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Batman: Arkham Origins

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Batman: Arkham Origins
Developer(s)Warner Bros. Games Montréal
Additional work by:
Publisher(s)Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Director(s)Eric Holmes
Producer(s)Ben Mattes[2]
Guillaume Voghel[3]
Programmer(s)
  • Tim Tcheblokov Edit this on Wikidata
Artist(s)Jeremy Price
Writer(s)
Composer(s)Christopher Drake[5]
SeriesBatman: Arkham
EngineUnreal Engine 3
Platform(s)
Release
  • WW: October 25, 2013note
Genre(s)Action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player, multiplayer

Batman: Arkham Origins is a 2013 video game developed by Warner Bros. Games Montréal and released by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for the PlayStation 3, Wii U and Xbox 360 video game consoles, and Microsoft Windows. Based on the DC Comics superhero Batman, it is the successor to the 2011 video game Batman: Arkham City, and the third installment in the Batman: Arkham series. It was released worldwide on October 25, 2013.note

Arkham Origins moved development away from series creators Rocksteady Studios, and is written by Corey May and Dooma Wendschuh. The game's main storyline is set five years before that of 2009's Batman: Arkham Asylum and follows a younger and less refined Batman who has a bounty placed on his head by crime lord Black Mask, drawing eight of the world's greatest assassins to Gotham City on Christmas Eve. The game is presented from the third-person perspective with a primary focus on Batman's combat and stealth abilities, detective skills, and gadgets that can be used in both combat and exploration. Arkham Origins is the first game in the series to feature multiplayer gameplay.

A companion game, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate, was released alongside Arkham Origins for Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita. A spin-off game of the same name for iOS and Android platforms was released in October 2013.

Gameplay

See also: Gameplay in Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City

Arkham Origins features similar gameplay to its predecessors.[6] New gadgets to the Batman: Arkham series include: the Remote Claw, which allows Batman to target two objects and pull them together allowing him to knock enemies together or hit them with objects,[7] while tethering two walled-points together creates a tightrope that Batman can traverse;[8] the Shock Gloves, which allow Batman to block electric attacks, instantly disable some enemies and stun shielded ones, and short circuit some objects within the environment;[9] and the Concussion Detonator, capable of stunning large enemy groups.[10] Some gadgets from the previous games return in Arkham Origins, including: the Cryptographic Sequencer, which is used for hacking security consoles; the Batarang, a throwing weapon; the Batclaw, used for hooking on to surfaces;[11] Smoke Pellets, used for stealthy exits and entries;[11] Explosive Gel;[8] the Disruptor, which can remotely disable guns and explosive mines;[11] and the Grapnel Accelerator, an earlier version of the Grapnel Boost.[12]

The game introduces a fast travel system, allowing Batman to remotely summon his plane, the Batwing, to transport him to other areas of the game world quicker than gliding or grappling can allow. Enemy tower installations prevent Batman from summoning the craft in some areas and must first be disabled using various gadgets and abilities to make the Batwing available; the Batwing is not player controlled.[6][13] Some towers can only be disabled when the player has obtained the necessary equipment.[14]

Players can traverse enemy-controlled areas using stealth or direct combat. Enemy attacks are prompted with a warning icon, which indicate the attack can be countered.[15] Combat introduces a tracking system which assesses the players' efficiency, highlighting various achievements in battle such as avoiding damage and using gadgets. Combined with chaining attacks together, the performance is rewarded with experience points. These points can be used in a branching upgrade system to enhance Batman's abilities and gadgets, allowing players to upgrade multiple paths or specialize in one.[7][16][17] The game introduces two new enemy types: the "Martial-Artist" who is capable of blocking, evading and countering Batman's attacks, and the "Armored Enforcer" who is invulnerable to harm until he is dazed and de-armored.[18] Some enemies are armed with guns which significantly damage Batman. The player can use predatory tactics through stealth to tilt the odds in their favor. Many areas feature stone gargoyles placed high above, helping Batman remain concealed in between movements to set traps and knock out enemies.[15]

Arkham Origins offers side missions including: "Crime in Progress", where Batman can assist the Gotham City Police Department (GCPD) to improve his reputation by accomplishing tasks such as rescuing police officers from a gang or preventing an informant being thrown to his death; "Most Wanted" allows Batman to pursue villains outside of the main story such as Anarky, who plants bombs around city.[7][19] The Dark Knight system offers tasks of escalating difficulty that promote improvement in stealth and combat. Additionally, Batman's radio scanner also allows him to locate side missions. Completed side missions are rewarded with experience points and upgrades to Batman's equipment.[7][16]

The game features an emphasis on Batman's detective skills: Batman can scan a crime scene using his "Detective Vision" (displayed in first-person perspective) to highlight points of interest and holograms act out theoretical scenarios of the crime that occurred. The crimes can be reviewed on the Batcomputer in the Batcave at will, allowing the player to view virtual recreations of the scene from different angles with the ability to move back and forth through the timeline of the crime, view it in slow motion, or pause it while looking for clues to advance and solve the crime. Small and large crime scenes are spread out over Gotham City.[6][7][20] For example, reviewing the downing of a helicopter, Batman is presented with false and accurate clues; investigation of the scene can reveal that the helicopter was shot, allowing Batman to trace the bullet's trajectory to a murdered police officer and another crime scene.[19] Once a crime is solved, the player is shown a Batman-narrated rundown of the crime.[21] The Batcave also serves as a hub where Batman is able to change costumes, upgrade his equipment, and access challenge maps to practice combat - these maps were accessed separately from the main game in previous installments.[22][23] Collectible objects appear in the game, and in similar style to those from previous games.[22] A "1 vs. 100" mode tasks the player with surviving in combat against 100 increasingly difficult enemies.[24] After completing the story mode, a "New Game Plus" mode is unlocked enabling the player to replay the game with all of the gadgets, experience, and abilities that they have attained; enemies are tougher and the on-screen icon that warns players of imminent attacks is disabled. Completing "New Game Plus" unlocks "I Am the Night" mode, in which the game ends if Batman dies.[25][26]

On compatible systems, the Microsoft Windows version uses Nvidia's PhysX software engine to produce more realistic, dynamic interactions with the game world. With PhysX enabled, some areas contain additional snow or fog, which reacts to Batman moving through it, while with PhysX disabled, the effects are lesser or not present at all.[27][28]

Multiplayer

Arkham Origins also introduces a multiplayer component to the series. One mode, called "Invisible Predator Online", revolves around a gang war in Blackgate Prison between the supervillains Joker and Bane. It involves a match of 3 Joker gang members against 3 Bane gang members against the team of Batman and Robin. Gangs win by killing all of the opposing team's reinforcements, while Batman and Robin win by acquiring intimidation points from eliminating gang members. At a specific point a gang member can become their respective boss – Joker or Bane – gaining more powerful abilities. Gang members have access to guns and explosives, while Batman and Robin have access to gadgets and abilities from the main game, including "Detective Vision". Gang members have a limited "Enhanced Vision" which requires recharging.[29][30][31][32]

"Invisible Predator Online" features a customization element that allows players to outfit all three factions with unlockable gear and outfits, earned through playing the mode. Gear includes such things as new weapons and additional loadout slots, while outfits include Batman's costume from Batman: The Animated Series and Tim Drake's costume from Batman: Arkham City.[33]

Synopsis

Characters

Arkham Origins features a large ensemble cast of characters from the history of Batman comics. The main character is Batman (Roger Craig Smith),[34] a superhero trained to the peak of human physical perfection and an expert in martial arts.[35][36] He is aided by his butler Alfred Pennyworth (Martin Jarvis).[37][38] Arkham Origins brings Batman into conflict with the sadistic and brutal crime lord Black Mask (Brian Bloom).[39] The most powerful man in the city and ruler of Gotham's criminal underworld, Black Mask possesses vast wealth and resources, has eliminated his opposition and begun consolidating his power. His ebony mask conceals his identity, allowing him to operate publicly as Roman Sionis, head of Janus Cosmetics.[40] He places a bounty on Batman which draws the attention of eight proficient assassins: the physically dominating Bane (J. B. Blanc),[41][42] the expert marksman Deadshot,[19] the veteran mercenary Deathstroke (Mark Rolston),[43][44] the poisonous contortionist Copperhead (Rosa Salazar),[45][46] the pyromaniac Firefly,[47] the voltaic Electrocutioner (Steven Blum),[48] the deformed criminal Killer Croc, and the master martial artist Shiva.[49] Batman is pursued as an outlaw by the Gotham police including GCPD Captain James Gordon (Michael Gough);[6][50] corrupt GCPD officials Commissioner Gillian B. Loeb,[16] and SWAT team leader Branden.[14] Other characters include the psychopathic Joker (Troy Baker),[16][51] the Penguin (Nolan North),[52] the mind-controlling Mad Hatter (Peter MacNicol),[53][54] the anti-government, anti-corporation anarchist Anarky (Matthew Mercer),[19][55] Enigma,[56] Alberto Falcone,[7] Gordon's teenage daughter Barbara,[57] and Blackgate's warden, Warden Joseph (Khary Payton).[58] The story takes place before Barbara becomes Batman's ally Oracle, and the existence of Batman's crime-fighting partner Robin; he appears as a playable character outside of the main story.[31][59] Harleen Quinzel, Vicki Vale and Amanda Waller make cameo appearances in the game.[60][61]

Setting

The events of Arkham Origins are set approximately five years before Batman: Arkham Asylum, in the middle of winter in fictional Gotham City.[41][62] Batman is an experienced crime-fighter in the second year of his career, but has not yet become the veteran superhero portrayed in Arkham Asylum and Arkham City.[20][62] He remains a mysterious force with even the police unsure if he is a vigilante, a myth or supernatural.[63] Batman has battled with traditional criminals and gangsters and is used to being stronger and faster than his targets.[37] However, on a snowy Christmas Eve, he is confronted by far more dangerous foes: eight professional assassins aiming to collect the $50 million bounty put on Batman's head by Black Mask.[62][64] Rogues such as the Joker take advantage of the assassins' arrival to launch their own nefarious schemes, while Black Mask's henchmen help instigate a rise in crime and gang activity in the city.[7][41]

The Gotham City Police Department, led by Commissioner Loeb, is thoroughly corrupt, and Branden leads his SWAT team in hunting down Batman to claim the bounty for themselves. The incorruptible Captain James Gordon is one of the most unpopular members of the force. The GCPD are aware of "the Batman", and do not condone his actions towards criminality.[6][10][16][65] Batman's relationship with his ally Alfred is strained. Batman sees Alfred as a reminder of his parents' deaths, and an overbearing parental figure, while Alfred sees Batman as a spoiled child squandering his inheritance on his vigilante crusade, causing the two to repeatedly come into conflict.[37]

Old Gotham, the segment of Gotham City which will become the Arkham City prison, is not yet walled off, and contains slums, lower buildings, a large shopping mall, and docks where Penguin's ship Final Offer is stationed.[13] Within Final Offer, Penguin has added a casino, fighting pit and sales floor with weapons and ammunition.[66] Across the bridge from Old Gotham is New Gotham, the more modern metropolitan area of the city filled with towering skyscrapers.[13][67]

Plot

On Christmas Eve, Bruce Wayne learns that Commissioner Loeb is being held captive at Blackgate Prison by Black Mask and his crew. Without hesitation, Wayne suits up, and as Batman, he enters the damaged prison. After rescuing a tormented Warden Joseph, Batman learns that Loeb is being taken to the execution chamber. There, he finds that he's arrived too late, and Loeb is dead. Soon after, Batman follows Black Mask to the rooftops, where he is confronted by one of his hired assassins Killer Croc. During the ensuing battle, Black Mask escapes via helicopter. After Batman defeats Croc and interrogates him for information on his boss's whereabouts, he learns that Black Mask has placed a $50 million bounty on his head, which is being pursued by eight of the world's deadliest assassins. Batman then triangulates the Penguin's position aboard The Final Offer, believing he may know what's on Black Mask's agenda. After a brief altercation with the voltaic Electrocutioner, Batman finds the Penguin torturing a young Alberto Falcone. As Batman interrogates the Penguin and learns that Black Mask has been murdered at Lacey Towers, he is attacked by the veteran tactician Deathstroke. Following a tenuous battle with Slade, Batman leaves the ship victorious. Arriving at Lacey Towers, he performs a complete analysis of the crime scene, and learns that the victim was not Black Mask, but Roman Sionis' girlfriend Tiffany Ambrose and an unidentified man wearing a black mask. He also learns that the murder may have revolved around someone known as "the Joker".

Knowing he won't be able to identify one of the victims without access to the National Criminal Database, Batman infiltrates the GCPD to retrieve the information he requires. In the midst of his escape, Batman encounters the newly promoted Commissioner James Gordon, and the corrupt SWAT team who hope to eradicate Gordon and collect Black Mask's bounty money for themselves. Following a brief encounter with Gordon's daughter Barbara, Batman enters the sewers beneath the GCPD to secure permanent access to the database. While there, he finds Black Mask's crew planting explosives. After eliminating them and using the database, Batman uncovers the fact that Roman Sionis has been kidnapped by the Joker, who he believes intends to use Sionis to rob the Gotham Merchants Bank. At the bank, Batman encounters Black Mask, who is revealed to be the Joker in disguise. This meaning that it was the Joker who had placed the bounty and contracted the assassins, having kidnapped and replaced Sionis days earlier, seizing his operation and forces. Batman then pursues the Joker to the Sionis Steelmill, where he finds, rescues, and interrogates Sionis. During the interrogation, Batman is attacked and poisoned by the vile contortionist Copperhead. After scanning and purifying himself of the poison, Batman manages to subdue Copperhead.

Tracking the Joker to the Royal Hotel, Batman finds that he and his crew have taken control of the building, placed explosives, murdered hotel staff, and taken guests hostage. The Joker then initiates a meeting with the remaining assassins, goading them for their failures to kill Batman. Out of pure rage, the Joker relentlessly shoves Electrocutioner out of a window to his death. Taking advantage, Batman retrieves Buchinsky's shock gloves. All assassins depart the building except for Bane, who believes Batman will come for the Joker. Batman works his way through the building, eventually encountering the Joker, only to be brutally attacked by Bane. Believing Batman is in over his head, Alfred contacts the GCPD, who arrive and interrupt the physically dominated brawl taking place. As Bane escapes via helicopter, he fires a rocket at the Joker, with the concussive force sending him falling from the hotel. Following his rule, Batman saves the Joker, and leaves him in the hands of the GCPD. Feeling intrigued from the events that transpired, the Joker is sent to Blackgate, and placed in the care of Dr. Harleen Quinzel. After securing a friendship with Quinzel, he explains somewhat of his origins and how he believes it was fate for him and Batman to meet.

In the Batcave, Alfred implores Batman to abandon his crusade of the night, fearing he will die. After a heated argument, Batman refuses Alfred's request and departs via the Batwing. As he locates Bane's headquarters, Batman finds that Bane has deduced his identity. He then warns Alfred about Bane's knowledge of him being Bruce Wayne, and requests that he take cover immediately. At the same time, Firefly has placed bombs all over the Pioneer Bridge. Batman, knowing that more lives are being threatened, defuses all bombs and encounters Firefly. Working with Gordon, he defeats Firefly after an airborne altercation. Batman then rushes to the Batcave, where he finds Alfred dying under a pile of rubble. In his final words, Alfred tells Bruce not to feel guilty over him. Knowing that he now has nothing to lose, Batman attempts to use Buchinsky's shock gloves to resuscitate Alfred. After successfully bringing him back to life, Bruce reconciles with Alfred, rediscovers his purpose, and re-emerges more powerful than ever. Elsewhere, the Joker has taken over Blackgate after launching a riot.

Finally accepting that he needs allies, Batman works with Gordon and the GCPD to retake the prison. Batman is forced to fight Bane to the death when Joker places himself in an electric chair that will automatically kill him unless Bane dies. Batman uses the electric gloves to shock Bane to death. Satisfied, the Joker continues his escape intending to detonate the explosives placed around the city. Bane is resuscitated, but becomes enraged and injects himself with a potent steroid which transforms him into a hulking beast: Batman manages to defeat him. With Gordon's help, Batman fights his way to the Joker in the prison chapel. Dismayed to learn that Batman saved Bane, the Joker tries to taunt Batman into killing him, but Batman subdues him. Gordon lets Batman go free, believing he can help the city.

In a radio interview during the credits, Quincy Sharp says to Jack Ryder that he will lobby to reopen Arkham Asylum to house the city's worst criminals. In a post-credits scene, an imprisoned Deathstroke is approached by Amanda Waller with an offer to join her Suicide Squad.

Development

Troy Baker took over the role of Joker, following long time voice actor Mark Hamill's retirement from the character.[16]

In July 2012, it was reported that Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment (WBIE) was looking to make Rocksteady Studios's next Batman game a prequel based on the Silver Age of Comic Books, and featuring the characters Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and the Flash. The report suggested that the game would explore Batman's first confrontation with the Joker, and that it would have a release date of no earlier than 2014.[68] In August 2012, Paul Dini stated that he would not be involved in writing a sequel to Arkham City. He had not been included in writing for any of that game's downloadable content, including the story-based "Harley Quinn's Revenge" DLC, and said that Warner Bros. and Rocksteady suggested that he take work elsewhere if offered. He added that he had taken on other projects that would prevent his involvement until 2013.[69] In February 2013, it was reported that a new game in the Batman Arkham franchise would be released in 2013, and that Rocksteady would not be acting as the developer.[70]

Development of Batman: Arkham Origins began in late 2011 by Canadian development studio Warner Bros. Games Montréal (WB Montréal), and the game was officially announced on April 9, 2013.[71][67] The studio previously worked on the Wii U adaptation of Batman: Arkham City, which allowed them to familiarise themselves with the modified Unreal Engine 3 development engine utilized by Rocksteady, developer of the first two Arkham games. WB Montréal opted not to heavily modify the established combat system, believing it already worked well, but are introducing new enemy types to provide opportunities to use new tactics and combat moves to defeat opponents. Rocksteady provided advice on the technology, game mechanics and engine, but WB Montréal was allowed to develop the story independently. The plot was partly inspired by the comic book series Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight, and the graphic novel Batman: Year One detailing the first year of Batman's career, with Arkham Origins being described as a "Year Two" story.[67] Parts of the plot, such as Batman's relationships with the Joker, Gordon and the game's Christmas setting, were also partly inspired by Batman: The Man Who Laughs, Batman: Turning Points and Batman: The Long Halloween, respectively.[72] The story is written by Dooma Wendschuh and Corey May with input from DC Comics and comic book writer Geoff Johns.[4] Eric Holmes serves as Arkham Origins creative director.[73][7] Explaining the decision to develop a prequel story, Holmes said that the Batman of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City was comparable to his contemporary mainstream comic counterpart - a fully formed and experienced character - but Arkham Origins can explore Batman different aspects of the character such as his lack of experience, and greater vulnerability.[71] The game was considered to be 80% complete by January 2013, and WB Montréal used remaining development time to refine the final product.[43]

It was initially reported that veteran Batman voice actor Kevin Conroy would not return to voice the character, with the developers opting for a younger voice to correlate with the early career of Batman.[74] In May 2013, Roger Craig Smith was announced as the voice of Batman, and Troy Baker as the Joker.[16][75] Conroy stated at the 2013 Dallas Comic Con that he had been working on "the next Arkham", leading to rampant speculation that he would reprise his role as Batman in Arkham Origins.[76] In June 2013, it was confirmed that Conroy did not have a role in Arkham Origins.[77] In July 2013, it was announced that Arkham Origins would be the first game in the Arkham series to feature multiplayer gameplay. The multiplayer was produced by independent British developer Splash Damage under creative director Alastair Cornish, separately from WB Montréal's work on the main game. The Wii U version of the game does not feature multiplayer, with Warner Bros. stating that the team was focused on the platforms with the largest multiplayer audience.[1][78]

Design

Holmes described the choice of a Christmas setting as a purposeful juxtaposition between the joyful time of year and the grim world of Gotham City, such as decorative Santas by gothic gargoyles, and Christmas lights offering dim lighting in dark alleyways. The city itself was described as a place dislodged from time and space, featuring 1930's stylized and older buildings contrasted with Batman's futuristic technology beyond even modern gadgets. The New Gotham area of the game was designed for vertical movement, allowing the placement of enemies at different heights above and below Batman to create areas dense with activity.[13] The game world features a high-contrast of darks and lights with few balancing colors, and exaggerated shadows. The city was broken down into assorted neighborhood zones like residential, industrial and commercial. To fit the Christmas theme, the zones were then decorated according to their type, so the industrial setting features little reference to Christmas, the commercial area has corporate decorations, and residential areas have lights in the windows.[63][79]

In designing the less-experienced Batman's outfit, the designers aimed to make it look "assembled versus manufactured" as if pieced together from various individual parts.[63][79] Holmes said, "[Batman's suit is] not something that was made in a factory. He's taken pieces of tech either he's invented, he's fabricated or things from the Wayne facilities, and he has made this costume out of these pieces."[80] To emphasize the mystery and fear instilled by Batman in the early stage of his career, art director Jeremy Price and the design team made greater use of silhouettes and film noir-style low-key lighting to make the character more imposing.[63][79] The name "Batman" is intentionally used sparingly in the game to emphasize his urban legend status and the lack of understanding about the character.[71] It was considered that Batman would make mistakes because of his inexperience such as missing with batarangs or tripping, but this idea was quickly discarded as counter to the fantasy of being Batman. The focus of inexperience instead was placed on the character's personality in learning how to be the city's protector and deal with his obsession with vengeance.[23][81] In designing Batman's abilities and gadgets, gameplay took precedence over narrative consistency with the previous games in the series, believing removing features that players had already experienced in those games would make playing as Arkham Origins Batman less empowering.[41]

Holmes acknowledged that Black Mask is not as well known as some of Batman's other rogues such as the Joker and Penguin, and said that extra work was required to provide enough characterization to make him interesting and scary.[40] Black Mask was considered the appropriate antagonist for Batman's early career because of his practical nature. The character serves as a transition between the typical criminals Batman has been facing, and the neurotic and quirky super villains that he is yet to confront.[82] The team decided to make Arkham Origins' Copperhead female, as opposed to the comics male character, with input from Johns. The contortionist character required three motion capture actors to animate: a stunt woman, a Cirque du Soleil performer, and a martial artist. This version of Copperhead will be added to series in DC Comics' The New 52 following the game's release, because DC Comics liked the take on the character.[45] Anarky, an anti-villain thematically based on anarchist philosophy, was updated in his appearance for the game, being designed as a street protester with a gang resembling a social movement. The character would attempt to appeal to Batman for a partnership, as he is not necessarily evil, but as Holmes expressed, "is multidimensional in the Batman Universe."[83] The contemporary popularity of anti-corporate and anti-government protest movements was a factor in the choice to include the character in the game,[84] and Holmes judged that of all of the villains presented in the game, the key element that distinguished Anarky was this timely relevance.[85] The developers drew upon Anarky stories in the late 1980s by Alan Grant and Norm Breyfogle for his characterization.[86] Each main story boss is designed to reinforce the players mastery over a specific game mechanic, such as Deathstroke whose battle focuses on countering attacks. The assassins selected for the game were chosen partly because each possesses abilities that could challenge these game mechanics.[43] The boss fights took inspiration from Arkham City's battle against Mr. Freeze, which tasked players with exploring the full range of Batman's strategies and abilities to overcome the villain.[23]

The "Detective Vision" crime scenes were designed to be brief, visually rewarding and fun segments rather than challenging or confusing experiences that encouraged players to seek out the solution online. The designers experimented to find the right amount of time the scenes would last, such as seeing how many pieces of evidence players wanted to scan before they had a solution, eventually settling on two to three minutes.[20] Predator areas - levels where Batman stalks enemies from the shadows - underwent multiple iterations to provide variety and challenge. For example, the theatre aboard Penguin's ship was gradually shrunk in size to pack enemies closer together, and a hovering drone was removed completely as test players resorted to repetitive tactics to overcome it.[43] A dynamic weather system was implemented during development that could alter gameplay, such as wind and snow combining to reduce visibility and render sniper enemies more vulnerable to Batman's stealth. The idea was discarded due to the feature not being completed within the available development time.[17]

Release

Batman: Arkham Origins was released worldwide on October 25, 2013 for the Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Wii U platforms.[73] A week before its scheduled release in Europe, the retail Microsoft Windows and Wii U versions were delayed until November 8, 2013.[87] In addition, the companion game, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate was released alongside Arkham Origins for the Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation Vita.[73] A spin-off beat 'em up game also titled Batman: Arkham Origins was developed by NetherRealm Studios for iOS and Android handheld platforms. The iOS version was released on October 16, 2013, and the Android version is scheduled for release in late 2013. NetherRealm Studios had previously developed Batman: Arkham City Lockdown, a spin-off to Arkham City.[88][89] The brawler sees players using touchscreen controls to fight enemies one-on-one, including villains such as Bane and Deathstroke. Defeating enemies earns points that can be used to upgrade Batman's stats or unlock gadgets and costumes. Additionally, costumes unlocked in the game can unlock costumes in the console version and vice versa.[90][91][92]

Coinciding with Arkham Origins' United Kingdom launch, fans got the chance to meet voice actors Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker at Stratford's GAME retailer.[93] A digital comic book of the same name will be released alongside the game. The comic will be the first of DC Comics' DC2 Multiverse initiative, featuring dynamic artwork and sound, and the ability to make choices while reading that modify how the story progresses, with multiple outcomes possible.[94] A series of action figures based on characters from the game, and a functional life-size grapnel gun replica were released in October 2013 by DC Collectibles and NECA, respectively.[95][96]

Retail editions

The PlayStation 3 edition of the game exclusively features the Knightfall DLC pack containing alternate Batman outfits based on the character's design in the 1960s TV series and Azrael's Batsuit, from the "Knightfall" story arc (1993). The pack also contains five challenge maps based on "Knightfall" that task Batman with defeating Bane and the inmates of Blackgate prison: "Azrael Does Not Protect", "City On Fire", "No Rest For The Wicked", "Venom Connection", and "Turning Point".[97][98][99] The UK, Australian and New Zealand Collector's Edition contains a steelbook game case and a 30 cm statue of Batman and Joker.[100][101] The North American Collector's Edition and the Australian and New Zealand Definitive Edition contains a light-up statue of the Joker, a Batman "Wanted Poster", Batwing prototype schematic, Anarky logo stencil, glow-in-the-dark map of Gotham City and a Wayne Family photo. The North American version also contains the 2013 DC Comics super villain documentary Necessary Evil. All regions also get an 80-page hardback art book, dossier files based around the in-game assassins, the Deathstroke DLC, and the "First Appearance" skin, based on Batman's first appearance in Detective Comics #27. The PlayStation 3 version additionally contains the Knightfall content. The two editions were exclusively released for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[100][101][102]

Additional content

Deathstroke is available as a playable character usable in all of the game's challenge maps, and featuring his own unique weapons and abilities,[103] such as: regenerating health and super strength, a rifle-staff with a built-in grapple, a sword, explosives, firearms, and his own version of "Detective Vision", called "Tactical Vision".[24][104][105] The Deathstroke pack, available as a pre-order bonus, includes two alternate outfits including designs worn by the character in the video game Injustice: Gods Among Us (2013) and the 1984 storyline "The Judas Contract" and two challenge maps, "No Money Down" and "100 to 1".[104] GameStop offered two exclusive Black Mask challenge maps as a pre-order bonus, as well as the Joker's Vandal Online Vanity and Bane's Forces Online Vanity packs for use in multiplayer mode, with the latter being available during the first four days after the game's release.[106] Bruce Wayne is playable in the Initiation pack, containing challenge maps that feature the character before he becomes Batman, as he trains under his ninjutsu mentor Kirigi in an Asian monastery[25][107]

A variety of alternate outfits for Batman and Robin were made available. Batman's skins include suit designs worn in Arkham City, Batman: Dark Knight of the Round Table, Batman: Earth One, Batman Incorporated, Batman: The Animated Series, Batman: Year One, Brightest Day, The Dark Knight Returns, "DC One Million", Gotham by Gaslight, The Long Halloween, Red Son, Thrillkiller, and the "First Appearance" design. Additional skins include his Sinestro Corps suit, Neal Adams' depiction of the character from the 1970s, the classic Earth-Two design, the Earth 2 design from The New 52, and the "Worst Nightmare" outfit, an original design based on how criminals perceive Batman, which is available after completing the game.[45][108][109][110][111] Robin's skins include Tim Drake's first and second Robin costumes, his Red Robin costume, the designs from Batman: The Animated Series and Arkham City, and a slightly altered version of the default Arkham Origins costume.[110][112]

Reception

Batman: Arkham Origins was displayed for the public at the 2013 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3), and received two nominations from the Game Critics Awards for Best Action/Adventure Game and Best Console Game.[120] The game was also recognized at the event for: "Best Videogame" by Forbes;[121] "Best Action Game" by Game Informer;[122] "Best Comic Book-Related Game" by Newsarama;[123] and "Best Xbox 360 Game" by IGN.[124]

Batman: Arkham Origins received positive reviews. Aggregating review websites GameRankings and Metacritic gave the Xbox 360 version 80.45% and 79/100,[113][116] the PlayStation 3 version 75.33% and 75/100,[114][117] and the PC version 78.00% and 78/100.[115][118]

Music

The score for Arkham Origins is composed by Christopher Drake,[5] replacing Ron Fish and Nick Arundel who composed the scores for Arkham Asylum and Arkham City.[125] The score was partly inspired by that of the 1988 action film Die Hard, also set during Christmas, which features sleigh bells mixed into its soundtrack to punctuate specific moments.[59] Drake stated that as the game was a prequel, it allowed him more freedom in the score, while still sticking to "the DNA" of Batman music. He added that while the previous scores were more elegant and orchestral, he chose to use more electronic elements. Drake approached the cinematic scenes like scoring traditionally for film, with the design team describing the scenes to him over the phone, as he works out of Burbank, California. The in-game music was created with different layers, which activate when an action occurs, such as Batman entering a location, or beginning a fight, and can be added or subtracted together, depending on what is occurring. Drake was hopeful the in-game music would not become tedious, as those sections are all about timing, and needs to work at different time lengths, depending on how long the player takes to complete the given task.[126]

Score

Untitled

The Batman: Arkham Origins – Original Video Game Score was released by WaterTower Music on October 22, 2013 and features 32 tracks composed for the game.[5]

All music is composed by Christopher Drake, except where noted

Track
No.TitleLength
1."Arkham Origins Main Titles"2:52
2."The Night Before Christmas"2:07
3."Black Mask Escapes"0:47
4."Killer Croc"2:03
5."Croc Arrest"1:01
6."Batwing Storm Damage"0:39
7."Assassins"2:41
8."Weapons Deal"1:04
9."The Final Offer"1:32
10."Deathstroke"4:06
11."Winter Comes to Gotham"2:07
12."Carol of the Bells (Joker's Theme)"1:29
13."G.C.P.D."2:14
14."Can't You Just Play Along?"2:08
15."Merchant Bank Escape"1:15
16."Copperhead"1:30
17."Hallucinations"2:57
18."Snake in a Box"0:40
19."Night Patrol"2:03
20."Regent Hotel"1:56
21."Bane"2:29
22."Why Would You Save...Me?"1:28
23."The Thieving Magpie" (Overture from Gioachino Rossini's La gazza ladra)2:01
24."The Bridge"1:10
25."Firefly"6:00
26."I Have Left Enough Life in Him for Some Final Words... If You Hurry"1:24
27."Allies"3:04
28."Electric Chair"1:40
29."One of Us Will Die"1:09
30."Shadow of the Bat"2:10
31."Arkham Origins End Titles"1:49
32."Arkham Origins Suite"2:16
Total length:1:03:51

References

Notes
  1. ^ In some European countries, the retail Microsoft Windows and Wii U versions will release on November 8, 2013.[87]
References
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Journals

External links

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