers, including Gamestop. Most stores already had the demo, and the ones that didn’t expects to receive it soon.
Although the demo was short, it certainly gave you a glimpse of the fighting system. From what it looked like to me, the tease did not feature the actual story portion of the game, but rather the challenge mode. While playing as the Dark Knight, you’ll learn to how fight and counter attacks from the patient who are inside the infamous hospital. And boy do you feel like Batman by the end of it.
If you want to check it out, head down to your local retailer who carries video games. Hopefully they have the demo featured in their PS3 kiosk.
If you are wondering what Best Buy I was shopping at, it was the San Francisco store on Geary Blvd.
If you want to see some more pictures, check them out after the jump. But please excuse the blurriness, I took them with my iPhone, as I didn’t expect to see the title at the store. (more…)
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By: Jon Christensen on May 1st, 2009 am31 2:42 am
Update: Edios and Warner Bros. made a statement about the rumors and Batman is officially delayed. However, both companies confirmed it’ll be out at the “end of summer 2009″, instead of the original June 23rd date. “This additional time will allow us to ensure Batman: Arkham Asylum is of the highest quality for gamers,” said Warner and Eidos.
Game Informer is reporting that sources close with Edios Interactive, are saying that Batman: Arkham Asylum is going to be delayed. According to multipliable retail sites and advertising by Edios themselves, Arkham Asylum is scheduled to be in stores on June 23. However, if these insiders are correct, we won’t be seeing the Dark Knight until the “holiday season.”
There was no specific reason for the possible hold up, but it could be because of a number of reasons. First, the game could simply not be ready for release and Edios has given Rocksteady Games more time to develop. Although, considering the game is so close to launch and should have been going gold soon, I’m not too sure if that would be necessarily the case.
Another explanation for the rumored delay, could be for sale purposes. Like most companies, Edios and/or Warner Bros. could be looking at Batman as a great holiday title, which I think it has the potential to be too. With that said, anyone that knows anything about sales, would assume Batman could actually sell better during the holidays, when compared to the summer. If that is something that Edios/Warner Bros. believes in, I can’t blame them for wanting to ship the title at a later date. Plus, it could give RockSteady more time to polish the game.
I’ll update the story as soon as more information is available.
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By: Jon Christensen on April 30th, 2009 pm30 4:37 pm
Rocksteady Games has released a new trailer for their upcoming game based off of Batman. Arkham Asylum is going to revolve around a heavy presence of stealth-action gameplay. However, we are talking about the Dark Knight here, so seeing Batman kick some ass will also be featured, along with the sneaking around.
The trailer above, shows just that and proves the fighting system is not only brutal, but looks efficiently deep. One of the things that caught my eye was seeing Batman fight from one enemy to another, and how Rocksteady made it see, like a smooth transition.
The more I see from this comic-book inspired game, the more I want to try it out. Check out the trailer above.
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By: Jon Christensen on April 28th, 2009 am30 2:23 am
The official website for Batman: Arkham Asylum has gone live. The site will bring blog updates from the actual developers from inside Rocksteady Games. It’ll also be the hub for fans who are anticipating the game and will include exclusive screens, trailers, downloads and news. As of now, there isn’t much, but we expect to see more things posted over there within due time.
Batman: Arkham Asylum is being published by Edios Interactive and Warner Bros. Interactive. The game is scheduled to be shipped into stores on June 23 for the Xbox 360, PS3 and PC.
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By: Jon Christensen on April 16th, 2009 pm30 11:29 pm
Another Batman: Arkham Asylum clip has made its way onto the Web-O-Vision (Tom Green reference). This is starting to look like a thing that could happen daily, so I hope you enjoy Batman.
Anyway, the video shows of the supervillainess babe, Harley Quinn. She’s looking hotter than ever in her Hot-Topic Catholic school girl uniform. However, Batman purest might have a problem with that. I for one, don’t!
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By: Jon Christensen on April 16th, 2009 am30 12:46 am
Rocksteady games has released another Batman: Arkham Asylum trailer, which features the huge Villain Bane. Unlike the last video we saw not to long ago, that featured actual gameplay, this one exhibits a cut scene from the game. Although it doesn’t really reveal to much, besides what Bane is going to look like, it certainly shows off how beautiful and gritty the title is shaping up. I should also mention how badly I want this Batman game, and I really think we actually might play a good Dark Knight game in our lifetime.
Another good aspect of the game I personally think is getting brushed by is the musical score. Sure it’s reminiscent of Dark Knight movie, but is that really a bad thing?
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By: Jon Christensen on April 9th, 2009 pm30 8:31 pm
Last month, rumors were floating around the internet about a possible collector’s edition for Batman: Arkham Asylum. According to the rumors, the CE was going to be packed with a 12″ Batarang, soundtrack and other goodies. Edios was mum about the gossip and since that time, nothing else was talked about. Today, the publisher has confirmed that there is indeed going to be a collector’s edition and will sell for $100. The CE will include:
*14″ Batarang on a stand, which will resemble the in-game version.
*48 page Arkham doctor’s journal, which will cover in detail the inmates of Arkham Asylum. The journal will be protected by a leather dust jacket.
*2 sleeve digi-pack and feature a behind-the-scenes DVD, as well as the game.
*A code to download an exclusive level titled “Crime Alley.”
Everything bundled with the collector’s edition will be packed in a case that looks like a bat… How clever! Although it’s a tad expensive for most gamers, hardcore Batman fans are probably going to eat this up.
Batman: Arkham Asylum is scheduled to be in stores on June 9, 2009.
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By: Jon Christensen on March 27th, 2009 pm31 8:46 pm
Rocksteady Games have released a two and a half minute walk through for Batman: Arkham Asylum.The clip is meant to show off a main feature in the game, which could make the title unique. I’m talking about something called “invisible predator gameplay.” The new element is to give Batman something more than just a sense of stealth, but feel like a predator — hence the name of the feature.
As the player journeys through each room of the Asylum, it’s up to him/her to figure out how they will take out enemies and without being seen at the same time. As you can tell from the video above, no how many times you play, the game will be different, because each time you do something, the enemies will react in another way. A characteristic like this, could really add some reply value.
I think Arkham shaping up nicely overall, but one thing that looks like it could be a minor issue is the fighting system. It appears a tad generic, but of course I’m only judging that through videos — so, I could definitely be wrong. But even if I’m right, I really don’t think that would hurt a game like this too much because its not going to rely on fighting solely.
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