Batman: Arkham Origins is out today for those of you don’t want a physical Pc copy or actually play on the Wii U. It’s a prequel top the previous games, and progenitor Rocksteady has passed on the reins. It’s now under the helm of a new studio, Warner Bros Montreal. Is it any good, or does it wallow in familiarity.
Here’s what critics have to say of the game:
- CVG: 7/10 – Batman still owns the night, but he’s lacking the edge that made his previous games so unforgettable.
- Eurogamer: 7/10 – What Batman: Arkham Origins really recaptures is the solid middle of an Arkham game – the combat, the traversal, the little stealth arenas, the open-world puzzles and side missions – without really offering any highs.
- IGN: 7.8/10 – Arkham Origins is a bit of a disappointment in its lack of new ideas and use of win buttons, making it the least interesting of the trilogy. But as excuses to dive back into the excellent free-flowing combat and predator takedowns go, this story isn’t bad.
- Game Informer: 8.5/10 – Batman: Arkham Origins delivers more of what made Rocksteady’s games great, but doesn’t break new ground. Like a youthful Bruce Wayne, it isn’t as crafty, and it takes its dings during combat, but still puts on a hell of a show when it needs to.
- GamesRadar: 4/5 – Arkham City was big, and in trying to match that size, Arkham Origins strains under the pressure, ending as an extremely fun, flawed journey into an empty Gotham.
- GameSpot: 6/10 – In the absence of new elements, the tried-and-true free-flow combat and predator mechanics feel routine rather than inspired. Origins is worth experiencing for the way it sets the stage for the events of the other Arkham games, but it also resides squarely in their shadows
- OXM: 8/10 – It doesn’t bring many new tricks to the table, but Origins is still thoroughly entertaining. It does, however, beg the eternal question – why do these people still insist on living near Gotham City?
- OPM: 8/10 – Origins isn’t entirely a step up for the series – more a step on, that adds enough and expands in the right places to make this feel like a proper entry into the franchise rather than a simple mechanical sequel.
- Polygon: 7/10 – It’s built on a solid foundation but it doesn’t take the world’s greatest detective to see that something significant is missing.
- Videogamer: 8/10 – Ultimately, this is like a cover song done by a band you’re quite fond of. It may never be better than the original, but it’s a great addition.
It is not the greatest Batman game ever made, it’s just a tribute. that seems to be the general consensus; it’s really more of the same, just missing the spark that made the first games so good. The boss fights are pretty good though!
We got our own copy a little earlier this week – just not in time time to do the sort of comprehensive review you deserve – so we’ll have that for you next week.
Instead, watch these videos of Darryn playing the game.
Last Updated: October 25, 2013
Admiral Chief Ninja
October 25, 2013 at 13:38
heh, tribute
Spathi
October 26, 2013 at 10:56
Tenacious D FTW!
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 25, 2013 at 13:49
I’ve always found it funny when reviewers complain about the sequel to a good game not being different or innovative enough. Sometimes I don’t know what they expect.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
October 25, 2013 at 13:59
This is different though; so much recycled assets, some fights are with the same characters in the exact same rooms as the last game.
sometimes innovation isn’t all that necessary – but don’t give people the exact same thing.
SaintsRowNigri
October 25, 2013 at 14:03
But does a game like that deserve a score above 6.5? Or are we all going to suffer from Call of Dutiengitis?
Alien Emperor Trevor
October 25, 2013 at 14:04
No I know, it’s just sometimes reading these things it seems like the reviewer was hoping for a side-scrolling RTS because that would be different.
It’s not really what they say, it’s how they’re saying it heh.
Skyblue
October 25, 2013 at 14:20
And then sometimes we the mess that was C&C 4. I will never forgive them for that game.
ElimiNathan
October 25, 2013 at 14:32
Damn thats bad
Umar heartless
October 25, 2013 at 14:41
Hmm, sequel doesn’t mean they can just rehash the same game. Origins looks really the same as AC. Don’t have tp reinvent the wheel but you have to at lease improve or bring something new to the table
Dean
October 25, 2013 at 13:49
Suppose they couldn’t remember the greatest Batman game ever made, that’s why it’s just a tribute.
Skyblue
October 25, 2013 at 14:24
This was the greatest Batman game ever made, at least before Arkham Asylum.
AngryBatman
October 25, 2013 at 14:10
How PC users feel 😉
Purple_Dragon
October 25, 2013 at 14:41
Not sure about prequels, God of War Ascension was also not as good as previous games.
Soldier
October 25, 2013 at 21:05
This game sucks compared to the first two, and you STILL can’t fly the Bat-plane or Drive the Bat-Mobile. What the heck? This is the 3rd entry and we still can’t do other stuff in the game.
Papermillz
October 25, 2013 at 22:56
I think I agree with the general consensus. Good, not great. Felt like a bit of a retread of Arkham City, but good boss fights. As a weird side note, my Lab Acid controller I got from http://www.thecontrollershop.com (good buy btw) now makes me think of the Joker every time I look at it.