Batman: Arkham City review

 "If Batman exists, he will not dare to come here." Hyper nervous inmate tries his buddy next to him in vain to reassure, not knowing that I am right behind them. I decide to no longer renew their suffering and save with a brusque movement, their heads together. They had barely time to realize what was happening. It is not long before the third criminal in the room is their unconscious bodies. As the minutes pass, I save him smilingly watched from a gargoyle. He calls for help, but gets no answer. He frantically looks around but sees nothing. Yet he knows that he is not alone. I wait patiently until the man is where I want it. I'm Batman ... and it feels damn good.

Actually I can not review further mention. The word "hymn" would be more appropriate. Rocksteady has succeeded in approaching to the perfection in all areas and provides a true flagship off. Take the story. Quincy Sharp, two years ago, director of Arkham Asylum, has been mayor of Gotham City kicked and that the inhabitants have known. The man - who in the previous section a very dark side appeared to have - clears a hefty portion of the city, and it then converts into a super prison. All criminals are thrown inside the giant fences and more abandoned.

To see that this whole thing stinks, you do not even have to have a perfect nose. Even Bruce Wayne Sharp trust and certainly not unhappy about the appointment of Hugo Strange as the sinister head of Arkham City. The former Playboy brand new politician to act as a lobby for closing the prison, but during a speech abruptly arrested by the private army of Strange and locked himself in Arkham City. One call to butler Alfred and a visit from the Batwing later pulls Wayne Batmanpak and goes to investigate. Strange but soon becomes apparent that one purpose: the activation of some diabolical plan by the mysterious name "Protocol 10".

What 'Protocol 10' really means is not immediately clear, and that I will not tell you here. Strange that he knows Batman better stops, if only because the mad psychiatrist appears to be aware of Batman's true identity. The matter is further complicated by the Joker and Harley Quinn in Arkham City hiding. Joker has the last adventure of a nasty illness that kept him sometimes very acidic and could break up the dangerous clown in a purple suit will likely be ready for the Dark Knight to turn to find a drug. It is the beginning of a mad ride through Arkham City, where a huge number of iconic villains presented.

The list of characters Rocksteady from the DC Comics library gets is impressive and at times overwhelming. If you count the side missions, in which each one of Batman's enemies are now in the spotlight claims, it may sometimes happen that the trees not see the forest. Still, the developer managed to pass this rather chaotic ship on course and the result is being. The story in Arkham City is compelling, occasionally quite moving and also completely unpredictable. A little knowledge of the Batman universe is not a luxury, all doing their best to Rocksteady through various biographies and background stories, the newcomer warmly welcome.

Is Batman: Arkham City is the perfect sequel? So you could describe. Rocksteady has taken at least the base of the fantastic Arkham Asylum and built on them. The list of improvements that have almost perfect formula is significant. The setting, Arkham City is enormous compared to the madhouse of the original and every inch exudes tons of atmosphere. The declining steel mill where Joker dwell and the impressive courtroom where Two-Face own right plays up with bizarre trophy-filled museum where Penguin nefarious plans forge and with deadly traps filled test chambers of the Riddler ... super jail is varied and obviously with much love for the source material put together. That it is all top-notch graphic look is the icing on the cake. Under a helicopter to hang and the camera slowly around you will run again and again for a wow moment where you jaw-dropping.

But there's more: Arkham City is not only wonderful to look at, the city lives simply. On every street corner holding criminals groups and heated debate at intersections are often brutal way wars were fought. The conversations you while you catch like Batman crossed the city not only add much to the background story, but also make sure that you really feel that you and these criminals locked up. You almost smell the dirty air from smokestacks flows almost feel the icy rain on your face and actually shivering from the cold when you go over the port filled with floating ice. If you are ever on guard through the streets running, feel the unknown threat that at any moment from the shadows at you could jump. This is a world where the hell can break loose at any given time, a world where you always have the street and the sky behind you keep an eye on. A magnificent performance from Rock Steady, let that be clear. Hats off!

Whoever thought that the whole glider happen in Arkham Asylum felt a bit limited, will be delighted with Arkham City. Rocksteady has in this area which is kind of revolutionized by adding a dive option and by making sure that this time you can launch in full flight to the next way station. Later in the game you are upgrading Fri persons you can do a lot faster, so if you some practice over the city without crossing your feet even once touching the ground. It plays so smoothly that even aimlessly back and forth every time makes for a kick. Not that you ever will feel the urge to randomly go floating around. Do it with the numerous side missions, especially the Riddler with 440 challenges to that.

In terms of gameplay is about as in the previous section for two main pillars: combat and stealth. The solid, well-timed counterattacks based on combat system is back, but Rocksteady has made it a lot smoother. The number of enemies has increased sharply and the detainees are also a lot tougher this time than before. They are often put together with superiors in the attack, carrying a riot shield or try with a few quick stab wounds to surprise. Each type of enemy requires a different approach, and when confronted with a mix of fighting styles, this ensures that you are very focused and very calm above to proceed. Easier said than done, especially towards the end because it can be quite tough.


The stealth sections were provided with a decent upgrade. More takedowns, more possible strategies and especially enemies that little bit more alert and especially more responsive, so you never know peace. Like Arkham Asylum Detective Vision plays a major role. This can still see through walls, breakable objects in the environment or locate the armor of an enemy and then calmly analyze your action plan to put together. Detective Vision will also have to use the many puzzles that the game is rich to solve. This alternative view of the world is especially essential when you countless Riddler Trophies trying to get, but is also useful when the origin of a sniper shot trying to track or if you are using a footprint in the pursuit of a fast-paced ninja deployment . An improvement of one aspect in the first part was a little too underused.

Batman also has a decent pile of gadgets bijgekregen. You start the game with almost all the remedies that help you in Arkham Asylum together have saved, but your arsenal will gradually be supplemented with new toys. Think of a grenade that upon impact the enemy freezes or a hilarious device that you gun your opponent jamt, then you coolly at him strolling and his contemptuous "gotcha!" Attitude in an instant sees into outright panic. The gadgets we already know from the previous section can in the course of the game with all kinds of upgrades. So you can this time include lines with the Line Launcher to shoot where you can walk about and hacking minigame, the whole of the ground-up refactoring. Add to this a further option for the rapid use any gadgets on that very useful during the many battles and you know that Rocksteady far rested on his laurels.

I would still go on for hours about Batman: Arkham City. So I have not mentioned the many brilliant boss fights the game is rich and I have not mentioned yet Catwoman, who with her feminine sc ... uh elegance and her unique way of transportation makes for a welcome change. After twenty hours when you've finished the main storyline, side missions, the many easy to double the playing time. Add to that a 'new game plus option and numerous rooms for the challenge and you know that you value for money. The phenomenal and rousing soundtrack deserves a mention, as well as the fantastic voice acting. Mark Hamill and Kevin Conroy legendary Joker Batman's steel get competition from among others-like the rasping voice of Two-Face, the Riddler and the wonderfully annoying sounding almost sophisticated Penguin (Nolan "Nathan Drake" North vingerdik with accent).

The perfect game does not exist and so does Batman: Arkham City a few flaws. The camera sometimes unruly dare do when you're surrounded by superior numbers of enemies and after a careful examination to see all the faces are not equally convincing. But let a mosquito primarily to an elephant: it is sheer pedantry. It is too early to Arkham City to declare the best action game of the year, but I do not care at all. Rocksteady fact has put together a masterpiece that is very close to perfection. When you play this game, you really feel like you're Batman, and that in itself is an achievement many a superhero game should be jealous. This is a magnificent experience from beginning to end and for me a major contender for the title of Game of the Year. Now just hope that I will not wake up from a heavenly dream ... Batman: Arkham City is in fact really too good to be true.

Pros

- Wonderful story.
- Sophisticated gameplay.
- Long playing time.
- Interesting game world.
- Tons atmosphere.
- Graphic beautiful.
- Brilliant audio.

Cons

- none!