| 29 March 2010
I'm 10% of the way into one of the most disputed games of 2009; some (including esteemed Easy Mode contributor Steve) though it was the best game to be released last year, while others (like esteemed Easy Mode editor Tyler) sent it back to GameFly before finishing it.
There are a few things that immediately strike me about the game. First of all, there's this weird sheen to everything, and it feels like Joker ran through the game spraying baby oil all over Arkham like it was a bodybuilder's glistening chest. Secondly, some of the controls take a bit of adjustment. The crouch button is mapped to the right trigger, which I usually associate with some sort of action command. Lastly, I'm not a big fan of the game's "detective mode", which based on my experience so far with this game, is better termed "make everything easier mode". This mode lets you see hidden clues and easily spot bad guys, even through walls. It does one thing well, which is overwhelm you with the sense that Batman is totally in control at all times.
One thing I do like is the variety of enemies and characters - it's basically a comic fan's wet dream. I haven't read that many Batman comics, but I like the richness of the Batman universe and I'm glad there's so much to see in this game.
Steve mentioned to me during yesterday's podcast that many of Batman's abilities will unlock in time, and that I'll be able to re-traverse Arkham Asylum with new places to explore. As it stands now, I'm easily frustrated when I see a security door or vent that I can't reach just yet. It feels out of place in the game; shouldn't Batman have all of his skills by now? I'm planning on giving it the college try and seeing it through to the end, and I have a feeling that it'll be a much more rewarding experience for me soon.
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