Military Video Games, computer games, games, gaming - Army Times

New ‘Batman’ game a deliciously dark adventure

Just as Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” introduced us to a grittier Batman flick on the big screen, Eidos Interactive and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment have partnered to deliver a darker and atmospheric adventure on the small screen in “Batman: Arkham Asylum.”

And it also happens to be one of the best video games of the year.

In this gripping single-player tale, the Caped Crusader is tricked by the Joker and becomes trapped with many of his foes inside Gotham City’s psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. As Batman, you will navigate the eerie, trap-laden environments inside Arkham Asylum as well as the surrounding areas of the island - while listening to the Joker’s taunts over a loudspeaker and seeing his painted face on monitors throughout the complex.

All of Gotham’s super-villains have been let loose in this hospital, so you can expect to face off against the likes of Killer Croc, the Riddler, Bane, Poison Ivy, Harley Quinn, Victor Zsasz and other DC Comics criminals - many of whom are reserved for tougher “boss” battles throughout the game.

In order to complete the diverse set of missions - such as rescuing Commissioner Gordon, infiltrating heavily guarded areas, searching for clues, solving riddles or taking down a half-dozen armed inmates - you’ll skulk in the shadows to remain undetected, use a number of gadgets (such as the throwable Batarang or Grapnel Gun to reach higher areas) and master offensive, defensive and combo moves to defend yourself during melee combat.

Gadgets and fight moves are also upgradeable, therefore the better you play the more you can enhance your tools or skills. For example, early on in the game you’ll receive explosive gel that can be sprayed on structural weaknesses and then detonated to break through to the other side. An upgrade for this gel gun, however, causes the gel to explode automatically when an enemy brushes past it. This will become handy as you roam about this dangerous island.

Batman can also initiate a Detective Mode by tapping the L2 button on the Microsoft Xbox 360 or Sony PlayStation 3 controller. In this mode the “B-Man,” as the Joker calls him, can see and analyze forensic items in the environment, plus all nearby enemies are seen as red, glowing skeletons (even though walls), so you can plan your attack. Holding down the L2 button further analyzes an environment for clues and riddles left by Edward Nigma, a.k.a. the Riddler.

Similar to the “BioShock” video game, “Batman: Arkham Asylum” is dripping with atmosphere, thanks to dimly lit halls, moody music and chilling recordings heard on tapes throughout the asylum’s rooms. Played from a cinematic, third-person perspective, the game’s high-definition graphics are simply stunning, including smoothly animated characters and impressive indoor and outdoor set pieces. For a dramatic effect, some of the combat sequences are in slow-motion, such as swooping down from a perch or performing well-timed combo kicks, punches and throws.

Fans of “Batman: The Animated Series” will be pleased to know Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill reprise their voice roles in this game as Batman and the Joker, respectively, while Emmy Award-winning writer Paul Dini (“Batman: The Animated Series,” “Lost”) has penned the thousands of lines of dialogue in this game.

Along with the main story campaign, there’s also a Challenge Mode (in which you unlock challenges and then play them to compete for the top spot on the online leaderboard) as well as many collectibles and secrets to find. The PlayStation 3 version of the game also has a little-known extra: the ability to play as the Joker in eight exclusive maps that will be available for download next month, free of charge, via the PlayStation Network.

You don’t need to be a fan of DC Comics or the Dark Knight to enjoy this game - anyone in search of an action-heavy, atmospheric adventure with a strong narrative will no doubt find “Batman: Arkham Asylum” an interactive experience they won’t soon forget.

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• Platforms: Microsoft Xbox 360, Sony PlayStation 3, PC

• Price: $49.99 to $59.99

• Rating: Teen

• Score: 4 stars