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1 • GameOn Magazine Special Edition What Can You Read Inside?

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About Warner Bros. Highlights Editorial Staff Interactive Entertainment 5 Origins Welcome to : Arkham Special Chief Editor - Steve Greenfield I Am Batman 6 Preview Edition of The GameOn Magazine. Editor - Kris West The Villains of the Arkham Franchise 10 Travel back to where You’re in for a treat in this issue as we supply you Games Critic - Ross D. Brown it all began. Fight with everything Batman and Arkham related included Games Critic - Chris Wakefield Batman: Arkham Aslyum Review as the Dark Knight our reviews of both previous Arkham titles, Arkham Games Critic - Joe Pring 16 before was Aslyum and Arkham City, our biographies for a Games Critic - Ryan Davies A Combat Revolution 22 overrun by criminals few of our favorite characters, and a few articles Games Critic - Matt Girdler and low-lifes. written by our crack team of detectives writers. Games Critic - Adam Woodward Batman: Arkham City Review 26 Games Critic - Thom Whyte Along with this, we have our Batman: Games Critic - Adam Barnes Batman Arkham: City - Arkham Origins preview fresh off the press Games Critic - James Bralant A Retrospective 32 Gadget Tips from this year’s E3 convention. Games Critic - Heather Cook Batman Arkham: City - A First Keep your eyes peeled Hour, First Impression 34 for our gadget tips So sit back, relax, switch off your , Graphic Design - Steve Dawson sprinkled through- unhook your utility belt, pull down your mask Graphic Design - Kris West Interview with Batman: Arkham Origins Director, Eric Holmes 38 out the magazine to and enjoy the special edition magazine. gain some greater Research & Proofing - Ross D. Brown Batman: Arkham - Settings 40 insight into some of If you want to get your hands on our monthly Research & Proofing - Harrie Bailey the Caped Crusader’s copy of the magazine, you can simply click here for Research & Proofing - Emsey P. Walker The Baddies of Batman 44 best gadgets. the UK Kindle version, here for the International Batman: Arkham Origins Kindle version or here for the tablet version. E3 Preview 46 Special Thanks If you’d like to get in touch with us, you can drop Character Biographies 54 us an e-mail at [email protected]. Mark Ward - Warner Bros. Biographies Interactive Entertainment Batman: Arkham Origins Multiplayer 60 Find out some more Alternatively, you can find us on Gareth Williams - Premier Comms about your favorite Twitter @TheGameOnMag Warner Bros. Games Montreal Batman: Arkham Origins villians and heroes and Facebook at Facebook.com/GameOnMagazine gamescom Preview 64 from Batman: Arkham Origins including their pasts Blackgate Preview 68 and first apperances. The Editor

2 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 3 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition ABOUT GAMEON ABOUT WARNER BROS. INTERACTIVE ENTERTAINMENT GameOn Networking Ltd was founded in 1997 with the aim of providing “lag free” gaming In 1995, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment licensed out their first game property, Batman solutions for dedicated online gamers. Online connectivity in the late 90s was such that Forever. From there, they continued to license games based on Warner Bros. film and TV realtime gaming was beyond the of the average gamer, and so GameOn began hosting products to publishers such as , EA, Infogrames and the late, great, THQ. LAN parties throughout the UK. To date, GameOn has hosted almost 100 LAN parties. Come 2003, Warner Bros. Interactive co-published their first video game, In August 2008, GameOn began producing GameOn Magazine, an online PDF magazine Looney Tunes: Back in Action with EA. Two years later, in 2005, WB Games covering all aspects of gaming including reviews, previews, news and articles. The label was created and co-published The Matrix Online with . dedicated magazine staff also provided coverage at high profile gaming events such as E3 and gamescom. In 2009, Warner Bros. purchased indie developer, . Later that year, Warner Bros. also purchases most of the assets of American publisher, . In February 2012, GameOn Magazine launched in ebook form on the Amazon Kindle In 2010, they acquired majority stake in Rocksteady Studios, an indie development marketplace in both the UK and US and has since developed from strength to strength. studio operating out of London who developed Batman: and City. With the same quality coverage as always and dedicated writing and research staff the magazine has gained a loyal following and secured its position as one of the best selling Later in 2010, Warner Bros. Interactive opened a studio in Quebec, Montreal gaming magazines on the Kindle store. headed up by Martin Tremblay, also known as WB Games Montreal, who would later go on to develop Batman: Arkham Origins. Later in 2012 GameOn lauched the colour version of the magazine via Magzter store which is avilable on Android, iOS and Windows. For more information on Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, any of their subsidiaries, Intellectual Properties or Titles, please visit www.warnerbros.com For more information, please visit www.gameonmag.com

4 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 5 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition I AM BATMAN There are many reasons to enjoy the Batman: the kind of feat only achievable by a Arkham series of games: A well-rounded human being with the right tools, training combat system, a cast of excellent supporting and at the peak of physical ability. characters, a rich open world, an abundance of side-activities and many more. The gadgets also provide a great deal of depth to the experience. Solving puzzles and For me though, there is one aspect that following clues in detective mode changes makes the experience so epic for me, and the pace of proceedings, providing a more that reason is a simple one: I am Batman. thoughtful aspect of gaming amongst the high adrenaline combat and tense stealth Both Arkham Asylum and Arkham City sections. Tools such as the remote control really let me walk a mile in the boots of , disruptor and grappling hook the Caped Crusader, the Dark Knight, the provide you with the tools to cope with World’s Greatest Detective. It goes so much any situation and make up for Batman’s further than the skin of the character, the lack of ‘traditional’ superpowers. way he looks and the way he moves. For me, the thing Rocksteady have nailed on The fact that our hero’s abilities and gadgets the head is how it feels to be Batman. stretch the bounds of believability to their limits, but never beyond breaking point, is Controlling the Batman just feels right, as you the main factor that underlies the run through the streets, scale sheer surfaces, of both games in capturing the essence of glide amongst the rooftops and rappel between Batman. There is a real sense of power there, buildings. The sense of maneuverability but behind it, a sense of vulnerability. is dead on; not quite superhuman, but

6 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 7 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition and satisfying, as the Dark This is never more apparent than when Knight dodges, block, strikes facing off against armed opponents. and throws with perfect timing Sure, ol’ Brucie has a few tricks up and unprecedented precision, his sleeve. The batarang can stun an ending in brutal, but distinctly unwary opponent and the grappling -lethal, takedowns. hook can pull the gun from his hands, but when two or three enemies with Miss one beat though and the guns are around it is very easy to get combo is broken, and when the Batman killed in an open fight. Hell, Batman gets hit, it hurts. Clad even baseball bats can cause a problem! in his body armour he can This is most evident in the combat and stealth take a bit of damage, and it’s certainly Despite the fact that Batman is mechanics. Hiding in the shadows, Batman is possible to muddle your way through extremely skilled and powerful, this a nightmare incarnate. Henchmen cower and a fight, trading blows back and forth. sense of weakness is constantly at the panic as their cohorts disappear, picked off You’ll feel it though, because tough as he back of your mind when in a scrap. You one-by-one by a (seemingly) deadly, unseen is, behind the Bat lies , and aren’t , invulnerable to all force, while our hero watches, waits and Bruce Wayne is just a man. If your skill with few weaknesses. You aren’t even strikes. Patience and timing are your friends fails you, failure is very much an option. The , mostly human but with a here, and it few special abilities. You are Batman, really feels just and all the stands between you, death plain badass to Gadget Tip and failure is an armoured breastplate, clear an area a couple of gadgets, the environment of enemies in around you and your ability to fight. this manner. When I play Arkham City and Get spotted Arkham Asylum: I AM BATMAN. though, and the Being Batman feels awesome. fists start flying. Batman is highly Provided that this balance of power trained, highly and vulnerability remains intact, and skilled, strong if Warner Montreal have crafted this and agile; more latest experience with the same level of than capable Special Batarang that can be controlled after being released, making love and respect that Rocksteady have of taking on it useful for hitting switches and objects out of reach. Brake and poured into the franchise so far, then I numerous flip controls provide high levels of maneuverability. Hold the Boost can’t imagine Batman: Arkham Origins combatants to impact into an enemy at high velocity to send them flying. If to be anything other than a . in a toe-to-toe directed into electricity, the Batarang will retain the electric charge, Ross D. Brown brawl. Combos and can then be utilised to overload items such as fuse boxes. are brutal

8 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 9 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition Mr Freeze in . His little side : Batman #121 (1959) missions are fun in Arkham City and A personal favorite; Victor Freis is the classic he’s a respectable boss in Asylum, so we story of an honest man going to horrible wouldn’t be shocked to see him back. lengths to save the woman he loves. It makes him a brilliant character to portray, even The Arnie managed to convey some kind of First Appearance: Detective emotion as Mr Freeze ( tip: google Comics #140 (1948) ‘Batman and the musical’). The Riddler has always been Mr Freeze’s boss fight in Arkham a tricky character to portray City is actually pretty good and in motion. His character he’s also a well voiced villain who is a really good idea in plays an interesting part in the theory, as the comics story. He may not make a return demonstrate, but to say THE VILLAINS OF THE ARKHAM FRANCHISE in Origins, but he’ll always be the that it’s been executed well Everyone loves a bad guy. The imperfections Mark Hamill’s voice most emotional of Batman’s foes. on screen is a little untrue. they show compared to their seemingly perfect work as The So it was a great move by rivals makes them a source of empathy and love in the Arkham Bane the Arkham writers to in a way many (and other medium) series is easily on First Appearance: Batman: place him in the authors would never expect or intend. Arguably, par with Ledger’s Vengeance of Bane #1 (1993) background as the Batman series has the best list of villains work, and the an all seeing of any media product worldwide. There’s so character is mystery man many famous, cool, and freaky evil guys and much closer to who appears to gals that it’s hard to understand how Batman that found in the follow Batman has the time to lock ‘em all up. Of course, this comics. He takes Batman’s is arguably one of at every stage of his wonderful array of villains can be found, almost centre stage in the most famous big guy villains journey. Edward Nigma in full, in the Arkham Franchise. The games the first game and in comic book history. He may plays a strange role in are filled to the brim with dastardly deeds and sneaks his way into not be the most intricate and the Arkham franchise; evil doers, so to help you out we’ve compiled an the limelight in the intriguing character, but he rather than a direct informative collection of the best bad guys from second, so expect provides a deal of memorable opponent, he lays out the past games and added on the newcomers to see Gotham’s moments. Not least of which little puzzles around set to arrive in Arkham Origins. Enjoy! kookiest when he breaks Batman’s Arkham island for in Arkham Origins. spine. The Arkham version you to solve. He’s Or don’t, I guess this lot wouldn’t want you to. Let’s be honest, no is akin to the comic certainly a lot more Batman game would character, despite Tom mysterious in the be complete without Hardy’s brilliant games. Expect to see First Appearance: Batman #1 (1940) him even if Hamill has spin on his puzzles make a Batman’s arch foe long before Heath Ledger hung up his bowtie. Bane return in Origins. made the character a hit in The Dark Knight.

10 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 11 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition Scarecrow the two in the Arkham franchise is never First Appearance: World’s quite as strong as in the animated series, Finest Comics #3 (1941) perhaps due to the lack of comical effort The Scarecrow character is a physical from the writing team. But to be fair, the embodiment of the dark element of the games are even darker than the . Batman universe. There’s rarely been a bad use of his freaky mind warping drug style Solomon Grundy and it’s safe to say that his sections in Arkham First Appearance: All-American Asylum are simply astounding. By far one of Comics #61 (1944) the most fun bosses to fight in the entire series; “Solomon Grundy, born on a Monday, the killer blend of Bruce’s past life haunting Christened on Tuesday...” A giant zombie him and Scarecrow’s toxin makes for a strange who’s been granted everlasting life by a but visually beautiful collection of boss battles. lazarus pit. That’s a bad combination to His survival is hinted at throughout Arkham as an opponent. Grundy’s back story is City, so keep your eye out for this one. actually explored in some depth in Arkham City, but it’s all done so in the background so you need to pay attention to get all the First Appearance: Batman: The Animated detail. His role as ’s ‘pet’ does Series “Joker’s Favor” (1992) seem a little harsh considering the fight A testament to the devotion of Batman with Solomon is a lot more fun than the fans, Harley Quinn became a comic book annoyance of fighting Penguin himself. Still, constant after fans reacted overwhelmingly a timeless Batman villain whose nursery positively to her appearances in the brilliant rhyme still causes chills to this day. 90s animated Batman series. Her playful attitude perfectly combines with Joker’s dangerous habits, and together they make an First Appearance: #36 (1940) often hilarious team. The chemistry between The lead antagonist in Arkham City (kind

12 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 13 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition of), Hugo Strange is a normal individual, Comics #411 (1971) tea party which is just full on freaky, plus interesting spin on the original character. compared to the other psychotic villains, The deadly father-daughter duo are true DC has an interesting sub-plot in City. that is. He’s one of the few opponents who universe big guns. Talia’s odd relationship Zsasz is a minor character in both games Anarky really gets inside Batman’s head, a point with Bats means she’s one of the most but has a fun city-spanning sub-plot as well, First Appearance: Detective Comics #608 (1989) exemplified in Arkham City by his Big confusing characters in the whole series. it’s actually one of the best in the whole The main antagonist of the all new Beware Brother-esque overwatching attitude. His The Arkham franchise does away with the game. Two-Face is of course very important the Batman animated series, Anarky is, as his role in the games is actually a bit of a let confusion and presents her as the in the early stages of Arkham City, and is name suggests, a real rebel. Origins looks to down by the end of it. His character and classic ‘evil Talia with not so secret voiced by VA gaming star . Not bring Anarky to the 21st use in the Batman comics, however, is a cut feelings’. Ra’s is actually one of the best forgetting the first game, makes an century as a hacker, above the rest. In Origins, you’re unlikely characters in the whole series, and is appearance in a decent underground section, public figure and to see his return which, considering his brilliantly voiced by Dee plus you can catch small glimpses and easter politically charged exposure in City, is probably for the best. Bradley Baker. His eggs of other characters: The Ventriloquist, figure. He’s sure to overarching role in the , and . be a really neat Penguin main plot is a great addition to the First Appearance: Detective mystery and the big It wouldn’t be a proper Batman game game and will Comics #58 (1941) battle with him towards without a bunch of new characters. likely have a A truly classic Batman villain, the kind the end of the game is Believe it or not, Warner Bros. games big sub-plot. that almost everyone has heard of. great fun. However, if haven’t exhausted the list just yet. Ryan Davies He’s had some incredible depictions you think you killed over the years, perhaps most him off then you may iconically in the original want to think again. If First Appearance: New Teen #2 (1980) Batman TV series. Cobblepot you return to where The big new boy on the block, Deathstroke fits perfectly into the his body was pinned has been touted loud and proud by Warner Batman universe due to against the Arkham Bros. since the game was announced. his notable lack of natural gate, you’ll find that His super quick combat style should be powers; but like many of the it has disappeared. interesting to play against and there’s no characters in the series he denying his incredible coolness. In reality, relies on brains, not brawn, Of course, there we’re looking forward to playing as to settle his feud with the are a whole host Deathstroke more than we’re looking Bat. He’s confirmed for more, too many to forward to playing against him. Arkham Origins, but go into detail on. we don’t know what is a Copperhead role he’ll play just yet. character in the First Appearance: Brave and the Bold #78 (1968) first game and has Redesigned specifically for the game, a new Ra’s and some great boss segments. female Copperhead will make an appearance First Appearances: provides the final and is not in any way based upon the awful Batman #232 battle of Arkham City, even looking Copperhead in the (1971) & if it’s not a great one. TV show. She’s an assassin with a taste Detective The Mad Hatter has a for exotic poisons and looks like a really

14 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 15 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition The game is Gadget Tip semi-open world - once you finish the starting area, you are allowed to travel anywhere you like. However, there are a variety of obstacles that prevent the Bat from continuing on - thus forcing This special pre-programmed Remote Batarang will loop back BATMAN: ARKHAM ASLYUM REVIEW you to take the on itself and hit an enemy from behind, leaving them dazed intended route. and confused while searching for their attacker in the wrong Whilst this could direction. It is perfect for disorientating an enemy so that Batman be construed as can sneak up and take them down during the confusion. a problem, it is countered by the variety of collectables that are in each area. be destroyed, to riddles that are to be solved Platforms: PC. 360, PS3 where many of Gotham City’s super- by scanning the area for a particular, Riddler- Date: August 2009 criminals are taken. At the start of the game, Early on in the game, The Riddler makes described object. As with the main game, Genre: Action-adventure, beat ‘em up Joker has been recaptured by Batman who himself heard, providing you with a list of many of these are unattainable without the Publisher: Warner Bros. hurries him back to the asylum. He soon riddles that are to be solved in each area. right gadget; but instead of proving to be an Interactive Entertainment realises that all is not right, and continues These range from simple chattering teeth to annoyance, this makes exploration of the areas on to make sure his arch is safely There are few superheroes to have such an locked up. Which, of course, he is not. impact as Batman. Having spawned several iterations of comic books, films and games, it Thanks to Joker’s antics, Batman is stuck is obvious that we’re never going to be fully on Arkham Island, and must fight his way satiated on Batman themed products. But is through many of the bad guys. The storyline Eidos’ latest Batman game, Arkham Asylum, is an enjoyable one, albeit not as epic as it all Dark Knight, or should it be committed? initially begins with. Joker’s promise of many of the super-villains coming to Arkham Island With the varied and deep world of Batman, never truly comes to fruition, with encounters Eidos’ had a pick of ideas and storylines with only four of them. It would be nice to to pursue. In this case, they chose to focus have a few more of Batman’s greatest enemies on the story of Arkham Asylum, the place showing their face throughout the game.

16 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 17 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition enjoyable when you first arrive in a new area. Arguably the most important aspect of any As the game continues, at major points you’ll Batman product is the combat, and Arkham be given access to some of Batman’s many Asylum does its part to really make you gadgets. Naturally you start with the famous feel like the fighting master that is the Dark and grapple, but by the end you’ll Knight. On the surface, the combat could be making use of explosive gel, a batclaw, a seem too simple for some, almost a button- variety of enhanced batarangs and a line- basher. Scratch a little harder though, and shot for traversing large holes in the ground. you’ll find it’s actually all about timing. To Making good use of these adds to the Batman succeed in combat, especially later on in the feel of this game, with many of them being game, the only way to survive is methodical, used on-the- in combos during a fight. thoughtful button presses - rather than constantly tapping the strike button. The graphics of this game are glorious; from the heavy of the opening cut-scene to As with most action/adventure games these the cluttered environments of the asylum, days, there are unlockable abilities and there isn’t a moment in this game where the upgrades. As you graphics don’t hold up. The dark and moody fight you earn XP setting is a perfect place to play out this story of the Batman, add this to some excellent voice-acting - done mostly by the animated series’ cast - and it’s hard not to become absorbed into the game’s world. It’s never been this fun to play as the Dark Knight.

The game itself, however, is rather short. It’s possible to see the game through to completion within ten to twelve hours. which, at Now, for a game of this type, this is above predetermined average, but so perfectly crafted is the flow intervals, will of the game it’s hard not to want the game allow you to to last much longer; especially considering purchase an the vast number of possible bad guys that upgrade; from health could add just as much entertainment to upgrades, to increased the game. As I say, though, the storyline of gadget damage, to new the game is well paced and it’s unfair to combo moves. It’s always judge the game simply because it ends. nice to be given a choice over how you form your character, However, while the storyline is well measured, even if the options here are basic. the gameplay itself is far more stuttered. Each

18 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 19 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition Predator Challenges, you are required to take out the armed inmates as stealthily as you can. Each level has three different challenges, which require you to take out your enemies in certain ways. Manage all three in one challenge and you’ll receive three medals.

Freeflow Challenges are much new room you enter provides a new challenge simpler; you earn a score for taking out but, unfortunately, it is very specific in the your enemies, with the difficult ramping up way that it is solved. For example, you may over four rounds. This is where the combat enter one room filled with unarmed inmates of the game truly shines. To get anywhere which means the only solution is to take them near achieving three medals in these modes out in combat. Enter a room with armed you will need to be able to string together inmates, however, and it is obvious that the all of Batman’s abilities, as well as making only way to survive is to stealthily take them sure you’re not hit by anyone, to achieve the out one by one. Again, the gameplay is never highest bonus points. With a leaderboard unlikeable and it is just as well paced as the and the inevitable one-upmanship from story, but it’d be nice to be given a little more your friend’s list, these will provide a lot of free reign over Batman’s abilities, rather than extra replay value once the game is over. being ushered into a predetermined tactic. All in all, Batman: Arkham Asylum is a And herein lies the beauty of the game; being fantastic feat. It’s not without its minor given control of one of the most deadly and flaws, but everything about the Big Bad popular superheroes of all. Every aspect of Bat has been perfected, and it is definitely the Dark Knight, the gliding, the combat, a must-play for anyone, Batman fan or the stealth, the gadgets - everything that not. Now all there is left to do, is to wait for makes Batman the popular character that Eidos to bring this perfected Dark Knight he is - has been perfected into what can to a sprawling open-world Gotham City. only be the best Batman game to date. Adam Barnes

Even once the game has ended there are Batman: the challenge rooms to attempt. These take two modes, Predator or Freeflow (Stealth Arkham Asylum or Combat in other words). To succeed in Scored: 7.5 out 10

20 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 21 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition few of these strikes to take one down; although obviously this depends on the opponent. Using perfect timing and a A COMBAT REVOLUTION sense of momentum, the I would argue that through all the brilliant first true feel of how Batman can handle player can hop from bad guy elements of the Arkham series, from the great himself; and boy is it fun. The genius of the to bad guy purely with the strike storylines to the super fun stealth mechanics, system is that it’s very simple, essentially just button. This is the basic premise it’s the ‘Freeflow’ combat system that makes two or three buttons to push, but requires and it’s brilliantly pleasing all on its it such a great collection of games. Not only a sense of timing that needs to be trained own. But of course there are various this, but the combat system is so good that and honed. Nailing the timing and taking additions to the system, like countering it’s heavily influenced some of the biggest out a huge group of guys in one glorious (with the B button), knife dodging and games out there, not to mention a huge combo is what the combat is all about. using Batman’s various gadgets (with Y). By collection of other titles. The combat in the the end of the first game there are a huge Arkham series is truly revolutionary. For those who need a refresher, here’s how it number of ways to take down the baddies, works. Pressing the X button (360 pad) makes but the core principles of timed strikes and attacks. Let’s start at Arkham Asylum, where the series Batman strike the nearest goon and it takes a momentum building are still critical. Arkham began and the combat City system first impressed So with a solid system already established, it currently players. The slow and was simple enough for Rocksteady to transfer represents sombre walk through the the same Freeflow combat style to their the pinnacle prison with The Joker more adventurous outing, Arkham City. The of the Freeflow in tow, is a famously free-roaming nature of the game made it a combat system, but well executed scene that perfect setting for a deal of fisticuffs. Despite there’s no doubt that expertly builds up to the solid groundwork, the developers also Warner Montreal will The Joker’s escape. It’s at included a host of new combat features such be looking to make it even this point, with a bunch as countering multiple enemies at once, new better for Arkham Origins. of goons descending on enemies that require special actions and aerial So what is it that makes the combat him, that players get their

22 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 23 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition in the Asylum games so satisfying? Obviously course, a good fluid system would be pointless sound effects, timed slow-mo and context point of reference in many of my reviews. the key element is the flow of the system; it without bone-crunching after-effects, and sensitive actions gives the combat system Of course, like any great concept, the combat requires just a small nudge of direction from this is another ingredient to the combat a true sense of power and weight. Despite mechanic in the Arkham games has its critics. the player to move the character towards one genius. The combination of well constructed his agility, Batman is a bruiser and the Some feel that the system is too easy, and enemy and then Arkham combat conveys this in style. can make the player almost too powerful. a heavy handed For many people, the Freeflow system is Another issue for certain players is that it press of the Gadget Tip the pinnacle of in-game combat mechanics, doesn’t require a lot of input from the player. I strike button and I’m inclined to agree. To back us up, would counter these arguments by saying that to take him on, there’s a host of games out there that have the system may be easy to start with, but in a process that been majorly influenced by the Arkham order to build up long and powerful combos, can be repeated combat. In many ways it’s started a new era you need to really pay attention to the moves to glorious of hand to hand combat in adventure and you make. You also need to be observant for effect. The third person games. Assassin’s Creed 3 is a counter opportunities and unusual enemies. player action of notable game that combined the Freeflow moving between mechanic with the pre-established AC style, Personally, I’m interested in Arkham opponents, it has its differences and feels a lot lighter Origins almost purely because of the which is but you can feel the inspiration. Sleeping combat system. I want to see how Warner where many Dogs’ combat is very similar and also very Montreal handle the mechanics, and if games falter, Batman’s signature weapon, used to stun enemies or hit objects satisfying, and you can also play Captain they can make any real improvements. is practically that are out of reach. The Quickfire Batarang can be used to unleash America: Super Soldier which practically Fact is, there’s no way they can ruin it. removed up to three rapid Batarangs in the middle of combat. A Quick copies the mechanic. There are a huge list of The Arkham series has the best, and most to increase Batarang throw is also very effective when discovered by a single games that have been influenced by Freeflow, revolutionary, hand to hand combat system the sense of armed enemy, stunning them to provide enough time to escape. and I’ve taken to using Arkham City as a in any game ever. Disagree? I will fight you. fluidity. Of Ryan Davies

24 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 25 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition himself at the hands of Hugo Strange, a crazed world. Special recognition should go to the individual who now leads Arkham City and scene between Two-Face and who also knows the identity of Batman. It’s close to the start: it’s easily one of the from here that it all begins: after a genuinely best moments of the whole game. jaw-dropping beginning that rivals the pretty amazing opening sequence of Arkham Asylum, But it doesn’t matter how good the story is if Batman finds himself trapped in a make- the title isn’t fun. Gameplay was one of the shift prison that now houses new villains many areas that Arkham Asylum shone in such as Two-Face, Mr Freeze, Penguin and a and Arkham City is no different. There aren’t whole plethora more. Catwoman even rears any game-changing additions to the new her pointy feline ears every now and then. title but there’s just enough for it to remain fun, engrossing and, most of all, fresh for the When the tale is written by (an duration of the game. The brilliant stealth actual author for the Batman comics), you portions from Arkham Asylum return in BATMAN: ARKHAM CITY REVIEW immediately know that the story is going to the sequel and are as amazing as they have be pretty good and it doesn’t disappoint. Over ever been. Stalking enemies in the shadows, the course of the game, Batman finds himself waiting for them to make a move, and then in some tricky situations that will have you on swooping down to take them out before the edge of your seat and when two villains Gadget Tip Platforms: PC. , PS3, Arkham Asylum, even now, remains proof that come together Date: October 2010 not all comic book tie-in titles have to suck, and and fight, it Genre: Action-adventure, beat ‘em up is still considered to be one of the best games genuinely is Publisher: Warner Bros. of the last few years. Since then, fans have been mesmerizing, Interactive Entertainment clamouring to get little tidbits of information coupled with regarding a sequel. That very game titled brilliant dialogue Alongside Spider-Man, Batman is one of the most Arkham City is finally here and a must that develops recognisable comic book characters in history. be asked: can this new title stand tall with its the characters Established in 1939, the Caped Crusader has pointy ears held up high, or should it shrink considerably fought hundreds of villains, starred in thousands back into the darkest corners of the well and of comics and has captured the imagination and and remain there forever? It’s time to find out. Arkham City love of millions of people all around the globe. is a treasure Fires a claw-like projectile that interacts with out of reach With a successful, albeit cheesy, TV show and Arkham City takes place a year after the chest full of objects and pulls them towards the user. In combat, the a fantastic series of films from directors such inmates took over the asylum, and begins with gold for anyone Batclaw can be used on enemies and followed up immediately as and Christopher Nolan, it was Bruce Wayne trying to shut down a closed- who at least by a Strike attack to perform the Batclaw Strike. This does only a matter of time before the Dark Knight off part of Gotham that now houses all of the has an interest double the damage of a normal Strike but takes more took to the world of video games. Various prisoners from both Arkham and Blackgate. in the Batman time to perform, leaving Batman vulnerable to attack. itterations had been published before but After a rally goes slightly wrong, Wayne finds

26 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 27 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition disappearing back into the shadows whilst Batarangs, explosives and the Batclaw, is to make this game as immersive as it is: you forgiven. the others check the area: these parts are just easier than it has ever been thanks to the will be drawn into this world and will not so satisfying. Surprisingly, these moments fact that all of these apparatus have hotkeys want to leave for a very long time. Swooping At first, it seems like the sequel is very similar remain fun all the way through the game assigned so you can take them out and use it between buildings and gliding from great to Mafia 2: a linear game of sorts set in a huge and crop up enough to stop the game from on the fly. The fact that combat consists of a heights makes you feel like Batman, and a open world but it quickly becomes apparent becoming repetitive, but don’t occur too often grand total of four buttons (attack, counter, force to be reckoned with, as you watch the that this is not the case. Yes, Arkham City does that they become unwelcome and annoying. stun and jump/evade) is brilliant and allows ground from the vantage points above like have a linear storyline as you travel from new players to take down foes with ease. the and you are meant one area to the next completing objectives Alongside stealth, Batman is also very good Like most games, Arkham City is not perfect to be. The world of Arkham City is huge at but there is so much more to do. Side quests, with his fists. The fluid hand-to-hand combat and the enemies you fight are one of the about five times the size of the area in the first random encounters, hundreds of hidden system of Arkham Asylum returns once more games very, very few negatives: sometimes game so there’s a lot to explore, see and do. collectibles: Arkham City is a game that is and has a few new additions to it that it’s not exactly fair. Enemies with shields meant to stay in your console for a very long make it feel brand new. and knives do spice it up a bit and require Graphically Batman: Arkham City is pitch time indeed. And you’ll want to explore every Gadgets are now you to use tactics to win but it can become perfect. Characters look fantastic and the city single nook and cranny that the world has to better integrated frustrating when you’re trying to take down looks stunning even as you see it over and offer. Stray off the beaten path and you’ll with the one enemy but a guard with a massive crate over again. The way Batman’s suit gets find Crime Alley, the alleyway where system and decides to throw it at you at the same time. I rougher and rougher as the game Batman’s parents were killed. Veer using understand that it’s meant to be fast but a moves along is genius and the draw in another direction and you may little breathing time every now and then distance is phenomenal with the encounter a cameo from a villain would be very welcome in my opinion. skyline of Gotham City providing like Killer Croc or Calendar Man. the backdrop. Surprisingly, This all contributes to the fact Fans of Arkham Asylum will remember there are very, very few that Arkham City is very that the game was semi-open-world: graphical hiccups. There’s believable and actually Arkham Island was there to explore screen tearing here feels like it could exist but it was more one big courtyard and there and texture (not that we’d want with a few buildings you could pop-in is a little too it to, of course). explore. In the sequel, this frequent but it doesn’t has been expanded: Arkham matter. When the The main story City is a fully open world whole game looks itself isn’t huge to explore and explore this beautiful, at about twelve it you will want to. The small problems hours but that’s world feels very believable like these can perfect. It’s and lived in and is highly be completely not so short atmospheric. Debris blows around the streets, destruction caused by the prisoners is everywhere and shouting in the distance all contributes

28 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 29 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition that it’s over and done with in a flash and practice for the most difficult parts of the it isn’t so long that it’s filled with moments campaign, and the Predator sections will have that are boring and do nothing but drag the you smiling with delight as you realise just length out and diminish your interest in what how much you feel like Batman. Alongside happens next. Of course, with all the side more Challenge Rooms to unlock, there’s quests, collectibles and exploring to do, you also Concept Art and 3D Character Trophies could spend a hundred and twelve hours to get. Even if you only play the campaign finishing it all off. I agree in huge game times once, you’ll be visiting these parts of the but sometimes I would spend an hour doing game for many, many weeks to come. the side missions then return to the main story and don’t have a clue what’s going on because But I assure you, you won’t want to play my mind has been on other things. Thankfully, the campaign just once, mainly because of Rocksteady have included a story synopsis how awesome it is, but also because of the what these missions are. They allow you to an assassin and how fantastic the voice acting option on the main menu and this describes addition of New Game Plus. Finishing the see similar events that tie into the main game in the game is. I’ve reviewed many games in Arkham City perfectly. The developers story once will unlock this, allowing you to but from different perspectives. Catwoman my time here at GameOn, like Gears of War have really thought about what makes a replay the whole campaign but with all of handles very much like Batman in regards to 3, Deus Ex: Human Revolution and LA Noire, good game and have just gone and done it. the upgrades you already have. It’s here that the combat but the way she moves around the but I have never ever given out a 10. Giving Thankfully, I can say it works brilliantly. the game comes alive as you can perform city is a little different: she climbs the walls a game that score generally means that it’s exciting manoeuvres early in the game, instead of swooping along. This is brilliant perfect but that’s not what Arkham City is; And if the main campaign wasn’t enough as you already have the fancy equipment as it allows you to get a breather from the it’s just so good that it’s as close to perfect there’s the Challenge Rooms from Arkham unlocked. Even though the story is only main game and it adds a little diversity into a as you can get. Batman: Arkham City is this Asylum thrown in too, just to make sure twelve hours, you’ll be spending a lot longer game that in fact was pretty diverse to begin generation’s defining title: a game that all you don’t trade in your copy just yet. Like in New Game Plus as it’s just so much fun. with. It’s a welcome addition. I recommend other games will want to be. Rocksteady are most of the game, these have been expanded downloading them before you start the now the developers all other developers will and are as addictive as ever. Combat Rooms For anyone who buys the game brand main game as they are then integrated look up to. If this doesn’t win Game of the will have you playing for ages and are good new, you receive a code that allows you to seamlessly with the main story whereas Year then something is seriously wrong with download four extra you would have to play them separately the world. Just play this and lose yourself missions starring from the main menu if you finish the game in what is, without a doubt, one of the everyones favourite then download them. They’re brilliant. greatest gaming achievements of not just the feminine feline, past few years, but in history. Simply put, Catwoman. These I’m on the third page of writing this review Batman: Arkham City is a masterpiece. aren’t just thrown in and I feel I should be wrapping up now, but Adam Woodward for the sake of it, they I don’t want to. There’s so much I want to tell genuinely change the you, so many more reasons that need to be game. At the start, you told as to why this is the Game of the Year so Batman: see how Catwoman far. I haven’t even mentioned the exciting is kidnapped by Two- encounter with Mr Freeze towards the end, Arkham City Face and you get to the awesome side quest that has you tracking Scored: 10 out 10 play it. That’s exactly

30 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 31 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition aspects of Arkham Gadget Tip City and made it their own but since none of them have been able to replicate them to the original standards of greatness, it shows that even two years later, the gameplay of Arkham City still works. The combat is still as fast and as fluid as it was when This advanced Freeze weapon technology creates a large blast radius it was first released capable of freezing multiple enemies at once. Trapped enemies BATMAN ARKHAM: CITY - A RETROSPECTIVE and sneaking up are free to move their torsos and can still attack, so Batman must Back in October 2011, Batman: Arkham City Without entering the dark areas of on guards before approach enemies with firearms from behind to minimise any . was released to overwhelming critical acclaim, Spoilersville, one of Arkham City’s most breaking their with many citing it as the best title of the year praised features, alongside its visuals and necks, blowing up the floor beneath them or still brilliant: that fact has been mentioned a and a plethora of awards being thrown in gameplay was its storyline, a plot that dangling them from gargoyles is by no means hundred times before but it’s just so true. its direction. Regarded as one of the greatest was not afraid to take the characters to less brilliant now in 2013. This isn’t to suggest third-person action games of all time, it’s easy places few pieces have done before. By that gaming has not developed since the And now, with Arkham Origins hitting shelves to assume that the title still holds up almost simply ‘offing’ one of the franchises most title’s release, however: it is simply proving later this year, Arkham City has another two years later, but with other such acclaimed prominent players, the series is immediately how brilliant and well-crafted Arkham City foe to face against. Instead of following on releases in the same genre having appeared catapulted into previously uncharted was by stating that it has not lost its magic. from City’s conclusion and choosing to detail since then is Arkham City still worthy of the territory as players are left to wonder in Batman’s early adventures, Origins could perfect score this reviewer gave it back in 2011? what direction the next game will take as it But how does Arkham City stand amongst go one of two ways: it could be a complete continues the storyline now its key character, the new Batman canon? With the release of disappointment, which is unlikely, or it could For those who are unaware, Arkham City is a presence so many critics and fans have the final instalment to Christopher Nolan’s knock City off its pedestal as the ultimate the second in the ‘Arkham’ series of Batman commended, is wiped out? As the final masterful trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, game centred on the Caped Crusader. titles from Warner Bros. Interactive, being the seconds of Arkham City play out, it’s simply and a recent announcement that the Caped When the game comes out this October, a successor to Arkham Asylum in 2009 and to be impossible not to have chills ripple down Crusader will be joining Zack Snyder’s comparison between Origin and City could followed by Arkham Origins in October 2013. the back of everyone’s necks and, in some Man of sequel in 2015 - it would be yield interesting results but for now, whilst It follows the story of the Caped Crusader as cases, a single tear may make itself known. incorrect to say that interest in Batman everyone counts down the days to the game’s he uncovers a conspiracy in a cordoned off is decreasing. So with so much brilliance release, it’s more than acceptable to state area of Gotham City that has been transformed But the title works mainly because of the surrounding the franchise, it’s amazing that that Arkham City is a masterpiece and will, into a makeshift, mass-scale prison where multi-faceted, multi-layered gameplay that is Arkham City still stands tall amongst all at least until the next generation hits, remain the most devious villains ever encountered its very beating heart, yet two years later, is the releases, be it on television, the cinema so. Well done, Rocksteady. Well done. by Batman are housed, such as Two-Face, it still as great as it was back in 2011? Recent screen or as a video game. Arkham City is Adam Woodward Poison Ivy, Bane and, of course, the Joker. titles like Remember Me have tried to take

32 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 33 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition I thought the game was - a first impression. Having played literally zero Batman, I thought it would be interesting to see how it goes.

2 mins - This isn’t Batman, it’s Catwoman! What kind of... 3 mins - Ooh, nice smooth combat. Like it, like it. 3 mins - There’s Batman! Oh you don’t. Just some billionaire to you. BATMAN ARKHAM: CITY - A FIRST HOUR, FIRST IMPRESSION wait, he’s been taken. Rats. 6 mins - Why am I still wearing 4 mins - How dare anyone interrupt a a suit in prison? I’ve never played any Batman games. “What kind (£5.24, around $8), filled with all the DLC, news reporter whilst filming a piece to 7 mins - I enjoy these ‘walking’ cutscenes. of a gamer are you?!” - I’ll have you know I’m an including extra side-missions and characters, camera! That’s just uncool man, uncool. Makes you feel like you are part of a movie. excellent one, just never got round to it. Same as I picked myself up an official wired Xbox 4 mins - Certainly a darker game that 8 mins - Some prison they are running here. I haven’t played any BioShock or Resident Evil controller, downloaded and installed the I was expecting. I like the atmosphere 8 mins - Penguin is awfully unattractive. games. Alright, I’ll stop before I drop any last 18GB game. I had a bit of trouble though, well told story, nicely strung 10 mins - Very similar combat to Assassin’s shred of credibility because the day has come; setting the game up to play, as Games for along in the early stages. Creed. Fluid and smart movement and Batman has been experienced and I quite liked it. Windows Live didn’t want to play ball at first, 5 mins - Hugo Strange certainly attacks. Arguably more impressive as meaning I couldn’t save the game originally, lives up to his name. it’s essentially unarmed combat. With the forthcoming release of the third but once that was sorted I got to playing. 5 mins - I don’t fancy being called a bitch, 11 mins - That was the easiest prison Batman title in the Arkham series, I thought I decided to do an hour rundown of how I’m Batman don’tcha know! Oh, I guess escape I’ve ever achieved! it was time to at 12 mins - Good least experience level conveyance, one of the games describing the for myself after objective with points hearing so much to specific buildings. good about them. I 13 mins - Fun felt no better option building scaling than to play the and maneuvering. most recent game. 14 mins - Time to suit up - I’m Batman. After getting the 15 mins - Stunning ‘Game of the Year’ landscapes, I hope edition for the PC this looks as good at an absolute steal

34 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 35 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition on consoles as it does on PC. Gadget Tip 17 mins - Music in fight scenes needs more something- something. Not enough pace in the tunes for the level and pace of combat. 20 mins - Two-face isn’t gifted in the looks department either - starting to The Line Launcher is used to rapidly move horizontally across sense a theme here areas. While riding the Line Launcher, Batman can aim in a with the enemies. new direction and fire this again to change direction without 22 mins - dropping to the ground. Offensively, this gadget can also Catwoman is be used to take down unaware enemies by moving above too obviously them and dropping down to take them out in one move. being a slut However, this powerful move will alert nearby enemies. 23 mins - Enjoying the thrown-object counter move. Catch, throw back, boom. characters talking over other characters. 25 mins - A lot of obligatory millionaire tech. 30 mins - Many different characters Batman: Arkham City is a very likeable come into play very early on, game in . It plays well in terms of starting to get a little confusing. movement, combat and story progression. 35 mins - Nice to know there’s plenty The side missions and variety of mission of dialogue to listen to throughout elements, such as evidence scanning and the game if you wish to do so. investigation parts, invite me to play more 38 mins - Not clear what the green ‘Q’s if given the chance. It’s easy to see why the are around the map. Possible clues modern Arkham games are liked as a series for missions later in the game? - the dark setting and playability appeals 43 mins - Parts of the HUD aren’t to both the keen gamer and lover of the explained. Little frustrating. Batman comics and franchise. I expect no 50 mins - Too much going on! Very confusing less quality in the latest game, out soon. audio and HUD. Trying to move to one James Bralant mission but experiencing a lot of radio traffic that doesn’t seem to be related. Also,

36 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 37 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition to take down all these new bad guys? enemies or attach it between two gargoyles, Does he have any new toys in his arsenal? swing from it and takedown enemies. Has the combat been revamped from in the previous entries in the series? So, we’ve seen the new antagonist in Deathstroke and seen some of his abilities. Absolutely! We have a bunch of new gadgets What do we have in terms of playable we are adding: Shock Gloves which is characters other than Batman? something we revealed here at gamescom which are a pair of electrically charged gloves One of the fan favourite characters from that Batman has, as he’s fighting the enemies the game is Deathstroke himself and we they charge up and eventually when they’re are showing here at gamescom playable fully charged he can unleash them and start Deathstroke who will be a pre-order to devastating attacks like punch through incentive so if you pre-order Batman: INTERVIEW WITH BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS armour and shields and if he hits an enemy Arkham Origins you get Deathstroke and with stun batons they’re likely to flip over, you also get new challenge maps whereby DIRECTOR, ERIC HOLMES if an enemy with a stun baton swipes at you can use his fighting style, gadgets him he can counter and recharge the gloves and abilities and you’ll fight a hundred GameOn: In the demo we saw a new sneaks through the police perimeter against from them. So we have a whole bunch of enemies so a very high end challenge map bad guy, tell us a bit about him? the wishes of the police that are there to face devastating attacks that will help clean up with various enemies including ninjas. down Firefly. We see a very pyrotechnics dangerous encounters very quickly. Another Eric Holmes: At gamescom we revealed and ‘Michael Bay’ version of the bridge with thing we’ve added, a gadget called a Bat Claw, How does Deathstroke compare to Batman? the new assassin, Firefly, for the first time. chunks of it being blown apart. Batman fires a projectile that attaches to its first target He’s someone we’re pretty excited to be facing Firefly is a big, explosive battle. and then it shoots a bat claw to a second target Well, he has his own unique set of gadgets designing in Batman: Arkham Origins, he’s and pulls them together so you can use it to but probably his most distinctive thing is he one of the more physically exotic characters, So you mentioned Batman had to smash enemies together or hurl objects at uses his staff, he’s very similar to batman so we had to design a flight suit, a realistic sneak past the police, why is that? Are in speed and jetpack and a flamethrower weapon for the police not on Batman’s side? abilities. Another him. We’re really proud of the results, we thing is he has think we’ve got a really cool version of that That’s right, at this point in the timeline regenerative character. There have been a bunch of more Arkham Origins takes place early in the abilities so he can quirkier versions of him, but we’re pretty Batman timeline, he’s only been Batman for regenerate his happy with what we’ve got. What we’ve two years and so right now he’s no friend to health during a showcased at gamescom is a reflection of his the police, the police commissioner is a bad fight if he hasn’t persona. At the occasion we’ve revealed he’s man; he’s not a good man, a good cop like taken a hit for a dominated the scene - he’s set off a bunch who’s currently captain. while his health of explosives all across the bride, and he’s starts going threatening to collapse the whole thing and Well, it sounds like Batman has a lot back up again. kill everyone on the bridge, including all the to go up against, especially on his own police officers and his own men. So Batman without any backup so how is he going

38 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 39 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition are no pedestrians going about their daily business, and it can take less than a few minutes to get from one side of the world to the other.

As a result of the added verticality of a city, there is a very different dynamic to navigating the section of Gotham’s slums built to hold environment. BATMAN: ARKHAM - SETTINGS inmates of the decidedly inadequate Arkham Building on the basic, descent-slowing Batman: Arkham Asylum buildings, these locations are connected by Asylum and Blackgate Penitentiary. glide from Batman: Arkham Asylum, Bats Arkham Asylum is one of the most iconic open grounds that come with their own set is given the ability to dive bomb, pulling locations in comic book lore. The psychiatric of challenges such as sniper inmates and The area - known as Arkham City - was a up at the last moment and using the hospital has been the backdrop for countless mutated plant pods. Since the entire game drastic change Batman adventures as well as the home for many takes place over the course of one night, from what was of his legendary villains. This made it the perfect outdoor areas are just as dreary as the on offer in the Gadget Tip setting for London-based Rocksteady Studios’ interiors, resulting in a dark and gloomy first game: debut action title featuring the Caped Crusader. atmosphere that is perfectly Batman. open areas of land with just For a game set entirely in one location, there is Batman: Arkham City a few scattered a great deal of variety to the environments in The level of quality achieved by Rocksteady’s buildings were Arkham Asylum. Whether exploring Intensive portrayal of the asylum, both visually and in replaced by Treatment’s claustrophobic corridors, the terms of level design, is highly commendable. sprawling overgrown Botanical Gardens or the dingy But having already created such a perfect city streets Underground Sewers, each area feels unique and complete rendition of Arkham Asylum, and towering and, most importantly, believable. This sense the question remained - where do you set skyscrapers. of authenticity is mainly due to the staggering the sequel? The series’ intricate level design Fans expecting a amount of detail that was put into the world, and enclosed stealth arenas put a totally location on par with each scene containing dozens of easter open city, à la Spider-man 2, out of the with GTA IV will Deployed to cause an -based explosion that will freeze an eggs, riddles, and other elements that fill in the question, but there simply aren’t any other be disappointed enemy in position for an extended period of time. This can be used history of Arkham Asylum and its inhabitants. locations in Batman’s mythos that offer the though, as the effectively in combat situations. Additionally, the Freeze Blast is same scale and variety of Arkham Island. place is still a powerful enough to freeze water of any temperature, creating a While most of Arkham Asylum’s action In the end, Rocksteady contrived a middle prison - there temporary platform capable of supporting Batman’s weight. takes place inside the complex’s various ground between the two: a cordoned-off

40 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 41 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition speed to gain extra height when gliding. their work cut out if they want to achieve the Batman’s grapple hook is also given a boost same level of detail seen in the first two games. If you liked this special edition, be sure to check out upgrade, allowing him to launch into the air after a grapple and continue gliding. The fact that Batman: Arkham Origins is a The GameOn Magazine at the links below by clicking. prequel means that there will likely be a Combining these movement mechanics makes different feel to the city: we will be seeing getting around Arkham City a breeze, but Gotham at the height of its power, before they also mean you’ll spend most of your being walled off and torn apart by its low life Kindle UK time flying through the sky and jumping criminals. However, since the game’s events from rooftop to rooftop. Impressively, occur on the night of Eve, expect the game’s setting is just as detailed as the city to have the same desolate atmosphere Kindle International its predecessor, but the majority of the that exuded from the first two games. easter eggs, such as Crime Alley and Flying Graysons posters, are at street-level, meaning In developing the next Arkham game, Warner Full Colour they will be missed by many players. Bros. Games Montréal have the challenge of taking on one of the most highly acclaimed Batman: Arkham Origins franchises of this generation. But thanks to Other Special Editions Very few games have attempted to include the groundwork laid down by Rocksteady an accurate open world portrayal of Gotham in Batman: Arkham City as well as the new City, and arguably none have achieved this area of New Gotham, there’s a good chance goal. However, this seems to be the aim of we’ll get to play around in the biggest, most Warner Bros. Games Montréal, who are at realistic depiction of Gotham City yet. the helm of the new prequel to the series. Matt Girdler Gone are the walls enclosing Old Gotham, the slums that will eventually become Arkham City. Now Batman is given free roam over the whole area from the previous title as well as the upmarket New Gotham, an entirely new section. With the world size effectively doubled, the developers have

42 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 43 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition the Batman: Arkham series have announced and Bane making their come back again to they wanted to further expand the cast of seek revenge against Batman for their own enemies and have brought a few of the fan’s enjoyment. The Arkham games have yet to favourites back in the upcoming new game; fail with their decisions on the enemies faced Arkham Origins. Much like its predecessor, by Batman and Arkham Origins isn’t looking Arkham Origins is set to have one focused to be set out to fail any time soon either. ‘main’ enemy and a string of sub-stories, From studying the trailers alone fans and riddles and adventures for the player to gamers alike can see the unique experience experience throughout their game play, one of each and every enemy will offer, from simple which being the fantastically evil Mad Hatter, combat to advanced stealth, gadget use and aka Jarvis Tech. We’d previously encountered technique. With a mixture of riddles and the mad man back in Arkham City during mind tricks by the Mad Hatter and a good ol’ a mind altering experience which left the fisty cuff with Bane and Deathstroke, Arkham player desiring more and thanks to regular Origins is set to be another huge success for THE BADDIES OF BATMAN feedback on their Facebook and Twitter pages, Batman and his trusty gadgets. Let’s just hope Superheroes; everyone wants to be one - or with the same typical style - the green haired, Warner Bros. Montreal have listened to the this time around there’s no sneaky trophy saved by one*insert typical swooning here*. white faced, red lipped psycho who loves fans and brought us exactly what we desired that seems to allude me at every turn. But, in this article we’re going to spin around nothing more than to get on “Bat’s” good side - side missions based around chasing a rabbit Heather Cook and appreciate the villains, the bad guys, the and knows exactly which buttons to press. through Arkham. Though there’s been no crooks, the nasties; whatever you call them, further insight as to the world of the wouldn’t exist Over the last two games that have been what we can expect Gadget Tip without them. Gotham’s black has released in the Arkham franchise to date, from Tech, anyone who experienced his fair share of nutjobs who’ve ‘Batman: Arkham Asylum’ and ‘Batman: has played through the been out to either get him directly for their Arkham City’, there has been a focus on the encounter will be aware own seething revenge, or to attack Gotham Joker as the main for Batman the experience is not City and its civilians with a crazy idea thought to face off against. Others feature, showing one that is forgotten up during a month of “bad guy PMT.” their own traits and personalities as you play any time soon. through the game; such as The Riddler and Having been born from the comic book world, his trophies which are collected during game Touching upon new Batman has quickly risen to become one of play by completing certain puzzles that have enemies is only part of the most loved superheroes of the last 74 been left for you - one of the features of the the upcoming Arkham years, fighting through a variety of criminal game which I personally became hooked upon Origins, however, as masterminds with the aim to keep his beloved attempting to gather to 100% completion. well as the introduction The Pellet floods an area with disorientating smoke, Gotham City safe from the gangs who roam There’s still one alluding me, though I’ve of Deathstroke, allowing Batman to safely escape while under fire. Additionally, the streets. The villains paying him visits sworn myself to not cheat so it may forever Copperhead and Black if a group of enemies are targeted with the Smoke Pellet they thick and fast, including the most famous stay as unknown, my personal “supervillain”. Mask (to name but a can then be taken down silently during the confusion. When one of all, The Joker - a supervillain whose few) there are also some used in combat, enemies will panic and attack wildly, often stories of origin vary across the wide variety With the success of the two previous games old faces - Penguin hitting each other. Requires a recharge time after use. of media in which he is presented, but always it came as no surprise that the publishers of

44 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 45 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition high. Further significant Gadget Tip changes are the departures of other key Arkham figures including notable voice actors and Mark Hamill as Batman and Joker respectively. The Remote Electrical Charge provides electricity to powered BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS E3 PREVIEW Paul Dini, down generators and electromagnets. Additionally, it can be the writer of fired at enemies to administer a localised, non-lethal, electric the previous shock. This is particularly effective against armoured assailants. instalments, was also jettisoned for a new team with additional support little seems to have substantially changed in Platforms: PC. Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U Tackling the age-old problem of the tricky from figures at DC Comics. gameplay terms. We jumped straight onto the Date: October 2013 three-quel, Batman: Arkham Origins sticks to It seems that Warner Bros. were keen to inject streets of Gotham as snow lined the streets Genre: Action-adventure, beat ‘em up convention and moves the story back in time some new blood into the series and when and decorations littered the sidewalks and Publisher: Warner Bros. to form a precursor to the first title. Initially we sat down we were surprised to find that rooftops. However, far from a tranquil winter, Interactive Entertainment we were disappointed with this revelation, the city is as expecting the franchise to continue its forward dangerous as The Batman: Arkham series is unquestionably momentum onto even bigger and better things. ever thanks to the one of the biggest success stories of this Equally, the departure of Rocksteady Studios work of several generation. Developer Rocksteady Studios’ also raised concerns as their understanding new villains clear reverence for the source material and an and handling of Batman as a character and a operating in the innovative approach to combat meant that 2009’s property was particularly careful and astute. urban sprawl. Batman: Arkham Asylum was met with critical Recently, we got the opportunity to spend Batman: Arkham praise and healthy sales. Batman: Arkham some hands-on time with the game and found, Origins takes City cemented the series’ position as a modern thankfully, that little has been done to deviate place roughly classic with some of the best review scores ever away from the established Arkham formula. five years before seen. However, it was not immediately clear Replacing the original developers is Canadian the events of where a sequel would take the Dark Knight. studio Warner Bros. Games Montreal and the first game there is no question that expectations are

46 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 47 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition in the series and follows the Dark Knight as much of Gotham under his control. Black he is adjusting to his life as a crime-fighting Mask offers a $50 million reward for the death . When speaking with the developers of Batman, prompting a host of dangerous they mentioned drawing inspiration from mercenaries and killers to descend on the the influential Batman: Year One, choosing city in the hope of claiming the prize. to focus on a period where the hero is still It is a clever plot move from Warner Bros. learning and starting to encounter more Games Montreal and has given them deadly foes. As such, his appearance has been free reign to introduce a range of adjusted accordingly and his suit is still a other popular DC characters into work in progress, compiled of various pieces the Arkham universe. Alongside of experimental and scavenged technology. returning favourites such Set during the depths of winter, close to as Bane, the Penguin Christmas, Batman: Arkham Origins sees the and Joker are less Dark Knight being targeted by the enigmatic and sinister Black Mask. Horribly disfigured by an accident with the cosmetics his company produces, he now conceals his identity behind a mask allowing him to remain undetected. Acting as a powerful leader in the criminal community, he has

48 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 49 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition mainstream figures get into position above them and size up the relatively daunting prospect but after one or including Deadshot, crowd. Black Mask’s plan has raised criminal two encounters proved fairly straightforward Anarky, Copperhead activity in the city, overwhelming police and to dispatch. Covered in a thick layer of body and the Mad Hatter. necessitating the Dark Knight’s involvement. armour and usually surrounded by a squad of, These villains are set Dropping in on the gang we were pleased usually armed, minions; he is invincible until to provide substantial to see that combat was still fresh, crisp his shielding is removed. By stunning him challenge and add a and responsive. Chaining moves together and removing the armour in the dazed state, new degree of menace and evading attacks feels like second he can then be defeated. The main challenge to Batman’s early nature almost instantaneously. If anything, was removing his surrounding guard while career. Choosing Black the combat felt tighter than Batman: avoiding his slow but high damage attacks. Mask as the primary Arkham City and a nearby developer Neither new opponent seemed to make a antagonist is a clever assured us only minor changes have been huge difference to combat in the brief time move, not only does his implemented but they certainly seemed we had with the game, which was something veiled persona mirror to show. However, fundamentally nothing of a surprise. Warner Bros. Games Montreal the Dark Knight’s, but strikingly new was immediately obvious. may have been worried about damaging his less prominent It took us a few brawls to encounter the two the balance of the game but it seems more reputation gives the new enemies the developer’s have added: the likely that these new additions will be scaled developers greater Martial Artist and the Armoured Lieutenant. and introduced with greater frequency freedom to move the The Martial plot in new directions. Artist was able to Sadly, our hands-on block, evade and Gadget Tip time with the game counter attacks was incredibly light and proved on plot details and we to be a fairly were not able to get challenging an impression of any opponent when of the new voice cast encountered in or any greater insight a larger group. into the narrative. In one rooftop Instead, we began -up we stalking the streets of were faced with Gotham in search of several at once criminals who needed and had to use bringing to . a lot of dodges The Cryptographic Sequencer is used to hack into security Spotting a patrolling and fast attacks consoles and unlock access to secure areas. After recovering gang of ominous to beat them. an encryption key, the Sequencer enables Batman to lock looking thugs, we used The Armoured on to secure radio broadcasts which are subsequently Batman’s grapple to Lieutenant stored, tracked and played back by the Batcomputer. was another

50 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 51 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition paused the recreation and climbed to the top of to be tethered together sending them flying a building. Slowly playing the events, we were into one another. Initially it seemed to in a perfect position to see a sniper shot hit be a situational weapon but its ability to the chopper identifying the cause of the crash. take out two enemies was very useful. Again, pausing the reconstruction, we could As so much of the Arkham series rests on the see where the shot came from and follow it to switch between stealth and combat, it was a nearby building and another crime scene. pleasing to see this fine balance retained and This seems like one of the biggest additions developed with a few subtle additions. While to the game and it seems likely that several some critics may be disappointed at the lack puzzles will utilise these mechanics. The of innovation and evolution of the gameplay, use of the Cryptographic Sequencer to scan fans will no doubt be relishing the chance to and move around in the timeline was very clear up the streets of Gotham once again. straightforward and it felt like a natural Despite the absence of many new single- addition to the other puzzles present in player features, the story is one of the biggest the earlier games. It was also a great way selling points to Batman: Arkham Origins to provide variation to the gameplay and with a dark and complex tale promised. as the title progresses. It would have been to the critical point was fairly intense and help break up the combat with a meatier There is clearly a lot more still to learn about interesting to see how dangerous these required Batman to defeat a number of and more time-consuming challenge. this entry into the series, with a multiplayer enemies were in larger numbers or more enemies before the bomb could be disabled. Our gameplay demonstration came to a mode being recently announced. Being confined areas, but we are hoping they will What was rather unclear was the rewards and close with a chance to use the Dark Knight’s separately developed by Splash Damage, make more of an impact than in this preview. benefits of completing these side quests, but stealth abilities. Entering into the lobby of a the multiplayer component will see up to While roaming the streets Batman’s there are many located throughout the city. hotel, a group of guards patrolled. Using the eight players fighting it out online with Cryptographic Sequencer pointed to two Our Cryptographic Sequencer directed us grapple to ascend into the darkness above some taking on the role of Batman and main types of side mission. The first, Crimes to the smouldering wreckage of a crashed we used Batman’s abilities to pick them Robin, with the remainder acting as Bane in Progress, involved Batman reaching helicopter outside a large building. Here, off one by one. One new addition was the or Joker’s henchman. It is an interesting a specific location around Gotham and another new gameplay element was Remote Claw, which provided some sadistic prospect and we are hoping to get our encountering Black Mask’s forces. We foiled introduced: reconstructing crime scenes. fun to knocking enemies unconscious. This hands on it soon to try it for ourselves. a bank robbery, with a group of tough Using Batman’s detective abilities and the allows two objects (or unwitting opponents) Chris Wakefield enemies including Armoured Lieutenant. Cryptographic Sequencer, it is possible to solve It felt natural and fitted in perfectly with various crime scenes scattered throughout the story and feel of the game without Gotham. After examining various pieces of appearing to be a jarring additional mission. the wreckage and surrounding buildings, Similarly, while flitting across rooftops we we were able to create an interactive discovered a Most Wanted mission. Here reconstruction of the crash itself. Anarky has planted a series of bombs across A timeline option becomes available, allowing the city, which must be diffused using the Batman to move throughout the sequence of Cryptographic Sequencer within a specific events as they happened, displayed in game as time limit. The across the rooftops a translucent holograph. Spotting something suspicious before the crash happened; we

52 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 53 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition individual who has taken up the mantle he goes insane, becoming the of being the Yin to Batman’s Yang. famous super villain. Like Batman, the Joker doesn’t possess There’s been countless stories involving the superpowers but instead relies on his high two titans but perhaps the most famous is the intelligence and willingness to push Batman murder of , the second to the limits of his own moral code. A Robin. The story marked the genuine psychopath, the Joker’s first time Batman seriously range of gag devices such considered killing the Joker, an as a flower that squirts acid act he swore never to commit and his Joker gas exemplify for fear of becoming the very his warped and sadistic evil he was trying to fight. sense of humour. Robin Throughout his First Appearance: CHARACTER BIOGRAPHIES prolific history, Detective Comics Batman mentally unstable members of his famous multiple #38 (1940) First Appearance: Detective Comics #27 (1939) ‘Rogue’s Gallery’. The Joker, Scarecrow, Bane origin and the Riddler are just a small sample of stories The younger The caped crusader arguably has the richest the kind of depravity Batman must face on a have half of the history of any superhero and if he had aged regular basis, so it’s a good job he has help. been Dynamic like the rest of us mortals, he’d sure have some The still divisive boy wonder; Robin, remains given for Duo, stories to tell to the folks at the care home. To Batman’s most famous ally, but others such how the insane Robin’s detail Batman’s entire crime-fighting history as , Commissioner Gordon, Alfred came to be. The most widely history is as would require a giant tome’s worth of writing, and the anti-hero, Catwoman all support Mr. known of these involves convoluted as the Wachowski so for the sake of your attention span and Wayne when he dons the cape and cowl. the Joker starting out Bros. Matrix Trilogy. If you our fingers, we’ll keep it short and sweet. life by falling into take into account all of the Although he has no super powers, a vat of chemical parallel and alternate Created by and , Bruce Batman is still regarded to be one of waste which dimensions of the DC Wayne is a billionaire playboy who was the greatest superheroes ever created. subsequently universe that have been traumatised as a young lad when he witnessed With the combination of his intellect, bleaches his created over the years, the murder of his parents. Subsequently detective skills and steely will, Batman skin and then there’s a whopping swearing revenge and reinforced with an is truly a force to be reckoned with. turns five different Robins. unbending sense of justice, Bruce trains his hair himself to peak physical and mental The Joker green. The first and condition and dons the iconic suit. First Appearance: Batman #1 (1940) Upon probably most seeing famous Robin Making base in his Batcave on the outskirts Batman’s greatest enemy and arguably his new was Dick of Gotham City, the Dark Knight spends one of the most iconic villains ever makeover, Grayson. Like the majority of his time apprehending the created, The Joker is a severely depraved

54 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 55 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition Batman, Grayson’s parents were murdered and subsequently trains vigorously to when he was just eight years old. Whilst become the third Robin. Drake’s popularity investigating the crime, Batman discovers saw him achieve his own spin off series Grayson and places him under his protection, of comics that ran for over a decade. becoming his legal . As he grew up, Grayson became Robin, eventually working Alfred J. Pennyworth with Batman to bring his parent’s murderers First Appearance: Batman #16 (1943) to justice. As he grows older, Grayson leaves his partnership with Batman and becomes A lifelong friend of the Wayne family and protector of his own city as . Batman’s eternal confidant, Alfred has been a stalwart member of the Batman Jason Todd, the second Robin never achieved mythos. An eternal fan favourite, the the same popularity as . Taking family butler has traditionally been seen notice of Todd’s notable unpopularity, DC as a surrogate father for Wayne ever since decided to run a telephone poll with readers his parents were murdered as a boy. to decide whether Todd should be killed off or not. By a slim margin, readers voted to have Most recently portrayed by British institution Todd killed off by the Joker in the ‘Death in Sir Michael Caine, the character has been the Family’ storyline. However, years later unyielding in his devotion to Batman’s Jason Todd reappears as the , an crusade for justice and would give anything identity originally belonging to the Joker. for the protection of his friend. Alfred not only serves his master diligently, but he The third and final of the ‘true’ Robins was also offers some much needed comic relief . Unlike his predecessors, Drake for the dark backdrop that is Batman’s wasn’t an orphan but instead witnessed the steely persona and the friendship between murder of Grayson’s parent’s as a young the two forms the heart of the series. boy. Drake deduces Batman’s real identity

56 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 57 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition Catwoman A constant love interest of the Bat both in had little interest in their own son, First Appearance: Batman #1 (1940) and out of costume, Kyle uses her cat alter preferring instead to elevate and ego to make a name for herself as a master maintain their social status among Originally known as ‘The Cat’ in her first thief. With super fast reflexes, apparel and of Gotham City. Although appearance, Catwoman is the quintessential weapons that you would find in an Roman’s parents detested the Wayne femme fatale of the Batman universe. S&M store, Catwoman is a desirable family, their desire to stay in the Enigmatic in her intentions, she ally and a dangerous foe. A fan upper echelons of society meant has on numerous occasions been favourite, Catwoman took a they continued to praise them in an ally and adversary of the Bat hiatus in the 1960s only to public despite their private disgust. seemingly choosing to align herself reappear better than ever. on either side to suit her own goals. Roman eventually falls in love with a Most recently portrayed girl, , who works for his father’s Catwoman’s origin story is actually by Anne Hathaway in company: Janus Cosmetics. Despite rather complex. In her original The Dark Knight Rises, his affection for the girl, Roman’s appearance as the Cat, her real the character shows parents deem his partner to be of poor name was never revealed and no sign of losing her social stature, demanding he end the the now instantly recognisable following, so expect her relationship. Enraged at his parent’s costume donned by Selina to play an important role vain sentiments, Roman burns down Kyle was yet to exist. in Arkham Origins. his parent’s home, murders them Instead disguising and takes over the family business. herself as an old Black Mask woman, Batman First Appearance: With little business acumen, the intentionally lets her Batman #386 (1985) fledgling criminal runs the family escape from a heist by business into the ground, which is blocking Robin from A relatively young member subsequently rescued by Wayne apprehending her. of Batman’s Rogue’s Gallery, enterprises. Humiliated and Black Mask’s youth hasn’t embarrassed, Roman refuses to In the interim years made him any less of an blame himself and instead visits his before her current adversary for the Dark parent’s graves to desecrate them. history was established, Knight. Black Mask, unlike Whilst there, Roman is struck by a multiple occupations most of Batman’s enemies, lightning and knocked out on a have been applied has a personal reason to nearby headstone. Upon waking and to the anti-heroine’s hate Bruce Wayne, and seeing the event as an omen, Roman real identity, ranging subsequently Batman. takes a piece of shattered stone and from flight attendant, carves the material into a mask, teenage runaway Born into an marking the birth of the crime lord to even working as extremely wealthy and Arkham Origin’s main antagonist. a dominatrix. and vain family, Joe Pring Roman Sionis’ parent’s

58 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 59 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition Bane and Joker’s gang consist of ‘Super-Villain But it’s not all thugs and capes. Elite’ thugs, and come with some enhanced That would be too easy. abilities and gadgets that set them apart from enemies in the single-player. Bane and Joker At any given moment during a , give their gang things to use like EMP charges team leaders can call in and demand and drones that can be flown around the map to join the fray. A door on the map is to fire missiles. The weapons they use are an highlighted, and thugs may drop what assortment of lethal guns and explosives, and they’re doing and race to it. Whoever gets each thug has an ‘Enhanced ’ that acts there first plays as either Bane or the Joker, like an x- for a limited period of time on a depending on their gang allegiance. rechargeable battery, but is easily scrambled. These special characters have only one life, but Batman and Robin can use gadgets from past are by far the most powerful in the game. The games, such as Batarangs, Explosive Gel, Joker has an arsenal of much more powerful BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS MULTIPLAYER Smoke Pellets and the Grapple Gun. Combat weapons, and his joy buzzer can be used as ‘Tacked-on multiplayer’ is a term that instills mode announced, and will pit three options are similar to single-player, with melee. Bane can hurl enemy thugs around fear in the heart of many a gamer. Over the thugs each from Bane and Joker’s gangs the stealth team able to make use of floor the map and smash them into walls and other years, we’ve seen many established franchises against one another in a territorial dispute, grates and vents to ambush their enemies, scenery, and if he gets ahold of Batman, he develop multiplayer modes that are often while two players take up the mantle of or gargoyles regarded as unnecessary additions to the single- Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder. The to drop on the player campaign - acclaimed series such as Dynamic Duo must keep to the shadows unsuspecting Gadget Tip Mass Effect, Tomb Raider, Assassin’s Creed and and perform stealth takedowns in order to and perform BioShock have all attempted this transition, intimidate both gangs into submission. glide kicks. and to varying degrees of success. Now it For the sake would seem that it’s Batman’s turn to try. The villain teams have a limited number of balance, of respawns, but these can be increased however, these Batman: Arkham Origins marks a new by taking out either Batman or Robin. moves will not era for the franchise in more ways than Hacking terminals - the main objective of work if the one - we have a new developer taking the the thug teams - also affects the number of thug is looking mantle, the chronology of the series is being reinforcements available to each gang. The straight at the shaken up, and now it has been announced stealth team, Batman and Robin, have their player. Both that the game will have multiplayer. And own objective. Performing various predator Batman and not just any multiplayer - a new 3 vs. 3 takedowns on unsuspecting enemies will fill Robin have A liquid explosive useful to temporarily incapacitate enemy vs. 2 mode that marks a bold attempt to up an ‘intimidation bar’ that, when filled, unlimited use targets, or explode through structural weaknesses. Up to blend third-person shooting mechanics will cause the Joker and Bane to recall their of the ‘Detective three charges can be placed at any given time and these can with traditional Arkham gameplay. thugs and end the war. Be warned, however, Mode’ seen in be detonated simultaneously or independently. Features that using the same stealth moves repeatedly previous games. a built in proximity detector. Use the Quickfire Explosive 3 vs. 3 vs. 2 - otherwise known as ‘Invisible will fill the bar slower, so variation is key. Gel to seamlessly include this gadget during combat. Predator Online’ - is the first competitive

60 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 61 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition true) that indicated other villains would play a part in the multiplayer. Characters mentioned include: Killer Croc, Black Mask, Firefly, Deadshot, and Deathstroke. It’s possible that these will appear in multiplayer modes that have not yet been announced.

breaks his back. I wonder whether the Joker Already there is much scepticism across the kills Robin by pummelling him to death with internet as to the necessity of a multiplayer a crowbar while Batman watches on... mode in an Arkham game. With new developers in charge, it’s understandable It has been confirmed that there will be a that people don’t want such a fantastic customisation element to the multiplayer, series to be ruined, and the last outing of and that upgrades such as new weapons, British developer Splash Damage (the team extra loadout slots, and outfit personalisation tasked with designing the multiplayer) was are available. Specific gadgets can be 2011’s rather underwhelming Brink. modified and upgraded, and there are various skins available, such as Tim That said, I think the multiplayer is shaping Drake’s Robin suit from Arkham City and up very nicely indeed. There are a lot of a Batman skin from the animated series. new and interesting ideas to be seen here, a lot of unique content that I believe will Dick Grayson is confirmed as the character really make good use of the Arkham series’ behind Robin’s mask. Anyone who’s read framework. And I can’t help but find the ’s Batman: Year One - set in the allure of dangling my friends upside down same period as Arkham Origins - will tell you from gargoyles very enticing indeed. that this doesn’t make sense. It’s been justified, however, by the confirmation that Robin is Batman: Arkham Origins’ multiplayer will be a multiplayer exclusive character and will available at release on the 25th of October, not show up in the single-player campaign. for the PS3, Xbox 360 and PC worldwide. The Wii U version won’t include multiplayer. Though unconfirmed, published a list Thom Whyte of rumours in April (many of which have come

62 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 63 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition two Arkham games. However, we did get to see one new gadget in action - the Shock Gloves.

Used primarily in a combat role, the Shock Gloves provide Batman with BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS GAMESCOM PREVIEW an electrical Jim Gordon becoming Commissioner, and boost that has several different effects on the that at the beginning of the game Batman way he fights. Firstly, and most obviously, his is a wanted vigilante, being pursued by electrically charged attacks do more damage the police like any other high-profile than his standard melee moves. The shock criminal. It is not unreasonable speculation gloves also allow him to bypass enemy shields then to assume that Batman may have easily, and defend himself against electricity- to avoid or even fight against the police based enemy attacks. By countering the moves Platforms: PC. Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U on in Gotham City. This new forces during the course of the game. of thugs wielding stun sticks, Batman can Date: October 2013 addition to the roster is Firefly, a pyromaniac even recharge the Shock Gloves mid-combat. Genre: Action-adventure, beat ‘em up costumed criminal who wields a flamethrower As Batman progressed through the demo Publisher: Warner Bros. and takes to the air using his jetpack. we got to see Interactive Entertainment various stealth In the gamescom demonstration, Batman and combat At gamescom 2013 we got to see some new was struggling in a race against time to sections unfold. content for the upcoming Batman: Arkham disarm several bombs that Firefly had As reported in Origins. Our recent hands-on preview from planted on Gotham Bridge, which links the our E3 preview, E3 2013 provided most everything you need city’s two islands together. The police were these elements to know about the title, but we would be en-route to the scene, but if they arrived remain mostly remiss if we didn’t fill you in on all the latest before Batman’s task was done then Firefly unchanged updates from our most recent experience. would manually destroy the bridge. from the tried and tested One of the principle announcements from We didn’t see the police in the demo, nor are formula the latest demonstration was the reveal of a we sure what part the police department established by new antagonist in the game, one of the eight will play in proceedings. What we do know Rocksteady in elite assassins who are hunting down Batman is that the plot of Origins is set prior to the previous

64 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 65 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition experience, is that Warner Bros. Montreal are very much taking their cues from the previous entries in the series and not overly complicating the formula for Batman: Arkham Origins with sweeping enemies in an effort to defeat them all whilst changes. However, the new gadgets and scoring the maximum possible points. new enemies will certainly go some ways to refreshing the experience and adding a This section was playable and a brief hands-on little something extra. There is still more with Deathstroke revealed him to be a slightly to learn and with new information slowly different combatant in terms of style; overall trickling out as we approach the October feeling slightly slower, but slightly harder release date, we are very much looking hitting than Batman. He also comes equipped forward to the next tidbit being revealed. with his Power Staff and a number of unique Chris Wakefield Although primarily a combat gadget, the of-the-way locations or set ambushes. gadgets to assist him in combat, as well as Shock Gloves were demonstrated to have other At the end of the demonstration we saw regenerative uses that will benefit exploration and puzzle Batman confront Firefly and, upon hitting abilities that solving - namely the ability to restore power to him with his Grapnel Gun, he was dragged will almost uncharged electrical devices and machinery. through the air in a short scene which left certainly come him battered and bruised. The demo faded in handy We also saw some more footage of the out before combat could begin, but it was when facing Remote Claw in action, which Batman clear that Firefly is going to be no pushover off against 100 uses to target two objects and pull them and that a substantive boss battle is likely. opponents. towards each other. Used in combat, this gadget causes two targeted enemies to Also shown at gamescom was an exclusive Once again the smash into each other, or can be used to DLC bonus available to players who pre- highlighting propel an object towards an enemy. The order Batman: Arkham Origins. This factor in the Remote Claw was also used to solve several additional content features an extra gamescom environmental puzzles, and to create a wire challenge map, in which a player-controlled presentation, walkway that Batman can use to reach out- Deathstroke will face off against 100 as with the E3

66 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 67 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition sense of style to proceedings that made this iteration stand out from its peers.

Of course, a significant effect of the move away from the 3D environment is the loss of a fully open, explorable environment and, if the short section BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS BLACKGATE PREVIEW still (based on our short time with the game) we played is any indication, Blackgate will present in this title, and players familiar play very much as a linear experience. It’s with the franchise will have no trouble in a lamentable loss, as a significant part of picking this up and fighting like a pro. the Arkham experience was tied into the exploration and discovery element (Riddler Batman’s gadgets will also make an trophies anyone?). Blackgate attempts to appearance and can be found scattered alleviate this loss by introducing several throughout the game. Our demo was, hidden locations to find. It’s not the same, Platforms: PS Vita, 3DS antagonist and that the game will feature presumably, set in the early part of the but it’s a nod in the right direction. Date: October 2013 Batman’s first meeting with Catwoman. game and our inventory limited; but we Genre: Action-adventure, beat ‘em up had the Grapnel Gun allowing us access To assist you in finding these hidden locations, Publisher: Warner Bros. The most obvious change in the gameplay is to out-of-the-way locations and the ability and in solving the various puzzles throughout Interactive Entertainment the transition from a full 3D environment to to tear open hard to reach air vents. the game, detective mode makes a welcome a “2.5D” side-scroller. Inevitably this has a At gamescom 2013 we got the chance to significant impact on the overall experience, We also enjoyed the have a brief hands-on experience with the yet despite such a sweeping change (driven cut scene sections, PlayStation Vita version of Batman: Arkham most likely by the 3DS’ lack of a second which in Blackgate Origins Blackgate, which will be releasing analog stick) the gameplay demo we enjoyed are presented as in a this October on both the Vita and the 3DS. was still distinctly Arkham-esque in feel. comic board style as opposed to full-motion Blackgate will take place shortly after the Combat in particular feels remarkably similar, cinematics. While events of the upcoming Arkham Origins, despite the transition away from the 3D this steps away from and be centred around Batman investigating environments. Batman’s repertoire of moves the style of the home a disturbance around Blackgate prison. still revolves around fast-moving dodges, console series, they Little was revealed in terms of plot details, combos, stuns and counter-moves. The flow were well designed except that the Penguin will feature as an and intuition present in the Arkham series is and injected a fresh

68 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 69 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition only minor control mapping changes as a result of the hardware. The 3DS’s second screen will also be dedicated to a map, which was only available at a button press on the Vita.

Due to hardware differences, the Vita version return; and in one of the best uses of the features a slightly higher resolution than PlayStation Vita’s touch screen technology we that its 3DS counterpart. Of course, the have experienced in our time with the system. 3DS makes up for this with its 3D effects, so it’s a tradeoff that has to be considered Detective mode is activated simply by for those with access to both platforms. touching your finger against the screen, and dragging it over the environment highlights The lack of an open world and the transition points of interest in a fairly generous radius to a 2D play environment means that around the digit. Hovering directly over Blackgate cannot be accurately compared one of these points opens an on-screen text to the rest of the Arkham series in terms of box displaying useful information about the overall experience. However, it is set to be object highlighted. It’s an excellent way of an extremely accomplished side-scrolling incorporating detective mode directly into adventure that successfully captures the the experience without making it an entirely feel of being the Batman, and so is likely separate entity by mapping it to a button press, to be a welcome addition to the gaming and is arguably a better method of integration collection of those who are seeking to expand than that found it the home console games. on their experience with the franchise.

We only got time with the PlayStation Vita Batman: Arkham City Origins Blackgate version of Blackgate during our gamescom is being developed by experience, but of course we took the and will be released on PlayStation opportunity to make enquiries on the Vita and 3DS on October 25th 2013. differences between our demo and that on Ross D. Brown offer on the 3DS. Essentially, we were told, the game is the same on each platform with

70 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition 71 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition See you in Gotham

72 • GameOn Magazine Batman Arkham Special Edition