Product Description

Batman: Arkham Asylum exposes players to a unique, dark and atmospheric adventure that takes them to the depths of Arkham Asylum - Gotham's psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. Gamers will move in the shadows, instigate fear amongst their enemies and confront The Joker and Gotham City's most notorious villains who have taken over the asylum. Using a wide range of Batman's gadgets and abilities, players will become the invisible predator and attempt to foil The Joker's demented scheme.

Batman: Arkham Asylum features an original story penned exclusively for the game by famous Batman author and five-time Emmy award winner, Paul Dini, whose credits include Lost season one and Batman: The Animated Series. With amazing graphics and a moody, immersive setting, Batman: Arkham Asylum offers diverse gameplay options that push the envelope for all action, adventure and superhero games.

• Utilise the unique FreeFlow combat system to chain together unlimited combos seamlessly and battle with huge groups of The Joker's henchmen in brutal melee brawls
• Investigate as Batman, the world's greatest detective, by solving intricate puzzles with the help of cutting edge forensic tools including x-ray scanning, fingerprint scans, 'Amido Black' spray and a pheromone tracker.
• Face off against Gotham's greatest villains including The Joker, Harley Quinn, Victor Zsasz and Killer Croc.
• Become the Invisible Predator with Batman's fear takedowns and unique vantage point system to move without being seen and hunt enemies.
• Choose multiple takedown methods, including swooping from the sky and smashing through walls, and use the predator camera get a closer look at the action.
• Explore every inch of Arkham Asylum and roam freely on the infamous island, presented for the first time ever in its gritty and realistic entirety.
• Experience what i

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #47 in Computer & Video Games
• Brand: Eidos
• Released on: 2009-08-28
• Rating: Suitable for 15 years and over
• ESRB Rating: Rating Pending
• Number of discs: 1
• Platform: PLAYSTATION 3
• Format: Unknown format
• Original language: English, German
• Subtitled in: English, German
• Dimensions: .55" h x 5.32" w x 6.77" l, .26 pounds

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Dark Knight returns in the first game to do him justice in his more than 20 year history in video games. Not based on any specific comic book or movie it takes all the best ideas and visuals from all of Batman's many incarnations to create a unique spin on one of pop culture's greatest icons.

Arkham Asylum becomes the backdrop for Batman's most dangerous challenge

Killer Croc has never looked more imposing or been more dangerous

Batman must discover the deadly secrets behind The Joker's masterplan

Stalk the minor criminals like prey and strike from the dark when they least expect it

The entire game takes place within Arkham Asylum, where The Joker and his allies have overtaken the facility and set a trap for Batman. This is no simplistic beat 'em-up though, with Batman forced to prove his status as the world's greatest detective with a number of complex forensic style puzzles.

When it does come to combat though you must still use your cunning as much as your fists, as you stalk unaware enemies and distract them with the bodies or screams of their cronies. With believable physics, superb graphics and a serious adult tone this is more than just another superhero tie-in.

Key Features

• Rogue's gallery: Battle all of Batman's greatest foes, including The Joker, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc.
• Final Knight: Gain experience from fights and puzzles to improve and add to Batman's abilities via a role-playing game style skill tree that lets you customise the Dark Knight as you see fit.
• Dynamic duo: Target the most dangerous foes from the shadows with a special takedown move and then move in to stun or attack opponents with the game's intuitive combo system.
• Detective comics: Batman must use his brain as well as his brawn, with CSI style puzzles solved by an array of bat-gadgets including a multi-use interactive visor.
• Animated avenger: An original story written by comic book and Batman: The Animated Series legend Paul Dini - plus Kevin Conroy as the voice of Batman and Mark Hamill as The Joker.

About the Developer: Rocksteady Studios

Only found founded in 2004, this London based developer's first game was the well received first person shoot 'em-up Urban Chaos: Riot Response for the PlayStation 2 and Xbox. Their first game for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 (and PC) is comic book license Batman: Arkham Asylum.

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Customer Reviews

The first great Super Hero game
Batman-Arkham Asylum is a pretty special game. It came out of the gates with the sort of demo that sprung from the shadows, grabbed me suddenly around the waist, shoved a bat mask onto my face before I knew what was happening and firmly insisted in a gruff voice on being played through at least 25 times, or else. So I did. And it was good. Very, very good. By the time I'd played it through only 10 times I had already fetched my childhood bat cape from the attic, dusted off my Michael Keaton/Kim Basinger posters, smashed up my favourite piggy bank and separated out the silver into a clearly marked plastic bag entitled "the bat fund." I was mildly excited.

Lucky for me then that the full Batman game turned out to be a true gaming treat. Great character models, flawless voice talent (care of Mark Hamil et al from the last animated series), inspired mood, lighting, and atmosphere, all tied together by a fluid, intuitive control system. We finally have a super hero game that not only doesn't suck, but that can proudly stand shoulder to shoulder and head held high with the truly great titles of this generation. But it does so with a little borrowing. Regular gamers will immediately sense the influence of other popular titles at work here. The artwork, presentation and atmosphere are heavily influenced by the classic first person-shooter Bioshock, as is the sense cultivated throughout of a world gone slightly mad. The regular use of the Joker's voice on the intercom to taunt you and comment on your progress also harks back to bioshock's Fontaine. No bad thing. Metal Gear Solid throws its hat in the ring next, being the clear model behind the stealth action (albeit with the fantastic twist here that the gunmen know you are around somewhere and are terrified of you, becoming more terrified as you pick them off). The intuitive control system has a distinct sense of Gears of War, and finally, at a stretch, you can even pull out gaming elements and level design from God of War (particularly in the fantastic fight with Scarecrow.) Of course, all of these comparisons are to top drawer, best of their generation titles. The fact that Batman pulls to mind the very best elements of these games speaks volumes for its class, and at worst it certainly presents an overall experience unlike any you will have had before in gaming.

The fact that this is a "Batman" title doesn't unduly carry the game through its ills, either. Yes, its great to have these characters to hand, but the story line that guides you along the game is well written and engaging in its own right (although I won't ruin it by going over it here). The character interpretations are also spot on. A Comic book look rather than photorealism has been adopted, but coupled with the grimy, frightening, brutal design of the Chris Nolan Batman films. There's less spit-shine and "Kabblams!" here than there is blood, violence, death and madness. Of course, whilst this may heartily stoke the excitement of older gamers, do bear in mind that this sort of game may not be suitable for your Bat Youngadult. Its important to look beyond the pointy ears and note that this game has been given a 15 rating for a reason. Uncertain parents should have a quick play themselves first and see what they think.

Other than that there's little else to say. If you grew up with Batman like me, you will love this game. And even if you didn't, well... you will still love this game. Its too good not too.

9.5/10.

Best Batman game since Batman on the Nes
A big fan of Batman I knew I was going to love this game from the trailers and screen shots, I played the demo on both Xbox360 and PS3 and after much debate I choose the PS3 version as it had the Joker extra challenge pack which I will mention a bit later.

You start the game wheeling the Joker into Arkham Asylum, Batman has just caught him but feels that the Joker let himself be caught but for what reason? Too late, Joker has trapped everyone in Arkham Asylum with help from his psychotic beau, Harley Quinn and has let all the prisoners loose and it's up to you to sort things out.
I am feeling a lot of love for Mark Hamill for his voice acting; it really is spot on and seems anyone these days who plays as the joker does so brilliantly. First off I was worried that Ledger would never be able to top Nicholson but outclassed him and then Mark Hamill again performs the voice acting role with class.

The beginning of the game is very different from the demo with a 10 minute intro of you following the joker deep into the Asylum before he springs his trap, you will pass through some of the characters you later meet within the game too so keep an eye out

Once the joker escapes the game eases you into the combat side of things against a few of the inmates and then challenges you against one of the bigger opponents.
The combat is very easy to pick up and you will later gain other combat moves and take downs later in the game as you gain XP which allows you to purchase moves, weapons and upgrades from Waynetech.
With Joker in charge of the island he can navigate and control where Batman goes and as you hear him over the speaker system he comes out with some funny one liner, help or hindrance to your quest. Its little things like this which makes this game stand out from anything similar; the camera will sit over Batmans shoulder while you walk around and then move around while in combat and some takedowns will be shown in slow motion.

Building up a combo allows Batman to pull off the most spectacular attacks and earns more XP and it's also the quickest way to finish off a large group of inmates. The counter moves, take downs and different type of enemies is what stops this game becoming a button mashing fighting game, you will encounter guys with knifes which you will need to use your cape to deflect them away and others with electric rods which you will need to dodge and sometimes you will encounter these enemies all together so you will have to pay attention to who you are attacking.
Along with fighting face to face you can also choose to take a more stealthy approach, this is needed when facing a room full of goons with guns as once you are spotted they will take you out very quickly. The game has unlimited continues and every check point isn't far away but it's nice to get through the games with as little deaths as possible.
To help with your stealth attacks you can creep behind a goon and perform a stealth takedown also your batarangs glide attacks and the takedown which I find most fun which is hanging from the ceiling and grabbing a goon and tying him up. Later in the game the goons and rooms become harder to do these stealth attacks but that's a good thing.

The Riddler has kindly planted trophies, maps, riddles to find and voice recordings for you to find around the island and proves an extra challenge if you wish to enhance your gaming experience. The Riddles are fun and some can be a challenge to work out but once you pick up the map for certain areas everything becomes too easy.

As you progress the game the constant combat and travels will take their toll on our Dark Knight as his suit and cape become tattered and torn and you can see his face and body becoming more bruised which is a lovely touch to the game.

The game hasn't many flaws but if I had to say anything bad it would be that the bosses are too easy and once you work out their pattern you should be able to take down them all with ease. Also the goons AI isn't at all challenging but these flaws are nothing to fear as this is one of the best games I have played this year and contender for GOTY.

Once you have finished the game you can then go through all the challenge modes, and if you have bought the PS3 version you will also be able to download the Joker challenge packs. No doubt you will see more of these in future downloads via the PSN [or XBM if you are playing the xbox version]

One thing I will briefly say is the Scarcow parts in the game are fantastic and provide something different to the game. I wont give it away but they are very creepy, make sure you have your surround sound turned up.

I feel like Batman..but not THE Batman
This game (not demo) is, without doubt, marvellous.
'Does exactly what it says on the tin', is a perfect phrase to use, when describing this game. The gameplay is easy to pick up, the graphics are fantastic, sound and music fit the mood and feel of the source material perfectly and this all contributes to the overall success of the game.
Its a well written plot too, the premise, that Im sure you all know from reviews etc, is perfect for this type of game. Its not'Batman does God of War' as some reviewers will have you believe. Any game in which you can dispose of the henchmen without being seen in most of the game, can never be levelled with this description. If one must give it a brand as it were, I would describe it as 'Batman does Metal Gear', no sneaking or stealth in the Boss battles, but plenty in the game.
The good points covered..BUT
Im am still waiting for the Batman game to end all Batman games. A sandbox, GTA style game, a fully explorable Gotham, coupled with another comic-inspired plot, and of course full use of the Bat-Vehicles etc. Past attempts on the PS1 &PS2 have been weak, mostly because they have been based on the films, and have bitten off more than they can chew. This game is a good start to rejuvenating the Batman-Video game brand.
Arkham shows us the direction, hopefully someone will take advantage of a sole-PS3 release, and create a game of epic proportions.
Maybe just a far-flung dream? Maybe something that will finally unlock the full potential of the PS3.
Verdict: buy it, its great (simple as)