Kabuki Waq
Member
argh why teh fuck did the have to use XP in this. I hope this doesnt turn out to be too human
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New Batman: Arkham Asylum Screens (End of Summer delay confirmed)
- Thread starter Blablurn
- Start date
revolverjgw
Member
ign said:
Next gen begins now
Spike Spiegel
Member
The whole "eye whites" thing a couple pages back reminded me of this:
720p trailer is now up at Gamersyde : http://gamersyde.com/news_7492_en.html
Interesting bits that have been posted on last page. So basically the right trigger triggers stealth mode. Seems Assassin's Creedey, and this was one of the things I liked about it.
Also I'd like to see how they think they can make a 1 vs 15-20 fight not look completely illogical, ie without having them all in a circle around you waiting for you to hit them or only attacking one at a time.
Because that's usually what happens.
Interesting bits that have been posted on last page. So basically the right trigger triggers stealth mode. Seems Assassin's Creedey, and this was one of the things I liked about it.
Also I'd like to see how they think they can make a 1 vs 15-20 fight not look completely illogical, ie without having them all in a circle around you waiting for you to hit them or only attacking one at a time.
Because that's usually what happens.
******* write-up here: http://www.*******.com/2009/02/02/*******-impressions-batman-arkham-asylum/
Edit: Well shit, I forgot they were banned. This one is from Sorrowstiq.com
Before we knew it, we were getting our first glimpse of the game's hand-to-hand combat. Batman was surrounded by several thugs and the Warner Bros. rep piloting the demo was able to dispatch them stylishly using simple direction / attack button combinations. Enemies also telegraph the fact that they're about to attack by means of blue sparks above their heads; if you time your attacks properly, Batman executes a reversal. Frankly, while flashy, the combat looked fairly routine.
Zooming in on characters in this mode (Detective mode) reveals info about them, including their names and even their heart rate. Every character in the game has a unique name and, to some extent, backstory. It was clear that the guards Batman was looking at were gravely concerned about their co-worker, as indicated by rapid heart rates.
The final area we were shown was meant to demonstrate some of the game's more open-ended scenarios (which will include "large" outdoor areas). Batman entered a large room occupied by several gun-wielding thugs. Entering "silent predator mode," he was able to sneak about the room, quietly opening ventilation covers and the like. For the purpose of the demo, we were shown a skill purchase defeating enemies rewards Batman with XP, which can be spent on new moves and weapon upgrades which was, in this case, let him hang upside-down from a perch and silently snap up and enemy. He then strung him up, creating a human lure.
As the other enemies took notice of their comrade's predicament, Batman used the situation to take them out one at a time (this the warehouse sequence from Batman Begins). He dropped down onto one, knocking him unconscious. He quietly popped open a floor panel and snuck up behind another, silently yanking him down. -Fuck yes.
Using the detective mode's X-Ray vision, he tracked another thug who was emitting "whiskey fumes" according to the screen (there's a visible trail, and this element will evidently factor more heavily into later gameplay) but this time Batman was spotted. Rather than risk death going up against an armed enemy, he used his grappling gun to break his foe's line of site in a decidedly Assassin's Creed moment. -Confirms that we can use the grappling gun during combat for a quick escape and re-evaluation of the current situation, awesome.
We saw Batarangs used several times (holding the "throw" button follows their flight, much like the glaive from Dark Sector) and were told that Batman will utilize other tools, including an aerosol explosive for breaking through walls and even fingerprint analysis.
Edit: Well shit, I forgot they were banned. This one is from Sorrowstiq.com
Before we knew it, we were getting our first glimpse of the game's hand-to-hand combat. Batman was surrounded by several thugs and the Warner Bros. rep piloting the demo was able to dispatch them stylishly using simple direction / attack button combinations. Enemies also telegraph the fact that they're about to attack by means of blue sparks above their heads; if you time your attacks properly, Batman executes a reversal. Frankly, while flashy, the combat looked fairly routine.
Zooming in on characters in this mode (Detective mode) reveals info about them, including their names and even their heart rate. Every character in the game has a unique name and, to some extent, backstory. It was clear that the guards Batman was looking at were gravely concerned about their co-worker, as indicated by rapid heart rates.
The final area we were shown was meant to demonstrate some of the game's more open-ended scenarios (which will include "large" outdoor areas). Batman entered a large room occupied by several gun-wielding thugs. Entering "silent predator mode," he was able to sneak about the room, quietly opening ventilation covers and the like. For the purpose of the demo, we were shown a skill purchase defeating enemies rewards Batman with XP, which can be spent on new moves and weapon upgrades which was, in this case, let him hang upside-down from a perch and silently snap up and enemy. He then strung him up, creating a human lure.
As the other enemies took notice of their comrade's predicament, Batman used the situation to take them out one at a time (this the warehouse sequence from Batman Begins). He dropped down onto one, knocking him unconscious. He quietly popped open a floor panel and snuck up behind another, silently yanking him down. -Fuck yes.
Using the detective mode's X-Ray vision, he tracked another thug who was emitting "whiskey fumes" according to the screen (there's a visible trail, and this element will evidently factor more heavily into later gameplay) but this time Batman was spotted. Rather than risk death going up against an armed enemy, he used his grappling gun to break his foe's line of site in a decidedly Assassin's Creed moment. -Confirms that we can use the grappling gun during combat for a quick escape and re-evaluation of the current situation, awesome.
We saw Batarangs used several times (holding the "throw" button follows their flight, much like the glaive from Dark Sector) and were told that Batman will utilize other tools, including an aerosol explosive for breaking through walls and even fingerprint analysis.
Revolutionary
Member
Nice impressions.
Sounds awesome.
Can't wait for this one!
Sounds awesome.
Can't wait for this one!
Blackace
if you see me in a fight with a bear, don't help me fool, help the bear!
_tetsuo_ said:
I'm certain it was a conscious decision on Hamill's part to rework his voice for this particular take on the Joker. I think the changes suit the character perfectly from what we've seen so far, and I don't think his original Batman: The Animated Series voice would have meshed so well with the Joker of the game.
From a VA perspective, there's always going to be a tug of war between the cartoon and the game when combining the same actors with such wildly different visual styles. To have Batman look so different, yet sound exactly like his animated counterpart, puts a bit more Bruce Wayne into the character. The voice balances out the art direction, and smoothes off the rougher edges of the design. But with the Joker, the old voice combined with the new visuals might well have sounded too clean and too young. The Joker design of the game seems much older, and much grittier. More like a madder version of Jack Nicholson's Joker - more of a seasoned crime lord, and rougher than the sprightly, pretentious, debonair character of TAS.
I apologize in advance for what you're about to see.
I came across this and just had to share it with you guys. It seems that someone felt the need to compare Batman: Arkham Asylum to Killzone 2. http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Batman-Vs-KillZone-2-Super-HD-Comparison-14964.html
"Surprisingly enough, I would have to give the edge to Batman: Arkham Asylum. While it seems like it wouldnt stand a chance against KZ2, the game actually has extremely clear-cut texture work in the large images you can actually see the vinyl layers in Batman's suit and theres no fuzzy gauze on the screen. Then again, Im sure the haze is used for the benefit of KillZones war-torn atmosphere, so I guess I can be forgiving of that."
:lol :lol :lol
I came across this and just had to share it with you guys. It seems that someone felt the need to compare Batman: Arkham Asylum to Killzone 2. http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Batman-Vs-KillZone-2-Super-HD-Comparison-14964.html
"Surprisingly enough, I would have to give the edge to Batman: Arkham Asylum. While it seems like it wouldnt stand a chance against KZ2, the game actually has extremely clear-cut texture work in the large images you can actually see the vinyl layers in Batman's suit and theres no fuzzy gauze on the screen. Then again, Im sure the haze is used for the benefit of KillZones war-torn atmosphere, so I guess I can be forgiving of that."
:lol :lol :lol
I definitely love the Batman and Joker models in Arkham Asylum. Very detailed and very cool. So bizarre to compare it to Killzone though. There's much less going on in an enclosed space rather than a battlefield with aircraft above, tons of infantry on the ground, tanks etc so it's much easier to have super detailed models.nightez said:
seaandthebells
Member
Got to sit in on the hands-off playthrough WB was touring back at the beginning of February. Saw most of the game's first chapter and some later stuff as well. I gotta say, Arkham looks really, really good. The combat is straight out of Yakuza (without the environmental weapons) and they're talking Metroid-style exploration of the asylum. That is just... sweet. I'm not smitten with the art direction but it all looks good.
I think this game is going to live or die based on how deep it goes with the exploration and investigation aspects. They keep promising deep, puzzle-solving investigation and moving through the Asylum after upgrading weapons and whatnot but it's still just talk. I want to see more of this game and I want to actually get my hands on the dag controller.
Wish I had pics of their Harley Quinn design. Methinks fans are going to be pissed about it.
Not too much new info for you, but here's my impressions if ya want to read.
Anything Less Than the Best is a Felony: Arkham Asylum Might Be the Best Batman Game Yet
Batman is awesome. I would never say that Batman wasnt awesome. Batman is only a tool though. A conceit, a platform, a set of rules to tell entertaining stories with. Theres something people tend to forget every time a new Batman game gets announced. Bats hasnt had a very good videogame career, but everyone seems to think it has to do with the medium. It isnt that videogames starring Batman are usually bad. Its that everything starring Batman is usually bad. There are three good Batman movies to four terrible ones. There is one good Batman cartoon, and four others that can physically damage three out of five human senses. There are a number of very good Batman comics. There also happens to be over one thousand Batman comics that suck.
As of 2009, there is one excellent Batman videogame (NES), a handful of okay Batman games, and close to twenty that are trash. Not trashy. I mean the sort of thing you put in the garbage. After watching a playthrough of Batman: Arkham Asylums first twenty minutes, Im willing to say that Rocksteady Studios has the potential to make the first great Batman game. No fanboy hyperbole here. It actually looks that good.
The demoed chunk of Arkham Asylums first chapter expands on the trailer released this past January. Batman has arrested the Joker and is delivering him to the titular sanitarium. Outside of the brief cinema of Batmans late night drive, the narrative heavy opening minutes mercifully give the player control, letting you walk alongside the guards and doctors as they escort the Joker in. Its nice to not have to passively sit through the story and it lets you get sense of your surroundings. Rocksteadys asylum is an amalgamation of previous incarnations (the game doesnt adhere to any specific continuity, comic or otherwise.) Here, it takes up an entire island on the river near Gotham City, and is made up of founder Amadeus Arkhams mansion and an industrialized facility. The hospital looks, appropriately enough, like a videogame setting. With its grimy metal hallways and shadowed vents, it looks like a place to keep the super-powered criminally insane. Purists might scoff at the design, but its tonally consistent with this version of Batmans world. It all looks quite nice to boot. It has that wet look games built on Unreal Engine 3 tend to, but doesnt suffer from any of the texturing troubles (see: environments loading sans textures) that plague games like Mass Effect. The character designs also seem familiar inside UE3, but thats thanks to their Epic-ness; these thick-looking versions of Batman, Commissioner Gordon, the Joker, and Harley Quinn would look right at home in Gears of War. These also might get fans in a huff, especially the American McGee-ified Quinn, but they work in Arkham Asylum.
After the Joker escapes, you get your first taste of Arkhams combat. Since I didnt get to actually play the game, its impossible to say how the brawling feels, but it gives the best impression possible. Fighting recalls nothing if not Segas Yakuza. Thugs surround Batman and you dash back and forth between them, combo meter filling as you contantly move between them. The game intelligently interprets who you want to attack; press the analog stick in their direction along with X or Y (light and heavy strikes respectively), and you smoothly draw in for the hit. Like in Yakuza, finishing and strong moves also go into stylish slow-motion. (I was told that some of these moves are only in slow-motion the first few times theyre used, a smart choice that should keep the game fast.)You unlock new moves and upgrade Batmans skills and equipment by gaining experience. It may damage some of the Batman persona you are supposed to be the worlds greatest detective and an accomplished martial artist from the outset, after all but its a welcome concession to the medium. Arkham Asylum needs to be a good game first, and making the combat an evolving set of rules will help it be just that. The games investigation and stealth play dont hurt either.
At any point while playing, you can activate investigative mode. A colored filter covers the screen, highlighting interactive parts of the environment (concealed paths, grapple points) as well as scan-able information (characters, writing on walls.) In the demo, the extent of puzzle solving through investigation was limited to find-the-path and hit-the-switch problems, but producer Nathan Whitman said the game goes deeper as it progresses. (He mentioned crime scene investigations, which have popped up in other previews, but sadly I didnt see any here.) If it all sounds a bit like Metroid Primes scan visor, thats because it is. Whitman dropped exactly that name in describing the games investigation and seamless-world exploration. The investigation filter also informs Arkhams Silent Predator play. Terrible name aside, these stealth features look solid and integral to nailing the character in a game. Many of the asylums rooms are large and allow for creative dispatching of enemies. Sneak through the shadows, activate investigation mode, grapple to the ceiling, drop down on a thug and zip him back up. When theres only one baddie left, glide down with your cape wide and kick him in the head before he knows whats coming. It all looks smooth and active as well, hardly a collection of cutscene triggers or QTEs.
I know. This is a lot of referencing classic games to paint a portrait of Arkham Asylum. Metroid Prime, Yakuza, Gears of War. I dont think Rocksteady Games is trying to hide where they get their inspiration though. Even the games Batman: The Animated Series pedigree Harley, Joker, and Bats are all voiced by their actors from that series, and Arkhams written by alum and Detective Comics scribe Paul Dini shows their willingness to pull from the best sources to make sure their Batman videogame is actually worth playing. It looks great. Well see how it feels to play when it comes out this summer.
Fanboy note: No, Batmans eyes are not white. They wont be. They are, however, white when hes in investigation mode. Whitman said thats the compromise to appease yall. Ah well. Better than nothing.
Link: http://www.nerve.com/CS/blogs/61fps...asylum-might-be-the-best-batman-game-yet.aspx
I think this game is going to live or die based on how deep it goes with the exploration and investigation aspects. They keep promising deep, puzzle-solving investigation and moving through the Asylum after upgrading weapons and whatnot but it's still just talk. I want to see more of this game and I want to actually get my hands on the dag controller.
Wish I had pics of their Harley Quinn design. Methinks fans are going to be pissed about it.
Not too much new info for you, but here's my impressions if ya want to read.
Anything Less Than the Best is a Felony: Arkham Asylum Might Be the Best Batman Game Yet
Batman is awesome. I would never say that Batman wasnt awesome. Batman is only a tool though. A conceit, a platform, a set of rules to tell entertaining stories with. Theres something people tend to forget every time a new Batman game gets announced. Bats hasnt had a very good videogame career, but everyone seems to think it has to do with the medium. It isnt that videogames starring Batman are usually bad. Its that everything starring Batman is usually bad. There are three good Batman movies to four terrible ones. There is one good Batman cartoon, and four others that can physically damage three out of five human senses. There are a number of very good Batman comics. There also happens to be over one thousand Batman comics that suck.
As of 2009, there is one excellent Batman videogame (NES), a handful of okay Batman games, and close to twenty that are trash. Not trashy. I mean the sort of thing you put in the garbage. After watching a playthrough of Batman: Arkham Asylums first twenty minutes, Im willing to say that Rocksteady Studios has the potential to make the first great Batman game. No fanboy hyperbole here. It actually looks that good.
The demoed chunk of Arkham Asylums first chapter expands on the trailer released this past January. Batman has arrested the Joker and is delivering him to the titular sanitarium. Outside of the brief cinema of Batmans late night drive, the narrative heavy opening minutes mercifully give the player control, letting you walk alongside the guards and doctors as they escort the Joker in. Its nice to not have to passively sit through the story and it lets you get sense of your surroundings. Rocksteadys asylum is an amalgamation of previous incarnations (the game doesnt adhere to any specific continuity, comic or otherwise.) Here, it takes up an entire island on the river near Gotham City, and is made up of founder Amadeus Arkhams mansion and an industrialized facility. The hospital looks, appropriately enough, like a videogame setting. With its grimy metal hallways and shadowed vents, it looks like a place to keep the super-powered criminally insane. Purists might scoff at the design, but its tonally consistent with this version of Batmans world. It all looks quite nice to boot. It has that wet look games built on Unreal Engine 3 tend to, but doesnt suffer from any of the texturing troubles (see: environments loading sans textures) that plague games like Mass Effect. The character designs also seem familiar inside UE3, but thats thanks to their Epic-ness; these thick-looking versions of Batman, Commissioner Gordon, the Joker, and Harley Quinn would look right at home in Gears of War. These also might get fans in a huff, especially the American McGee-ified Quinn, but they work in Arkham Asylum.
After the Joker escapes, you get your first taste of Arkhams combat. Since I didnt get to actually play the game, its impossible to say how the brawling feels, but it gives the best impression possible. Fighting recalls nothing if not Segas Yakuza. Thugs surround Batman and you dash back and forth between them, combo meter filling as you contantly move between them. The game intelligently interprets who you want to attack; press the analog stick in their direction along with X or Y (light and heavy strikes respectively), and you smoothly draw in for the hit. Like in Yakuza, finishing and strong moves also go into stylish slow-motion. (I was told that some of these moves are only in slow-motion the first few times theyre used, a smart choice that should keep the game fast.)You unlock new moves and upgrade Batmans skills and equipment by gaining experience. It may damage some of the Batman persona you are supposed to be the worlds greatest detective and an accomplished martial artist from the outset, after all but its a welcome concession to the medium. Arkham Asylum needs to be a good game first, and making the combat an evolving set of rules will help it be just that. The games investigation and stealth play dont hurt either.
At any point while playing, you can activate investigative mode. A colored filter covers the screen, highlighting interactive parts of the environment (concealed paths, grapple points) as well as scan-able information (characters, writing on walls.) In the demo, the extent of puzzle solving through investigation was limited to find-the-path and hit-the-switch problems, but producer Nathan Whitman said the game goes deeper as it progresses. (He mentioned crime scene investigations, which have popped up in other previews, but sadly I didnt see any here.) If it all sounds a bit like Metroid Primes scan visor, thats because it is. Whitman dropped exactly that name in describing the games investigation and seamless-world exploration. The investigation filter also informs Arkhams Silent Predator play. Terrible name aside, these stealth features look solid and integral to nailing the character in a game. Many of the asylums rooms are large and allow for creative dispatching of enemies. Sneak through the shadows, activate investigation mode, grapple to the ceiling, drop down on a thug and zip him back up. When theres only one baddie left, glide down with your cape wide and kick him in the head before he knows whats coming. It all looks smooth and active as well, hardly a collection of cutscene triggers or QTEs.
I know. This is a lot of referencing classic games to paint a portrait of Arkham Asylum. Metroid Prime, Yakuza, Gears of War. I dont think Rocksteady Games is trying to hide where they get their inspiration though. Even the games Batman: The Animated Series pedigree Harley, Joker, and Bats are all voiced by their actors from that series, and Arkhams written by alum and Detective Comics scribe Paul Dini shows their willingness to pull from the best sources to make sure their Batman videogame is actually worth playing. It looks great. Well see how it feels to play when it comes out this summer.
Fanboy note: No, Batmans eyes are not white. They wont be. They are, however, white when hes in investigation mode. Whitman said thats the compromise to appease yall. Ah well. Better than nothing.
Link: http://www.nerve.com/CS/blogs/61fps...asylum-might-be-the-best-batman-game-yet.aspx
Joei
Member
I love the way this is shaping up. Hearing they're using Metroid as an influence is awesome. Having this set at Arkham seems like such a great setting for a game and kind of reminds me of SotN with a twist Bioshock. I really want to see some videos of the combat, as I'm sure everyone else does. All in all, I think that this has some potential to be amazing. Absolutely amazing.
flintstryker
Banned
Great to hear that its taking the metroid route hell i am of the opinion that every game should be like metroid but that's just me.
VibratingDonkey
Member
Rocksteady dudes are fantastic at making things feel meaty and satisfying, so even if the melee combat ends up being simple, I'm sure it'll look and feel awesome.
This is your next Riddick folks (apart from Riddick). And I can't believe I'm saying that about a Batman game.
This is your next Riddick folks (apart from Riddick). And I can't believe I'm saying that about a Batman game.
Jaded Alyx
Member
Your avatar is still freaking huge.seaandthebells said:
Revolutionary
Member
Can you describe Harley Quinn's character design for us?
I'm intrigued.
I'm intrigued.
Jaded Alyx
Member
Someone posted it in it's entirety once. At the time, I pointed out that it was huge.epmode said:
So i just checked to see if it is still huge. It is.
DevilWillcry
Member
That boxart is pretty sexy.
Leatherface
Member
I think the box art for the PS3 version should have lower quality textures and aliasing issues. lol amirite?! :lol
Talladega Knight
Member
Cool boxart, I'm just not liking the logo. I'm thinking it's the word 'Batman' in the bat. It just doesn't look right to me. I think it'd be nicer if it was just the Batman symbol without the word 'Batman.'
disappeared
Banned
The last Batman game I played was the original on the NES. Holy shit, this is going to be a crazy trip.
VibratingDonkey
Member
Hope you'll be able to poke people with your head, impale them on your ears and swing them around. The fierce seriousness of that boxart makes you think silly thoughts.
rollingstart
Banned
awesome box art
MWS Natural
Member
The game looks great, just added it to my Gamefly. Which version have they been demoing on?
Night_Trekker
Member
Man, I hope this game ends up good. I played through and actually enjoyed Vengeance a lot, but it could have been better.
rollingstart
Banned
this game looks so awesome