Games

Batman Arkham Asylum (Game of the Year edition)

Title: Batman Arkham Asylum 3D (Game of the Year edition)

Release date: March 26 2010

Format: PS3

RRP: £39.99

Rating: 4/5

Reviewed by Dave Lancaster

Film tie-in games are usually rushed, forgettable affairs driven by the hope of making an extra buck from a brand name. By their nature, games often take longer to develop and produce than films, so to bring them out in time with a finished film is problematic.

'Batman: Arkham Asylum' wisely bypasses this problem (and the phenomenal success of the last 'Batman' film 'The Dark Knight') by releasing a standalone game with its own plot. It's more like a sequel to 'The Dark Knight', made all the more special because it features The Joker heavily, after much doubt has been cast over the character's future in the films because of Heath Ledger's passing.

The general plot sees The Joker being captured at the start of the game. Captured suspiciously easily. He's promptly sent to Arkham Asylum to join his troupe of deranged ex-helpers who are locked up in the same institution. It isn't a massive twist that it's a set-up and The Joker has been sprung by his fellow inmates.

He now runs the asylum with his cast of colourful characters. This fixed setting is pivotal to the game's success. It focuses The Joker's actions away from his usual seemingly random choices of carnage to a more claustrophobic setting. It turns Batman into a caged bird. It makes you think about what's behind a corner.

The voice acting is highly stylised, but, in defense, the game's genesis is a comic-book. One truly notable turn is The Joker, voiced by Mark Hamill. His delirious u-turns of tone and his biting use of wordplay as a weapon seems light-years away from his iconic performance as Luke Skywalker in the original 'Star Wars' films.

This 3D edition is a bit of a gimmick, handily brought out after the game's BAFTA win and the runaway box office receipts of films like 'Up', 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Avatar'. It's certainly not reason enough to buy the game again if you already had it, but as an optional extra, it's a welcome addition.

Unfortunately to make the most of 3D, you need to fiddle with some settings on your TV (details of which are found in the booklet) and sit around looking like a fool in your own living room with a pair of Batman endorsed 3D glasses fixed to your head. Two pairs are included in the pack.

The 3D itself works well for the fight sequences and other bouts of fast-moving action, but when simply exploring it begins to fall apart. The jagged angles and gothic art direction of the asylum does warrant the use of the extra dimension, but for a game set most indoors it can, at times, be counterproductive.

Nevertheless, the gameplay is solid and well designed. The controls are simple enough to master, and movement is key to progressing through the story. A 'detective mode' allows Batman to see things that would normally be missed including x-ray vision of his foes and which pieces of the building will sustain his weight, should he decide to use them to his advantage.

'Batman: Arkham Asylum' provides a lot of running around, solving puzzles of varying quality, fighting and exploring as the usual sinister plot is going on behind the scenes, but its design, acting, genre-specific writing and general atmosphere are enough see it through away from any mediocrities.

It's a great game that succeeds at being an immersive experience instead of just another opportunity to spend more time watching cut-scenes than actually playing. More importantly, it is ambitious enough to not just coast by on its name – you could play this without knowing any of the character's famous backgrounds and still have a great time fighting through the madness.