Written by: PlayDevil.com Staff

 

 

 

It has been a long time since I last visited the world of Batman. The first game Batman: Arkham Asylum shocked, managing within its third-person gameplay to capture much of the stealth, combat and fiction that has allowed the character to endure for so many decades. But as much as I loved the first game I felt no great impetus to return to its Gothic halls after completion. I wanted more story and a new world to explore. So I was excited to hear that the new Batman: Arkham City was to continue the story, and eager to explore the newly introduced open world environment.

 

Thus walking in to the demo room initially came as something of a disappointment. My short time with the Batman: Arkham City was not to be spent exploring the new world or the narrative; instead I was to play challenge maps. More concerned as I was the story, these arenas were little more than distractions for me in the first game but these challenges (which focus on either combat or stealth) did prove a fine environment to demonstrate Batman's new skills and abilities.

 

Evolution was the word constantly being used by Rocksteady’s representative as I bumbled my way through the stealth and combat sections missions. My mind seemed to be resisting any attempt to assimilate the controls but there was some good humoured mocking as I struggled to remind myself of the game’s nuisances as I attempted one of the predator (stealth) challenges. New intricacies were clear even in my incapable hands, though I struggled to apply them to any affect. Trophies and achievements set additional challenges, and at the behest of my patient guide I attempted to try to complete them. A simple double tap to the left on the d-pad saw me equip smoke grandees, and holding down L1 displayed a throwing arch. I tapped R2, only to throw the grenade at my feet, shocked at this turn of events I fell from the roof I was concealed on and proceeded to be riddled with bullets.

 

Starting another attempt proved more successful as I zipped around the roof. Slowly long forgotten mental control schemes resurfaced in my mind, rusty but functional. Performing and inverted take down I swung to a new vantage point and watched as my unfortunate victim struggled upside down for freedom. Again my guide had a request; use the new RAC (a ranged bat-taser device) to stun my prey. Successful in my attempt the shocked victim fired uncontrollably in to the air. Still fumbling with the controls I failed to take advantage so lined up for another shot hopping to capitalize on a second attempt. In an untimely example of the more aware AI my victim ducked out of the way, and followed the attack to its point of origin, opening fire and killing me again.

 

It was at this point my guide offered to show me a bit of what I was missing, giving him the controller he agilely reminded me just how Batman should behave. Expertly he began to utilize all of the tools on offer to take out the opponents around him, swooping through the air with more grace than I recall being possible in the previous game. In moments it was over, and I began to remember the sense of power I felt in Asylum when I was master of it.

 

In a vein hope of reclaiming some dignity attempted the combat arena challenge. Instantly clown faced opponents filled the screen and I was moving through them, here at least my fumbling did not completely work against me as I tore through the first round of enemies. Dramatic leaps and flourishes gave me a satisfying sense of power. Then the greater intricacies of the combat began to reveal themselves to me again. Parries and blocks remained a vital component and slowly I began to see just how the new combat system has evolved. Simultaneously countering multiple opponents became an instantly satisfying addition as two clown faced thugs fell before me.

 

Overconfidence flooded through me, as I cut a swathe through the thugs, a misplaced sense of skill growing within just before my inevitable downfall at the hands of a knife-waving thug. After a few falls I began to see what was needed. Holding the parry button (triangle in the case of this PS3 version) saw Batman retreat backwards way from the attack. Successful in the first step I launched and attack only to be blocked, these larger opponents it seemed required a little more to take down, a 'beat down' was necessary. After another deft knife avoidance I launched in to this new addition to Batman's fist based arsenal, and he viciously beat the living tar out of the unfortunate face-painted freak.

 

It was satisfying up until one of the lesser opponents made their way behind be and remove my last piece of health with a kick to my distracted back. It was a lesson that I had struggled to learn throughout my short time with the demo, that along with fists, stealth and gadgets; a constant awareness of the environment would constantly necessary. It was a fact that had slipped my mind but which excited me as I contemplated the new open world of Arkham City.

 

Though I was far from proficient, my excitement was peaked more than ever by my short time with the game, and while it was already a must buy, this simply ensured I would have the money on hand when it releases for PC, PS3 and 360 this October.