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Be the Batman in Arkham Knight

3 min read
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Arkham

Fans, myself included, were largely underwhelmed with Arkham Origins when it was first released. It’s not that the narrative was lacking – because it wasn’t – but rather that it was perhaps a little too familiar. Within that familiarity though was a problem. While it looked much the same as the last one, it just felt slightly off. Arkham Knight, too,  brings with it the air of familiarity…only it feels perfect.

As as the demo began, it was instantly familiar, with Kevin Conroy’s Batman standing over Gotham. What’s immediately striking though, is the resplendent level of detail that permeates everything. Next gen rain lashes against Batman’s tech-augmented, upgraded batsuit. It’s now segmented, allowing for greater degrees of movement. You can see the wind rippling under his cape as he glides, fine nicks and scratches on his metallic armour, and the fine mesh in his cowl.

BatSmash

Naturally, Commissioner Gordon is need of a little assistance. An Ace Chemicals plant has been invaded and taken over by the titular Arkham Knight. He and his army of goons have captured a couple of plant workers and wreaked havoc within the plant. A character of Rocksteady’s own design,The Arkham Knight presents himself as the Batman’s greatest threat. Following the return of the Scarecrow, he sets out to torment the great detective on a long Halloween night that will take the adventure out in to Gotham’s deserted streets.

So the Arkham Knight has an army, but Batman has something else; The Batmobile. While it’s primary use is for getting around Gotham’s huge city – 5 times the size of Arkham City –  it also comes in to play in combat, exploration and puzzle solving. Players are able to remotely control the Batmobile, summoning it for use a vehicle from just about anywhere in Gotham. He can then, either from within its cockpit, or via remote control, use it to blow holes in walls, use its winch to pull down bits of the environment or use it to hail rubber bullets (Batman’s still averse to killing people) on unsuspecting foes.

Battlemode

Of course, it can – and will – be used offensively as well, with its guns and rockets useful in destroying the remote-controlled drone tanks that pepper the environment. A simple button press and the Batmobile rather beautifully transitions from being a vehicle designed for transport, to a tank in its own right.

You can even use the Batmobile as part of your free-flow combat, using its guns as part of your expanded arsenal, and adding to the inventive ways you can expand on your combos. New environmental takedowns add to the combat system, allowing the already refined system to flow with a new brutality.

Batman’s stealthy approach has been augmented with a new system of Fear Takedowns. It allows Batman to take out up to three foes that are in close proximity. Spring out from the shadows and you’ll frighten the wits out of all three, allowing you to take them all out in rapid succession, one after the other as the game  slows time.

It’s ultimately familiar, but refined to perfection – with the added sheen afforded by its forsaking the old consoles. I was frankly in awe at the minutiae; the level of detail in the smallest things. It’s the minutiae I’m looking most forward to losing myself in.

Last Updated: August 19, 2014

49 Comments

  1. Umar Ver 1.OBJECTION

    August 19, 2014 at 09:08

    Hands-off?

    Reply

  2. Umar Ver 1.OBJECTION

    August 19, 2014 at 09:09

    Sorry I saw the tag. but wanted to ask, how’s the handling of the bat mobile?

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 19, 2014 at 09:13

      Doesn’t need handling, you just drive over everyone.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Assassin

        August 19, 2014 at 09:18

        Agreed

        Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      August 19, 2014 at 09:13

      It handles differently depending on which mode you’re in. In pursuit mode, it’s fast as all hell, but not great at precision movement. in battle mode, you can strafe around everywhere, good for lock on aiming, and for small movement.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Assassin

        August 19, 2014 at 09:19

        Small movement? Oh, when Darryn is moving about, nm, got it!

        Reply

      • Umar Ver 1.OBJECTION

        August 19, 2014 at 09:25

        Nice,interesting 🙂 Thanx

        Reply

  3. Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

    August 19, 2014 at 09:10

    But what happens if I decide to shoot people with the rockets on the batmobile?

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Assassin

      August 19, 2014 at 09:11

      Airbags will deploy around the foes, knocking them unconscious with the force of the rocket-bag

      Reply

      • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

        August 19, 2014 at 09:16

        that would be comical

        Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      August 19, 2014 at 09:22

      bullets will be nonlethal against humans, always.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Assassin

        August 19, 2014 at 09:31

        Rockets?

        Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        August 19, 2014 at 09:33

        Probably rubber bullets. Like he used in the tank in Dark Knight Returns

        Reply

        • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

          August 19, 2014 at 09:33

          I asked about the rockets 🙁 The car has rockets for drones. So what happens if I use the rockets against people?

          Reply

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2014 at 09:34

            Yeah but Geoff said bullets, Maybe the rockets have rubber shrapnel?

          • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

            August 19, 2014 at 09:37

            “and will – be used offensively as well, with its guns and rockets useful in destroying the remote-controlled drone tanks that pepper the environment”

            rockets

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            August 19, 2014 at 11:05

            Cover your rocket in rubber for safety? What exactly are we talking about? O_o

            Although it couldn’t be worse than Green Arrow’s boxing glove arrow.

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2014 at 11:19

            LOL!

      • Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

        August 19, 2014 at 09:33

        But the car has rockets. What happens if I pepper them all with rockets? These rockets aren’t rubber too are they?

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          August 19, 2014 at 09:33

          You seem very concerned for the criminals, is there something we should know?

          Reply

  4. Hammersteyn

    August 19, 2014 at 09:12

    I’d like a game where you play as the Joker and you commit crime and murder plus you have to evade or outsmart Batman. Bonus stages can include you beating up Jason Todd with a crowbar.

    Reply

    • Sk3tz0

      August 19, 2014 at 09:14

      Play GTA 5.. 😛 i pretend im the joker in that game when i play as Trevor

      Reply

      • Hammersteyn

        August 19, 2014 at 09:15

        But who’s Batman in GTAV. Surely not the cops.

        Reply

        • Sk3tz0

          August 19, 2014 at 09:16

          We Killed The Batman… ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 19, 2014 at 09:18

            🙂

    • Sith JJ

      August 19, 2014 at 09:36

      I would love a Joker game.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Assassin

        August 19, 2014 at 09:46

        Log in to your banking app, that is always good for a laugh

        Reply

        • Sith JJ

          August 19, 2014 at 09:46

          I refrain from having a banking app. No need to take misery with me wherever I go.

          Reply

        • Sgt. M

          August 19, 2014 at 13:56

          This!

          Reply

  5. Rinceable

    August 19, 2014 at 09:16

    SO much win!

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 19, 2014 at 09:19

      Rocksteady should try and make a Justice League game next, but it might be a little to ambitious. Even for them.

      Reply

      • Sk3tz0

        August 19, 2014 at 09:22

        Or they can make a R Rated Ultra Violent Punisher game.

        Reply

        • Hammersteyn

          August 19, 2014 at 09:31

          The side scroller from the arcades where you play along side Nick Furry is probably the best Punisher game ever

          Reply

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            August 19, 2014 at 09:57

            Play alongside WHO? O_O

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2014 at 09:59

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            August 19, 2014 at 10:01

            One R – these are furrys 😉

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 19, 2014 at 10:01

            No way am I refreshing!

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2014 at 10:04

            O_o

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 19, 2014 at 10:01

            AGAIN, what is it with you and the furry

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 19, 2014 at 10:01

            Furry?

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2014 at 10:03

            FFS! Yeah I’m a dumbass

        • Norm

          August 19, 2014 at 15:32

          YES!

          Reply

  6. Xcalibersa

    August 19, 2014 at 09:25

    Can not wait

    Reply

  7. Sith JJ

    August 19, 2014 at 09:38

    Please, just don’t give us an empty city.

    Reply

  8. Sith JJ

    August 19, 2014 at 09:41

    But I wanna BE the Arkham Knight. He looks so cool.

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      August 19, 2014 at 09:57

      That’s why you can’t be him. BOOM!

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Assassin

        August 19, 2014 at 10:01

        Apply cold water…

        Reply

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