Just downloaded the 1GB demo for Batman: Arkham Asylum PS3 version. While it only lasts about ten minutes, I walked away impressed, mostly.
(http://www.herorealm.com/images/Reviews/arkham_asylum_1-762720.jpg)
*combining one of the best Batman comics, the Animated Series, and the Dark Knight? What's not to love?*
I won't go into the story or presentation, as that'll really show up in the full game once it comes out Aug.25th. I was more focused on the gameplay. Besides, it's voiced by the Animated Series cast and written by the same people. The story is going to be good. X_X;; What I would like to note though, is that the soundtrack sounds excellently like the Dark Knight's soundtrack, which is always a good thing.
The first aspect about any superhero game is the combat, which feels unfortunately stiff. While it is by no means broken, Batman just feels like a tank at times. Square is the standard punching and combo attacks, while Circle is a cape stun, and Triangle is counter. While the basic premise works, trying to do anything complicated is a bit of a mess, as every now and again Batman will just veer off of the enemy you're trying to hit to spin off to another enemy. A simple toggle of a lock-on would be nice. However, unarmed enemies aren't too difficult come hand to hand. I was just hoping it would be a bit more fluid and intuitive.
However, what I was truly interested in was the stealth gameplay. If any superhero could get their Solid Snake on, it'd be Batman, and I'm happy to say that based on the demo, the sneaking couldn't be better. While the demo only has simple puzzles and such, the basics work great. You can grapple onto pillars (gargoyles in this game's case), rails, etc., and duck under vents, tiles, and so forth to move about undetected. You can also crouch walk behind an enemy and have a silent take down. Got armed enemy's? Hide on a pillar and throw a Batarang to disarm him AND get him scared and confused. I have to say my favorite move is to hang bat style under a pillar as an enemy passes, jump down, take him out, and fly back up before his allies don't know what hit him.
In addition to the usual stuff, Batman has a "detective mode" in his cowl, that makes the world semi-transparent and highlights all important objects. Think of it as a 3D map combined with Samus' scan visor, as the detective mode will also highlight any person's heartbeat, emotional state, number of enemies, and whether they're armed or not. Definitely going to be useful for us sneaky types.
While the combat I feel could use some work, it would appear this game was more designed as "Metal Gear Solid: Batman Edition", which hey, is certainly a good thing. I'm sure there will be more to harp on in the full game, but Arkham Asylum looks to be the first good Batman game since the good 'ol 2D days.
The PC version is 2GB.
Probably because of the PhysX and 3D Vision.
Quote from: Tsumaru on August 07, 2009, 08:17:04 AM
The PC version is 2GB.
Probably because of the PhysX and 3D Vision.
Not entirely sure. I'm actually surprised the demo was as big as it was considering it's pretty short overall. But whatever. It's more like the first fifteen minutes of the game more so than a demo.
Also, I'll be uploading the demo onto Youtube with my commentary later once I get it all edited and commentary recorded.
CURSE YOU MICROSOFT! I don't have Gold, so I can't get the 360 demo for probably a week (I don't have a PS3, and while I'm currently downloading the PC demo, I doubt my PC can handle it).
However, I did try free-flow combat mode on Wal-mart's PS3 demo several months ago, and I thought it was freaking awesome. This is the worst gaming year ever for me; there are tons of games coming out at the same time that I want, and I can't afford a single one!
Quote from: SmashBro25 on August 07, 2009, 03:33:29 PM
CURSE YOU MICROSOFT! I don't have Gold, so I can't get the 360 demo for probably a week (I don't have a PS3, and while I'm currently downloading the PC demo, I doubt my PC can handle it).
However, I did try free-flow combat mode on Wal-mart's PS3 demo several months ago, and I thought it was freaking awesome. This is the worst gaming year ever for me; there are tons of games coming out at the same time that I want, and I can't afford a single one!
the combat just feels stiff. It's by no means horrible, but based on the demo alone, it looks like it could've been better. But the sneaking is great.
Quote from: Nayrman on August 07, 2009, 04:06:23 PM
the combat just feels stiff. It's by no means horrible, but based on the demo alone, it looks like it could've been better. But the sneaking is great.
i thought combat was great, as it
feels a bit stiff, but it looks as cool and fluid as any choreographed fight scene in a Batman movie.
as for invisible predator, that does look much better, but that wasn't available on the walmart demo, so i'll have to wait until i can get this new demo before i make a real judgement.
the stealth is great. It's like MGS but simplified. Admittedly Batman doesn't have quite the repertoire of Snake, but it's till great.
Sure the animation is fluid with the fighting, but it basically amounts to "spam square with occasional triangle". Not to mention there is no basic lock on feature. But whatever.
I uploaded the demo on my youtube page. The first part is up, the second is processing.
Yeah, I have Silver. Hopefully the demo gets uploaded for Silver users soon.
I believe the official waiting time for a demo to get from Gold to Silver is a week, so don't expect it any sooner than next weekend (august 14).