Batman: Arkham City

[Arkham Noir]

I've been dying to make this thread for awhile but wanted to wait for enough details to surface first.

Alright, so Batman: Arkham City is the highly anticipated sequel to 2009's Batman: Arkham Asylum. The first game was a huge success and breathed a much needed life into Batman video games and even , to a degree, super hero games. There have been some details revealed about the game and those are:

-- Catwoman , Two-Face/ Harvey Dent, Harley Quinn, and Hugo Strange are all confirmed to play a large role in the story.

-- The setting for the game (Arkham city, a secluded Gotham slum created to house in-mates while the Asylum is being repaired after the events of the first game) is reported as being about five times larger than that of Arkham Asylum.

-- Despite massive rumors, there is no multiplayer feature.

The release date is said to be October 3rd 2011 (not sure about specific countries)

So what do you all think of this up-coming title? Are you anticipating it as much as I am? Do you think it will live up to the hype? Is there any characters you are hoping are going to be included?

**I've included the trailer, some screen shots, and links for those who are intrested.**


Trailer

Spoiler

[YOUTUBE]v=eoQkSCzawXY&feature=player_detailpage[/YOUTUBE]
in case the video doesn't display, here's the link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoQkSCzawXY&feature=related

Screenshots

Spoiler

Links

Spoiler

http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/01/batman-arkham-city-environment-five-times-bigger-than-the-asylu/

http://www.fudzilla.com/home/item/21851-arkham-city-will-not-have-multiplayer

 

[Decarow]

I'm excited. I have it pre-ordered at GameStop! It actually makes you feel like you're watching a movie, and it's even better than the movies!

I was pissed when it was announced a year before the released (I was like "really?"), especially being the feature story on Game Informer a year in advance. But I was even more pissed when I found out they pushed back the release date to october!

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

So what do you all think of this up-coming title? Are you anticipating it as much as I am? Do you think it will live up to the hype?

The fact that 'Detective Mode' has been replaced with 'Augmented Reality Mode' is a bonus. I was one of the gamers who spent most of B:AA with Detective Mode going non-stop, so it'd be nice not to have to rely on that this time around.

It should be a lot more involved than just 'point in one direction and hold "scan' for 3 seconds' this time round too. One of the early examples given is Batman and Catwoman avoiding a sniper bullet, and Bats having to calculate the bullet trajectory to find the snipers position, which is on the other side of the city.

I also love the idea of interrogating thugs instead of simply beating them all shitless and just asking the civillians for clues.

Taking out more than one guard in one move should be pretty damn awesome as well. Apparently you'll be able to use explosive gel as a melee weapon during combos this time round also.

But most importantly, you'll get to grapple across an entire city and in mid air, fire another grapple. I loved swinging across New York in the Spiderman games, more than the actual storyline, so to be able to do it in Arkham City will be even better, imo.

Is there any characters you are hoping are going to be included?

Black Mask. You see a weird indoor fun house ride in the trailer with the word 'Sionis' written above it, and since BM's alter ego is Roman Sionis, this suggests that he'll be involved in some capacity, and so he should. The character, while seemingly unremarkable compared to say Killer Croc, Clayface or Mr. Freeze, is one.... sick... fuck. (Read 'War Games' and the immediate aftermath stories and you'll get what i mean) He'd be perfect for the uber-dark style they're going for in this sequel. (According to Kevin Conroy, it's 'Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker' dark.)

I'd also like to see them do a boss fight with Mad Hatter at some point, very much like Ivy's in B:AA, where you spend a lot of time beating up brain washed guards as well as avoiding the other obstacles.

 

[Linubidix..]

I was actually so happy when it was announced there'd be no multiplayer. There are few purely single player games left, too many games have cheap multiplayer tacked on. Arkham didn't need it, it's a cinematic gaming experience perfectly designed as a singe player experience.

Arkham Asylum is, without question, my favourite game I've ever played. I've actually finished it 100% seven times now. Three times on my xbox, once on PS3 and three separate time on my friends' accounts.

Right now, I'm most excited for the prequel comic.
Remember the art style in the bios in Arkham Asylum? Well, that's the art style for the comic:

 

[Smartie]

I couldn't be happier.I went on and finished the Arkham Asylum 4 times and what a pleasure it was.It was the only Superhero game I've played that is actually as cool as books or movies , or even more.

The batman himself is also known as "The Cool Superhero" so there's nothing surprising about the fact that the game is one of a kind.

The gadgets and the simple but effective combat style was the strong points of Asylum IMO , and I'm looking for return of all the gadgets and I even hope there be even more.

The fact that this time the environment is a city , not a building ,makes me think that maybe Batmobile will be available but I think it's a long shot.

The only thing that was a little bit annoying in Asylum was the detective mode and the fact that there was no battery or something like that to limit the time you could use it , But the rumor is that it's not gonna be a problem this time.

There is still no showing of Joker but I hope he returns , though I don't expect him to be a main character because his mouth was messed up in the last game and a non-talking Joker isn't interesting.

At last , I'm counting down the days and I'm sure for me and lots of people it's gonna be The Game of the year.

 

[Arkham Noir]

The fact that this time the environment is a city , not a building ,makes me think that maybe Batmobile will be available but I think it's a long shot.

There is still no showing of Joker but I hope he returns , though I don't expect him to be a main character because his mouth was messed up in the last game and a non-talking Joker isn't interesting.

I've read a report where they officially stated that there will be no Batmobile in Arkham City ( here's the link; http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2010-11-26-no-batmobile-in-arkham-city)It sucks as I was hoping for one too, but ....

you'll get to grapple across an entire city and in mid air, (and) fire another grapple

This will make up for it. There was an interview where one of the developers said that, by using the grapple and your cape, you'll be able to traverse the city just as easily and quickly as you could with a vehicle. I think one of the reasons they left it out is part of Batman's no kill policy. If you think about, Batman would never do anything to take another person's life, and if you are able to use The Batmobile than you know people will run down every thug they come across. I guess this is part of that.

Or they just didn't think of it lol. Who Knows. Either way it's going to be great.

And as for your Joker comment, well, there just so happens to be some brand new screen shots that were released a few days ago that might interest you...

Spoiler

 

[Phoenix]

There is still no showing of Joker but I hope he returns , though I don't expect him to be a main character because his mouth was messed up in the last game and a non-talking Joker isn't interesting.

Hang on, if you're hyped about this game but didn't know Joker was in, were you living under a rock? He was in the first trailer and it was confirmed that Mark Hamill will be doing his last ever outing as Joker in this game.

I honestly think this game will be fantastic, I loved the first one when I played it and given the updates to the Detective Mode, having all the gadgets available, plus having characters like Hugo Strange, and actually making it feel like a Batman game with interrogation and other elements, it could well be the best ever Batman game to exist. I am hyped for certain, much like most people are.

 

[Big Ol' Buckta AIDS]

I am beyond excited for this game. The last batman game was excellent (and easily the best batman game ever made) and i simply cannot wait for the sequel

 

[ROCKY VS CENA OMG]

I need to play the last ones but from what I played in the demo the game is excellent I might have to check this one out. I really liked the graphics and the design of the Joker from what I saw.

 

[Phoenix]

Surprised the gameplay trailer hasn't been discussed yet, it is for those who haven't seen it:

​

Much like all the trailers so far, this has been a great sight to see, from things such as the improved gliding move, triple combat takedown, double takedowns, this is really looking to be a classic once again. The thing I found interesting was when IGN did a rewind theatre and picked up on so many things that are overlooked by the normal person. Within the City you got the location of the Wayne Parent's death, a possibility of Black Mask being in this, not to mention the Flying Graysons poster with a cancelled sign on it, definitely going to be so much depth to this game for sure.

Next thing to note is the models of Two-Face, Strange, new-look Harley and Catwoman; all of them look great. Nice to see the original voice actor from TAS be brought back in for Two-Face and Harley's new look does look great, albeit alien from what we normally see.

Bring on the 21st October!

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

I saw it for the first time last night and i was astounded at how fluid the gliding mode is going to be. Watching Bats swoop in and out of the gunfire in mid air took my breath away and then seeing some of the double take downs was electrifying.

I also am glad to see there's more of the BTAS crew involved in this game specifically for Two-Face and Catwoman.

Still not liking the new Harley outfit. God knows why, but they even gave her a tattoo! I think it's just the fact that she doesn't wear a mask anymore. I never had any problem with Nurse Harley, despite how much of a radical change that outfit was.

There is a MASSIVE spoiler in that trailer though, for those of us who've read some of the intended plot lines.

Spoiler

Joker apparently contracts a fatal virus and is going to die amongst everything else going on with Arkham City and of course at the very end of that trailer we hear Bats say 'It was all a lie. There's nothing wrong with you.' followed by Joker emerging from the shadows of his hideout

 

[Arkham Noir]

I was feeling a little anxious about how the game play would look in motion after seeing many stills of it. That, and the fact that all the trailers thus far had been CGI shorts and not actual game-play. I breathed a sigh of relief (along with a huge grin and nearly pissing myself from excitment) when I watched this trailer. Seeing all the gliding mechanics they (the producers) have been gushing about in action was awesome. It looks very fluid and I can already predict that I will waste a ton of time just traversing the city for fun. The characters themselves are nice to see in action. With three main villains this time around, this game is going to be one for the ages.

Seeing the official release date (which will most likely be changed at least once) up is a good sign. Even if the delay comes, at least there is a concrete target to keep in mind as to when we will finally get our collective hands on it.

Now October just needs to hurry its ass up and get here.

 

[DarkestEarth]

I just can't wait for this game! I am also looking forward to finding all the little easter eggs that will be crammed into it.

Especially seeing as there were so many in the trailer!!

 

[Arkham Noir]

I'm bumping this seeing how there is only two weeks left until it finally gets released.

For those who haven't really been following, a lot has been revealed for Arkham City. Mainly, the villians. Rocksteady has repeatedly said that Batman has the greatest rogue's gallery and I agree with them. As such, I am very excited about the list of villians that have been confirmed for the game:

* Two-Face
* The Penguin
* Solomon Grundy
* The Riddler
* Mr. Freeze
* Catwoman (who is actually a pseudo villain as well as a playable character)
* The Joker
* Hugo Strange
* Deadshot
* Talia Al Ghul
* Harley Quinn
* Calender Man
* Victor Zsasz

Robin has also been confirmed as a playable character for challenge maps with his own unique moves and gadgets and there is a slew of alternate skins that will be released as pre-order bonuses and later DLC.

There might some that I missed but I believe that is everyone (revealed so far anyways). with many more possibly still within the game. What is even better is that I read an interview with one of the devs where they said that everything that has been revealed is all within the first two hours of the game. Considering the game is said to be around twenty hours long (forty doing all the side missions and Riddler trophies) there is a lot of content here.

So now that we are in the final stretch, who is excited about this game? Do you think it could be a strong contender for game of the year? And is anyone else getting the collector's edition (seen below, for North America anyways)?

Spoiler

 

[¡Roján!]

Actually, yesterday I pre-ordered it and to be honest, I can't wait.

I never normally buy single-player games, just out of the simple fact that I'll beat it once and forget about it after a new game comes out. But, Arkham City is another story, and the fact that I re-played Arkham Asylum 4 times warrants a full purchase but, my oh my have they given me even more! I love all the new villains, I think they were needed as the Joker isn't the best villain in the Batman Series, in my opinion. Also, I think this will just wet everyone's appetites for TDKR in summer 2012, a genius idea from Warner Brothers.

With regards to the gameplay, I hope it's longer than Arkham Asylum. Arkham Asylum was long but it finished waaaay to quickly, if you know what I mean. Also, the fact that it's almost free-roam is great, more places to explore will only enhance the experience. The new detective system looks great and I'm glad to see that the nitty-gritty combat system is still in place, the component which actually made me fall in love with the first game.

As for Game of the Year? Why not? We really will have to wait and see, especially with so many blockbuster games coming out this holiday season. Us gamers really are spoilt for choice!

 

[King Patrick Star]

Anyone still playing this game?? I’m only missing 2 achievements:

Perfect Freeflow 2.0. I just can’t seem to get this.

Perfect Knight – Day 2. I’m only missing the last 4 AR Training Missions in Story Plus and I only have one medal for each character in the Joker’s Carnival.

Everything else is done, including the Harlequin DLC. I’m 99% complete. Any tips on the last few things I’m missing??

 

[King Patrick Star]

I have completed the game and got all the achievements and it says 100%, although I still didn’t get the 3 medals for the Joker’s Carnival for all 4 characters. Now I’m just playing to better my time in the Predator maps. As of right now, I only have 3 Catwoman maps that are over 3 minutes and 30 seconds, but under 4 minutes. The rest of them (including all of Batman’s, Robin’s, and Nightwing’s maps) are all under 3 minutes and 30 seconds.