First Thoughts – Batman: Arkham City

After putting in a decent number of hours, I am so happy that I’ve only completed 17% of Batman: Arkham City. The experience is open without being overwhelming and the game play is as fun as its predecessor.  This was the first game I’ve attended a midnight launch for and I realized it was worth it after I finally went to bed at 4am that same day.

A break from your average Batman

As soon as the story is introduced, we find Bruce Wayne behind bars. Moments later we take control of Catwoman and go to town. This was every bit as fun as it sounds and not a “that’s what she said” joke. The game’s combat sequences are entertaining without a lot of strategy, but gaining successful strike combinations requires some timing and the beat-em-up aspect is very rewarding. The mechanics are solid and the learning curve is not steep in the slightest, but unless you pick your battles wisely with Detective Mode you could find yourself at a disadvantage. There are also a lot of side missions that serve to upgrade Batman’s equipment, meet new villains, and get a better feel for the city.

The game also succeeds in balancing out the classic comic noir feel of the first game with a dose of camp. There are a lot of great villains making a return or being introduced to the series and they all manage to mesh in the crumbling grey city with the looming threat of “Protocol 10” and a more immediate threat of certain doom for Batman. The game’s constantly weaving and changing threads enhance a feeling of loneliness and that the city itself is conspiring against you. I still have a long way to go with this game, but thanks to a well-timed vacation, I’ll be spending a lot of time with it!

Pow! Bang! Zing!