Batman: Arkham Asylum special from Spike last night

[Queasy]

Link - This game is getting so much positive press right now it's going to make me go out and rent it during lunch (if I can). I've seen everything from, "The first Batman game to get it right." to "This year's Bioshock". Yeah, the second one may be over the top but it's scoring a 91 for both the 360 and PS3 at metacritic right now.

Definitely going to have to try and go grab this now...

BTW, is it me or is Mark Hammil starting to look like William Shatner?

 

[Slick5150]

According to UPS' tracking system its currently sitting on my back porch waiting for me to get home from work. I'm tempted to run home at lunch actually and give it a try.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

If you buy this at Toysrus between 10am-2pm you can get a 30 dollar gift card.


I know where I'm going at lunch. This was the 2nd best demo I've ever played. Bioshock was 1st.

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: bl4ckfl4g
If you buy this at Toysrus between 10am-2pm you can get a 30 dollar gift card.


I know where I'm going at lunch. This was the 2nd best demo I've ever played. Bioshock was 1st.

Toys R Us is just a wee bit too far for me to head to during lunch unfortunately so I'm going to miss out on that deal. I just went to Blockbuster and rented it with a rent 1 get 1 free coupon. Despite how much I enjoyed the demo and am looking forward to the game, I'm not sure about the replay value of the game so renting it seems to be the best avenue for now.

 

[blurredvision]

If you do the TRU thing, you have to be some kind of member of a TRU club or something, so buyer beware. You might make the trip and not qualify for the $30 gift card.

 

[R Nilla]

Originally posted by: peritusONE
If you do the TRU thing, you have to be some kind of member of a TRU club or something, so buyer beware. You might make the trip and not qualify for the $30 gift card.

You have to be a rewards member. You can sign up online for free right now, and you also might be able to sign up at checkout.

Worst case scenario you get a $20 gift card instead.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: peritusONE
If you do the TRU thing, you have to be some kind of member of a TRU club or something, so buyer beware. You might make the trip and not qualify for the $30 gift card.

Yeah but it is free to sign up and they send 5.00 off coupons all the time.

Plus if you aren't a member, you still get a 20 dollar card.

Probably a good thing to point out though. Thanks

 

[Slick5150]

I'd rather goto Best Buy and PM the ToysRus $20 deal (doubt they'd PM the 4 hour $30 deal, but you never know).. Getting a ToysRus gift card would mean I'd have to go back to ToysRus to use it, and I can't stand that place.

 

[Queasy]

Hmmm... Free DLC already on the way?

 

[venkman]

fun game is fun

 

[fatdragondzc]

I got the CE edition, it;s somewhat disappointing. The case is built better than the "Batarang". Game is fun though.

 

[venkman]

Originally posted by: fatdragondzc
I got the CE edition, it;s somewhat disappointing. The case is built better than the "Batarang". Game is fun though.

They have to build it somewhat crappy, otherwise you'd spend all day throwing it at people trying to knock them unconscious.

 

[gorcorps]

Originally posted by: fatdragondzc
I got the CE edition, it;s somewhat disappointing. The case is built better than the "Batarang". Game is fun though.

You sound surprised. Most shit in CE versions is worthless.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

This game is so amazing. Play it on hard though. Medium is too easy so I started over. If you get shot like 2x on hard you die. Makes it much more strategic and stealthy.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Is the game significantly different then the demo? Or are people just really psyched at mashing one button(honest question)?

The demo had the poorest combat system of any game I've seen in a long time, mash one button for the easy knockout, hit counter quick then mash one button on the harder foes. I would hope there was a drastic change in core mechanics if this is the case, or is this another MGS type game that's all flash/style and lousy gameplay by design?

BTW- I hated Assasin's Creed because of the combat also, can't stand that game. Kids loved it, so if this game is comparable I'll probably pick it up for them, if the combat is more interesting then it would be something that I'd really be interested in.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
Is the game significantly different then the demo? Or are people just really psyched at mashing one button(honest question)?

The demo had the poorest combat system of any game I've seen in a long time, mash one button for the easy knockout, hit counter quick then mash one button on the harder foes. I would hope there was a drastic change in core mechanics if this is the case, or is this another MGS type game that's all flash/style and lousy gameplay by design?

BTW- I hated Assasin's Creed because of the combat also, can't stand that game. Kids loved it, so if this game is comparable I'll probably pick it up for them, if the combat is more interesting then it would be something that I'd really be interested in.

Well it isn't Devil May Cry if that answers your question.

 

[BenSkywalker]

Hmm, not exactly. DMC's combat was a bit simpler then I really like, but it wasn't so bad it detracted from the game IMO. The fixed camera angles did a lot more to that end then the combat for me.

 

[Queasy]

I'm not a fan of the 2 button combat mechanic either but this game has so much more going for it that it is easy to forgive.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
Hmm, not exactly. DMC's combat was a bit simpler then I really like, but it wasn't so bad it detracted from the game IMO. The fixed camera angles did a lot more to that end then the combat for me.

DMC combat simple? Maybe DMC 1 but not 3 and 4. I can't think of any system more complicated ....or more awesome.

Whatever it is, let me know so I can play it.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
Hmm, not exactly. DMC's combat was a bit simpler then I really like, but it wasn't so bad it detracted from the game IMO. The fixed camera angles did a lot more to that end then the combat for me.

Yeah the punching people part isn't the main focus. I dunno I still think it is cool though when you rack up a really high combo. The fistfighting isn't hard at all but it fits the game.

 

[BenSkywalker]

DMC combat simple? Maybe DMC 1 but not 3 and 4. I can't think of any system more complicated ....or more awesome.

I was thinking in particular of DMC4.

Whatever it is, let me know so I can play it.

Obvious top choice. Heavenly Sword's combat sytem is more in depth then DMC4's also, although DMC4 makes much better use of giving you good reason to explore that without cranking the difficulty all the way up(unless you put it on the insane difficulty for HS, you can easily button mash your way through the whole game without touching upon the fairly in depth stance/combo/counter system). Don't get me wrong, DMC's system isn't horrible, but it is mainly just chosing close up or ranged and then nailing combos. It doesn't have the kind of layering some of the other games do.

The fistfighting isn't hard at all but it fits the game.

Meh, oh well. I'll almost certainly still end up buying it for the kids, was really hoping for more of an in depth combat engine though- BatMan's hand to hand skill is far beyond that of say SuperMan, SpiderMan or Wolverine's, but he gets the short end of the port stick on that front

 

[Tlan]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker
Is the game significantly different then the demo? Or are people just really psyched at mashing one button(honest question)?

The demo had the poorest combat system of any game I've seen in a long time, mash one button for the easy knockout, hit counter quick then mash one button on the harder foes. I would hope there was a drastic change in core mechanics if this is the case, or is this another MGS type game that's all flash/style and lousy gameplay by design?

BTW- I hated Assasin's Creed because of the combat also, can't stand that game. Kids loved it, so if this game is comparable I'll probably pick it up for them, if the combat is more interesting then it would be something that I'd really be interested in.

that is like the first level. The game gets harder as you go through and the fighting becomes more difficult. you end up using like 3 or 4 buttons as you get more advance and upgrade your skills. The combat kinda reminds me of the witcher in some wasy as you kinda have to time your counters and your attacks to be able to get teh combos to do the special takedowns and stuff. Its a really fun game iam playing on normal settings but i will try the game on hard 2nd run through. I feel like batman when i play this game. the surround sound is good too!
this is a good game !

 

[BenSkywalker]

The game gets harder as you go through and the fighting becomes more difficult. you end up using like 3 or 4 buttons as you get more advance and upgrade your skills. The combat kinda reminds me of the witcher in some wasy as you kinda have to time your counters and your attacks to be able to get teh combos to do the special takedowns and stuff.

Ooohh, now we are talking

I can deal with the fact that NinjaGaiden is over the top for most, one button mashing was way too weak for me, but 3 or four with counters and combos tied in that you have to execute yourself? I can live with that given the rest of the package

 

[Queasy]

Originally posted by: Tlan
I feel like batman when i play this game. the surround sound is good too!
this is a good game !

You know what really struck me playing the demo and part of the first level last night? They nailed the Batman walk. I don't know how Batman would walk in real life (beyond the West/Keaton/Kilmer/Clooney/Bale versions) but that just looks like how Batman would walk...Ominous, powerful, and a complete badass.

You're absolutely right, the game draws you in and really makes you feel the attributes that make Batman Batman.

 

[bl4ckfl4g]

Originally posted by: BenSkywalker

DMC combat simple? Maybe DMC 1 but not 3 and 4. I can't think of any system more complicated ....or more awesome.

I was thinking in particular of DMC4.

Whatever it is, let me know so I can play it.

Obvious top choice. Heavenly Sword's combat sytem is more in depth then DMC4's also, although DMC4 makes much better use of giving you good reason to explore that without cranking the difficulty all the way up(unless you put it on the insane difficulty for HS, you can easily button mash your way through the whole game without touching upon the fairly in depth stance/combo/counter system). Don't get me wrong, DMC's system isn't horrible, but it is mainly just chosing close up or ranged and then nailing combos. It doesn't have the kind of layering some of the other games do.

The fistfighting isn't hard at all but it fits the game.

Meh, oh well. I'll almost certainly still end up buying it for the kids, was really hoping for more of an in depth combat engine though- BatMan's hand to hand skill is far beyond that of say SuperMan, SpiderMan or Wolverine's, but he gets the short end of the port stick on that front

That is ridiculous Heavenly sword pales in comparison to DMC when it comes to the fighting mechanic....Heavenly Sword is better in almost every other way though. Any game you play on easy is gonna be easy.