The Bat Is Back In Arkham Asylum 2

When phrases like “Game of the Year” get tossed around, it’s like that the title in question will see a sequel. Much to the delight of many gamers that visited Gotham’s most disturbing of locations this year, “Batman: Arkham Asylum” will see a follow up in the relatively near future. While next to nothing is known about the game, we do have this lovely trailer, courtesy of the Spike VGAs to get put a smile on our faces. Check it out, or check out the teaser site, Arkhamhasmoved.com. [Continue Reading]

Batman: Arkham Asylum Review #2: Into The Nuthouse

This is part two of our two part “Batman: Arkham Asylum” review series. For another view on the game, check out Nat X7’s review.

Batman doesn’t need an introduction: whether you read about him the comics, watched the cheesy TV episodes, or saw him in the latest Dark Knight movie, chances are you know about about the Caped Crusader. However, Arkham Asylum is something many casual Batman fans don’t know much about, and Eidos has decided to give a ten hour tour of the place in their latest game. With Batman’s theme being littered with stealthy situations, kung fu battles, and hi-tech gadgets, does this game meet the expectations of Batman fans or do you need to be insane to enjoy “Batman: Arkham Asylum”? [Continue Reading]

Batman: Arkham Asylum Review #1: This Dark Knight Shines Brightly

This is part one of our two part “Batman: Arkham Asylum” review series. Check out MarkyX’s take on the game.

Months ago, DC Comics killed off Bruce Wayne. A three-part mini-series, entitled “Battle for the Cowl,” followed his death, in which multiple heroes and villains from the Gotham universe battled to wear the suit of the famous, Caped Crusader. Now, a new entity dons the bat suit, and a total reinvention of the Batman storyline has begun. While “Batman: Arkham Asylum” still has you exploring Gotham’s most storied penitentiary from behind the eyes of Bruce Wayne, it draws many parallels with it’s comic brethren, as it’s a total reinvention of Batman in the gaming realm, and brings with it many innovative features that should be mainstays in the third-person, action genre. [Continue Reading]

Batman: Arkham Asylum Demo Impressions

The history of the caped crusader in games is not one to brag about. With a few exceptions, most of Batsy’s forgettable forays into the gaming realm have been met with underwhelming reception, but all that may be about to change. Finally, after waiting for what has seemed like an eternity, the release of a downloadable demo for PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 owners now, finally, have the chance to sample “Batman: Arkham Asylum,” and this ain’t you’re daddies Batman. [Continue Reading]

E3 ‘09: Batman Arkham Asylum Developer Interview

FINALLY, Batman’s getting a badass game. “Arkham Asylum” is looking like it is going to be the quintisential Batman game that will set the standard for all other Batman games to come. It’s the first game ever to really blend all of Bruce Wayne’s “gifts – from his detective work to his batarangs it looks like an all encompassing Batman experiance. So, even though the game got delayed a few weeks, you’ll be able to get your hands on it soon enough (I have already spent some time with my hands on it, and you can check out my thoughts on it here), but in the mean time, Unit had a chance to find out a bit more about the game at this year’s E3 courtesy of Rocksteady’s Lead Narrative Designer, Paul Crocker – check out what he learned. [Continue Reading]

E3 ‘09: Quick & Dirty Video – DC Universe Online Gameplay

Here’s your chance to become apart of the famed DC heroes (and villians). Watch some gameplay combat along side the clown prince of crime himself, the Joker!

E3 ‘09: Batman Arkham Asylum Hands-On Impressions

Eidos is looking to save Batman’s video game reputation later this summer by releasing “Batman: Arkham Asylum” for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360. I had a chance to spend a few minutes with the game, at Eidos’ E3 booth and take on a few of the game’s challenge rooms with both Batman and the Joker. Here’s what you need to know about Gotham’s greatest detective’s next mission.
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Inside the Nuthouse – A Look at Batman: Arkham Asylum

Batman games don’t normally have the highest success rate in the gaming industry. Whenever a new Batman game is announced, it’s usually met with much excitement, however, when they’re released they normally disappoint without fail. Fortunately, Eidos and Rocksteady are looking to change all that with “Batman: Arkham Asylum.”

The game is being shown off on the GDC show floor, and if ya ask me, it’s looking pretty sweet.  In the video below, Game Director, Sefton Hill, takes the liberty of explaining exactly how we will be disposing of the Joker’s baddies once inside Arkham. It looks like a pretty interesting take on stealth gameplay, (the explosive foam in the shape of a bat logo is a nice touch). What you see in the video is not actually part of the single player campaign, but a challenge mode that can be unlocked upon completion of the game. Apparently the game will be loaded with unlockables that will make Batman fans giddy in their pants. [Continue Reading]

Review: Lego Batman

Holy Lego Blocks Batman! Yup it’s DaveDaGamer dropping a review on you for Lego Batman from Traveller’s Tales.

These boys are on quite a roll with their on the surface “kiddie” franchise. I say on the surface, because there is a polish to these games that are usually not found in games targeted for your lil brother or sister. These games consistently rank in the high 8’s or 9’s for review scores. That tells you they toe the delicate balance between accessibility and fun factor.

Granted these Lego games are all based on the simple premise of everything in the worlds is made up of blocks from Lego playsets. Already the game strikes a chord with us because most of us have played with Lego’s growing up and I at least imagined creating vast worlds until I ran out of blocks. Famous stores like F.A.O. Schwartz and Toy’s R Us began building huge statues of King Kong and Godzilla out of Lego’s to attract users.

Traveler’s Tales looked at this lovingly and have honed their craft to bring us their latest attraction Lego Batman. Coming off the high that was Lego Indiana Jones, coincidentally the caped crusader killed at the box office and people were all excited about Batmania once again.

The first problem for me was the story. Now I’m a fan of the Batman comics and movies (yes even the first series). But where I feel that the previous Lego games connected with us, watching the familiar scenes from movies we adored played out in silent scenes, this title is missing. You see, this game isn’t based on any particular movie, comic, or cartoon series. It is an original story that manages to get as many of the characters in as possible. While still fun I think that this title would’ve been bolstered by picking from one of the more well recognized stories of the Batman.

What further brings us away is the epic score of Danny Elfman blasting through my speakers as my lil Lego men scamper throughout unfamiliar terrain.

All in all, I think that if you’ve enjoyed the previous Lego iterations you’ll like this one as well. There are some serious laughs, and there are a multitude of gadgetry to work with. One of the coolest features of this game is being able to play the game from the villain side after you unlock the missions with Batman and the Boy Wonder. Playing as a villain is almost universally cooler and this game doesn’t disappoint.

Lego Batman is the first Lego game made for the Next Gen console and it shows. TT definitely gets a lot of expression out of their fairly simple models. That shows the genius of the animation.

One thing this game is not is short. It will take you about 15 – 20 hrs to complete 100% and you will definitely enjoy re-playing levels with new abilities.

Check out Lego Batman for your quick fix of goodness.

DaveDaGamer

Hands On With Final Version Of MK vs. DC + New Footage!

Is it safe to say the Mortal Kombat franchise is back to it’s former glory? Well after hands on time with the final build of MK vs. DC i have a feeling it’s just about there. The first thing that stood out to me while playing, was how well the DC and Mk universe meshed together. Now i know there’s alot of haters out there, but guys give it a chance. I doubt you’ll agree that the whole concept is ridiculous or stupid once you’ve played the game. And speaking of play, some of you old school Mk fans will feel right at home with the familiar attacks and moves input, hell even the good old uppercuts have returned.

What’s also cool is the ease of pick up and play. Having been away from the MK games for years, I was able to get in along with a friend (who rarely plays games to begin with) and start brawling with out having to resort to using cheesy moves. Now don’t take this as the game being way to easy. Like all fighting games, Mk vs DC has moves which will require some time to master. Moves like reversals and the use of the analog stick to move on a 3d plane. And no… you didn’t hear wrong, the analog stick is used to move or “side step” your character towards the foreground or away in the background. While playing it’s easy for someone to forget they can move around like that. Having to switch from the digital to the analog control is alittle awkward and may turn off players. Thankfully the Mk gods saw it fit to support the recently released arcade sticks for the ps3 and x360. If they didn’t i think I would’ve had to raised some hell! In my opinion, arcade sticks are the only way to go for fighting games.

Another cool feature worth mentioning is the chat rooms they’ll have setup for players. As quoted to “bring back that arcade feel” of the crowds that would gather round the arcade cabinets watching the fights. The chatrooms will allow players to talk or brag to each other about thier skills before the next match or during a match in session. This is a nice little addition that should be a standard for all fighting games going forward.  All in all Mk vs DC looks to bring the franchise back out of the darkness from which it lurked. Stripping away all the silly bloated content…ahem kombat karts anyone?…ahem and taking players back to it’s bare bones roots of good ‘ol mk fun albiet with a splash of superheroes in the mix. Dare i say it?…ahhh screw it..MOOOOORTAL KOOOOOOMBAT! Damn now i gotta go and listen to that movie soundtrack….

Still won’t take my word for it? check out 2.0’s impressions plus footage explaining what’s new to the series.

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