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|[[James Gordon (comics)|Commissioner James Gordon]]<ref name="IMDB cast" />
|[[James Gordon (comics)|Commissioner James Gordon]]<ref name="IMDB cast" />
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|[[Blue Beetle (Jaime Reyes)|Blue Beetle]]<ref name="wired.com 2">{{cite web|url=http://blog.wired.com/games/2009/01/our-first-hand.html |title=A First-Hand Tour of Batman: ''Arkham Asylum{{'}}s'' Madhouse |publisher=[[Wired News]]|date=2009-01-30 |first=Chris |last=Kohler |accessdate=2009-01-30 |quote=Characters pulled from deeper in the Batman canon, like Killer Croc and Blue Beetle, also appear. (Don’t worry, I don’t know who they are either.)}}</ref>
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! colspan="3" | '''Villains'''
! colspan="3" | '''Villains'''

Revision as of 16:15, 4 June 2009

For the graphic novel, see Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth.

Template:Future game

File:Arkham Asylum.jpg
Developer(s)Rocksteady Studios
Publisher(s)Eidos Interactive (Europe)
Konami (JP)
Warner Bros. Interactive/DC Comics (North America)
Writer(s)Paul Dini[3]
SeriesBatman (comic book)
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)Microsoft Windows[4], Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Stealth
Mode(s)Single-player

Batman: Arkham Asylum is an upcoming action-adventure stealth video game for Microsoft Windows, Playstation 3, and Xbox 360, and is based on DC Comics' Batman. It is being developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics and will be released on August 25, 2009 in North America and August 28, 2009 in Europe.[1][2] It is based on the long-running comic book mythos, as opposed to most other Batman games which are adaptations of the character in other media besides the source material.

Gameplay

The game has a more closed gameplay atmosphere. In a description by Game Informer, the gameplay is reminiscent of BioShock.[5] Gameplay places just as much focus on Batman's role as a detective as his combat prowess. Most of the game is played from Batman's perspective through an over-the-shoulder, third person perspective, similar to that of Resident Evil 4 and Dead Space.[6] It has been hinted that certain villains might be playable at some point in the game although this may be as an unlockable element after completing the game.[5]

Arkham was chosen as a location because of its limitations including the fact that it's located on an island. Arkham will be a persistent location that the player is able to freely roam, including an area that serves as Batman's secret on-site Bat Cave. Arkham will make use of Batman's many gadgets to accomplish tasks and take down foes, such as using the grapple gun to get a better perspective on a particular area.[7]

Combat

Some boss battles are focused on combat while others will focus on gadgets. Combat description features Batman perched on a high ledge in a wide open room as he watches some of the Joker's thugs rifle through drawers. Batman switches to investigation mode using a blue tinted visor that among other things lets Batman see his enemies through walls and identifies things like guns and knives. One thug is carrying a machine gun, so Batman jumps off the ledge, spreads his cape, and stuns him. He then swipes his cape to stun his other enemies and engages them in combat. FreeFlow Combat[7] is accomplished using only three buttons: Attack, Stun and Takedown.[5]

File:Batman stalk.png
Batman descends on Victor Zsasz.

During battle, a combo multiplier at the top of the screen will increase with every strike. Once the combo expires, a colony of bats will swirl around Batman and then contribute to an experience bar on the left side of the screen. In an RPG-like skill tree system players will be able to distribute points where they prefer. Gadgets are revealed by collecting items in secret rooms, and they can be upgraded using accumulated experience points to access new areas. The player will need gadgets to survive against certain enemies. There are sections that involve stealth, although the developers state that they prefer to call them "Predatory" gameplay sections, as stealth tends to imply weakness. Batman can create distractions with bodies and victims' yells, and then stalk the guards as they go to inspect. The combat experience is heightened using realistic physics.[5]

Detective

The developers have come up with a "CSI style" for forensic puzzles because Batman will always have the very latest gadgets. Investigative mode is the centerpiece in Batman's arsenal. While in detective mode, the visors in the cowl will be engaged.[8] The visor can highlight points of interest and scan items into Batman's database, similar to the Scan Visor found in Nintendo's Metroid Prime trilogy. Other gadgets include a pheromone tracker, a fingerprint scanner, and a x-ray vision mode.[7] Additionally, the detective gadgets will be able to identify riddles scattered throughout each level of Arkham.[6]

Plot

The game begins with Batman capturing the Joker after his latest plot, escorting him to Arkham Asylum for imprisonment where, due to the Joker's recent attack on Gotham's Blackgate prison, a large number of sane convicts have been transferred. However, the Joker, with the help of Harley Quinn, frees all the inmates and closes the asylum with Batman and Commissioner Gordon inside, threatening to detonate bombs all around Gotham if someone tries to enter the building. Batman must uncover the full extent of the Joker's plan while contending with the horrors of Arkham.[9]

Characters

Heroes
Batman[10] Oracle[10] Commissioner James Gordon[10]
Blue Beetle[11]
Villains
The Joker[12] Killer Croc[13] The Riddler[10][11]
Harley Quinn[14] Bane[15] Mr. Zsasz[10][16]
Penguin[17] Mr. Freeze[17] Poison Ivy[18]
Tweedledum and Tweedledee[17] Hush[17] Amygdala[17]
Scarecrow[8][19][20] Two-Face[17] Catwoman[17]
Maxie Zeus[17] Hugo Strange[17] Firefly[17]
Killer Moth[17] Ratcatcher[21] Ra's al Ghul[17]

Development

Official system requirements
Minimum Recommended
Windows[22]
Operating system Windows XP with Service Pack 2 or Windows Vista
CPU Intel single core 3 Ghz or AMD equivalentPentium D 3Ghz or AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (Dual core)
Memory 1 GB (Windows XP) ; 2 GB (Windows Vista)2 GB (Windows XP) ; 3 GB (Windows Vista)
Graphics hardware Shader Model 3 NVidia 6600 or ATI 1300 or higherNVidia 7900 GT or higher

The story is being co-written by Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series, Detective Comics)[8] while Wildstorm is crafting the appearances of the characters.[8] Game Informer teases that Arkham Asylum will be the ultimate Batman experience and the voice cast will reflect that, featuring Kevin Conroy as Batman, Mark Hamill as The Joker and Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn in the game, reprising their voice roles from the long-running DC Animated Universe.[8] The game will be based on the 70-year Batman series as a whole rather than being tied to any particular adaptation. Arkham will run on Epic Games Unreal Engine 3.[23][24][25] The Windows version will make use of Microsoft's Windows Live service, allowing players to earn gamerscore.[4] In April 2009 ads began appearing in the Playstation Home service advertising the ability to play as The Joker.[26] IGN later confirmed that The Joker will be available at the launch of the game as a free download from the PlayStation Store,[27] but will only be playable in the Challenge Maps.[27] Joker is exclusive to the Playstation 3 version and is not playable on either the Xbox 360 or PC versions. [28]

A Collector's Edition has been announced by Gamestop.[29] The Collector's Edition will feature:

  • A 14 inch Batarang in the style of the game (stand included)
  • A Wayne Tech collector's box
  • A 50 Page color character journal
  • A Bonus DVD including interviews with Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill and other voice actors.

The release date of the game has encountered numerous delays. The first confirmed release date was June 9, which was then delayed to June 29. Currently the Arkham's release date is set to August 25, 2009. [30]

References

  1. ^ a b c Orry, James (May 29, 2009). "Batman: Arkham Asylum confirmed for Aug 28". VideoGamer. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  2. ^ a b c Ingham, Tim (May 29, 2009). "Batman: Arkham Asylum dated". MCV. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  3. ^ Brudvig, Erik (August 13, 2008). "Batman: Arkham Asylum Announced". IGN. Retrieved 2009-03-05.
  4. ^ a b Fahey, Mike (2009-03-04). "Batman: Arkham Asylum Does Games For Windows Live". Kotaku. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  5. ^ a b c d Stewart, Kemuel (August 12, 2008). "Batman: Arkham Asylum Revealed". GamerCenter Online. Retrieved 2009-03-05. Cite error: The named reference "gamecenteronline" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
  6. ^ a b Kohler, Chris (2009-01-30). "A First-Hand Tour of Batman: Arkham Asylum's Madhouse". Wired News. Retrieved 2009-01-30.
  7. ^ a b c "Batman .. Arkham Asylum - Key Features". batmanarkhamasylum.com. Retrieved 2009-03-05.
  8. ^ a b c d e "Game Informer" (September 2008). Batman: Arkham Asylum | A Terrifying Trip Into the Legendary Home of the Dark Knight's Greatest Foes
  9. ^ "Batman: Arkham Asylum Videos (X360)". IGN. Retrieved 2009-06-04.
  10. ^ a b c d e "Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) (VG) - Full cast and crew". IMDB. 2009-03-04. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  11. ^ a b Kohler, Chris (2009-01-30). "A First-Hand Tour of Batman: Arkham Asylum's Madhouse". Wired News. Retrieved 2009-01-30. Characters pulled from deeper in the Batman canon, like Killer Croc and Blue Beetle, also appear. (Don't worry, I don't know who they are either.)
  12. ^ McWhertor, Michael (2008-09-09). "Mark Hamill, You To Appear In Batman: Arkham Asylum". Kotaku. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
  13. ^ Fahey, Mike (2008-08-15). "Batman: Arkham Asylum In Pictures". Kotaku. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
  14. ^ Miller, Greg (2009-01-30). "Batman: Arkham Asylum First Look". IGN. Retrieved 2009-01-30. Yes, Arleen Sorkin is back to reprise her vocal role from Batman the Animated Series
  15. ^ Daniel Phillips and Phil Pirrello (2008-08-21). "Batman: Arkham Asylum - Players Wanted". IGN. Retrieved 2008-08-21. Challenging Bats as he tries to stop the bad guys from conquering Gotham are Joker, Riddler, Bane and Killer Croc
  16. ^ "Game Informer September Issue Revealed!". Game Informer. Retrieved 2008-08-12.
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Xbox World 360" (May 2009). Xbox World 360
  18. ^ "Xbox.com". xbox.com. Retrieved 2009-05-12. {{cite web}}: Text "Batman: Arkham Asylum™ - Game Detail Page" ignored (help)
  19. ^ Plunkett, Luke (2008-08-12). "Eidos Announce ANOTHER Batman Game". Kotaku. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  20. ^ Stewart, Kemuel (2008-08-12). "Batman: Arkham Asylum Revealed". gamecenteronline.com. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  21. ^ Tolito, Stephen (2009-03-04). "'Batman Arkham Asylum' - A Batman Game Worth Getting Excited About". MTV. Retrieved 2009-05-22.
  22. ^ "Batman: Arkham Asylum PC Requirements". Retrieved 2009-04-29.
  23. ^ McInnis, Shaun (2009-03-26). "GDC 2009: Batman: Arkham Asylum Hands-On Impressions". Gamespot. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  24. ^ Blyth, Jon (2009-01-30). "Batman: Arkham Asylum". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  25. ^ Pinter, Justin (2008-12-22). "Batman: Arkham Asylum surprisingly looking good". PSU. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  26. ^ Fahey, Mike (2009-04-23). "Play As The Joker In Arkham Asylum PS3". Kotaku. Retrieved 2009-05-18.
  27. ^ a b Clements, Ryan (2009-04-23). "The Joker Playable in Batman: Arkham Asylum". IGN. Retrieved 2009-04-27.
  28. ^ "Batman: Arkham Asylum, E3 09: Exclusive Joker Trailer". Gametrailers. 2009-05-29. Retrieved 2009-05-29.
  29. ^ "Batman: Arkham Asylum Collector's Edition with Bonus!". GameStop. Retrieved 2009-05-12.
  30. ^ "Batman: Arkham Asylum hitting stores in late summer". batmanarkhamasylum.com. 2009-05-12. Retrieved 2009-05-27.
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