Batman: Arkham Asylum

 PlayStation 3
User Score
8.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 1850 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 1,659 out of 1850
  2. Mixed: 150 out of 1850
  3. Negative: 41 out of 1850
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  1. rolyatidok
    Oct 17, 2013
    10
    This game is a must play and a must own. Growing up with Batman: TAS, and Justice League, this is my Batman. The story is engaging and respectful to the mythos. The gameplay is extraordinary The combat is tight, and and rewarding. The progression of story and powerups is easily akin to a Zelda game. This game is not just a great superhero game, or Batman game, but one of the greatestThis game is a must play and a must own. Growing up with Batman: TAS, and Justice League, this is my Batman. The story is engaging and respectful to the mythos. The gameplay is extraordinary The combat is tight, and and rewarding. The progression of story and powerups is easily akin to a Zelda game. This game is not just a great superhero game, or Batman game, but one of the greatest games ever made overall. Story, combat, puzzles, extras... that's all i got.… Expand
  2. DSteele
    Nov 3, 2013
    9
    I HAVE TO PUT THIS FIRST SO IT CAN BE SEEN, IF YOU WANT TO PLAY AS THE JOKER IN THE CHALLENGE MAPS BUY THE GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION, YOU CAN NO LONGER PLAY AS HIM ON THE REGULAR VERSION BELIEVE ME I'VE TRIED
    Now on to the review.
    This is a brilliant game. Definitely one of the best games to kick off a series. The atmosphere is set from the first cutscene, and doesn't stray for a second    I HAVE TO PUT THIS FIRST SO IT CAN BE SEEN, IF YOU WANT TO PLAY AS THE JOKER IN THE CHALLENGE MAPS BUY THE GAME OF THE YEAR EDITION, YOU CAN NO LONGER PLAY AS HIM ON THE REGULAR VERSION BELIEVE ME I'VE TRIED
    Now on to the review.
    This is a brilliant game. Definitely one of the best games to kick off a series. The atmosphere is set from the first cutscene, and doesn't stray for a second ingame. This is a brilliant game for fans and non fans of Batman. It follows the comics and animated series, not the Batman films, so don't expect to hear Christian Bale's growl anywhere. The voice acting is perfect, especially from beloved animated series stars Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker. The freeflow combat system is fantastic, and although you are pressing square to attack and triangle to counter, the beauty of the simple controls is that you get to watch the amazing moves batman uses on his enemies. This goes for the Joker's combat too, his moves are funny as well as epic to watch. The story is epic, definitely worthy of a film, book, or graphic novel. The only issues one may have with the game are the boss battles can be repetetive, but I don't really see that as a problem, and the amount of mashing the x button you have to do (there's a lot of air vents and walls to pull down, which requires a lot of mashing) but I don't really see this as a problem.
    This game is brilliant, definitely worthy of it's Game of the Year status, and one of my favourite games.    … Expand
  3. Krizuwe
    Nov 19, 2013
    8
    Un juegazo,debes tenerlo si o si,sin duda cuando lo jugue me engancho desde el primer minuto,si este es asi ni me imagino el segundo que espero con ansias y con desespero :P tiene graficos buenisimos,jugabilidad expectacular,sonido impresionante y una inovacion sin precedentes,un juego que es una compra obligada tanto si eres fan de Batman como si no.Enserio te lo recomiendo si lees esto jejeje
  4. cbeers2513
    Nov 28, 2013
    9
    There isn't much to say about the Arkham games that hasn't already been said. They redefine the standards for super hero games and games in general by staying loyal to its source material while putting the player in the shoes of the Dark Knight. They feature top-notch voice acting by Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, the definitive Batman-Joker duo. They created one of the best fighting systemThere isn't much to say about the Arkham games that hasn't already been said. They redefine the standards for super hero games and games in general by staying loyal to its source material while putting the player in the shoes of the Dark Knight. They feature top-notch voice acting by Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, the definitive Batman-Joker duo. They created one of the best fighting system in gaming, making hordes of bad guys feel more than just typical button-mashing, but an orchestra of perfectly timed counters and takedowns. With all the immense hype surrounding the game, it seems impossible that Arkham Asylum can reach the lofty goals the gaming community set for it.
    I'm happy to say, however, that this is not only the Batman game The Dark Knight deserves, but it's also the one he needs.
    The story is riveting from start to finish. The Caped Crusader has just stopped the Joker from committing a routine bank robbery, claiming it was almost as if the Clown Prince of Crime wanted to be caught. Batman takes him back to the asylum where he belongs, only to find that this was the Joker's true intentions all along. With the help of several other of Arkham's most dangerous inmates, he takes over the asylum and traps Batman and the rest of the guards inside. In order to prevent them from wrecking havoc on Gotham City through a complex plan that reveals itself the deeper you go into the story, Batman must take down the Joker and his allies before they escape the island. From the first few minutes, in which the game throws you straight into the action, to each emotionally charged boss takedown, the story and atmosphere hit bullseyes. In addition, despite a few botched lines, the dialogue and voice acting also are flawless.
    The best part of the game is the action, which makes nearly all of the other aspects of the game feel practically insignificant. Beating up hordes of bad guys never felt better. You create a symphony of punches, kicks, and blocks that makes you feel invincible. However, powerful Titan-fueled giants and armored thugs mix up the gameplay and provide challenge. Stealth mode also shines. In order to take out a room of armed henchmen, you need to use your wits more than your fists. Batman will die if he takes too many bullets, so each room must be prepared for carefully and the environment needs to be manipulated to your advantage to survive the night. For example, two guards might be faced back to back to cover blind spots, so blowing up a wall nearby might be necessary to split them apart and take them down individually. The AI feels incredibly real. I was detected when I was expected to be and when I felt silent and undetected nothing stopped me from delivering a neck-paralyzing punch to a thug. As I was observing the scene from the darkness above on a gargoyle, I realized that I didn't just feel like the Dark Knight. I WAS the Dark Knight. Arkham Asylum is one of the most immersive games ever created, making the player really feel like a hardened vigilante in a prison full of psychopaths. Every moment is fully engrossing and surprising; one shocking me so much I thought my PS3 had crashed and was broken forever. No other game in recent memory provides so many memorable moments that tie in so well with the DC Universe.
    Despite all this praise, there are downsides. Detective Mode is important to detect bad guys and pathways thought the asylum, analogous to X-ray vision. However, you can't appreciate the scenery and graphics when the game gives you no incentive to turn off this vision since there may be bad guys right around the corner. In addition, the boss battles are downright miserable. Every one feels forced and repetitive, especially the "fight" with Killer Croc, which is by far the worst moment in the game. Even the Joker's fight is wrong, coming as a complete embarrassment to his character. For a villain who relies so much on evil planning and deliciously complex intelligence hidden beneath an apparent madness, his boss battle is just like fighting one of the mindless Titan-infused minions throughout the game, which comes off as a major letdown.
    Despite all this, Arkham Asylum is a fantastic superhero game and game in general. While the boss battles disappoint and fighting feels rigid in certain areas, everything else in the game is pure, stylized perfection. There are Easter eggs and references for Batman addicts and enough engaging gameplay and storytelling to invite newcomers into the Gotham universe. But the game's crowing achievement, the one aspect that puts all others to shame, is the way it makes you feel like you are behind the cape and cowl, saving the world from the Joker one punch at a time.
    Welcome to the madhouse.    … Expand
  5. LostNexusGamer
    Jan 1, 2014
    9
    The game is flawed and many minor details lack this game behind from greatness. But for the most part, this was a well made game and offers a different environment to the action-adventure genera. The character cast is superb and the creativity of the game, which defines the characters and game play, is well created.
  6. TheRebel
    Jul 21, 2014
    10
    Gameplay:
    Batman's gadgets are very fun to use during combat. You can knock enemies out, kill them, or use them to form even longer combos. They do have other uses outside of combat, such as pulling out vent covers, destroying weak walls, etc. However, the greatest component of gameplay is the Freeflow Combat! It's flows smoothly, immersing the player into the game. The hand-to-hand    Gameplay:
    Batman's gadgets are very fun to use during combat. You can knock enemies out, kill them, or use them to form even longer combos. They do have other uses outside of combat, such as pulling out vent covers, destroying weak walls, etc. However, the greatest component of gameplay is the Freeflow Combat! It's flows smoothly, immersing the player into the game. The hand-to-hand combat in this game is unrivaled

    Story:
    The story begins with Batman apprehending the Joker. Once inside Arkham Asylum, Joker escapes and begins to wreak havoc by releasing the asylum's inhabitants, as well as some of Batman's most dangerous enemies. Joker's apprehension was apart of his "master" plan to take over Gotham. Joker placed bombs around the outskirts of Arkham Asylum and threatens to detonate them if any outside help (e.g police) attempts to intervene. Rocksteady Studios did a fantastic job on making it seem like Batman is truly "trapped" on the island.

    Graphics/Appearance:
    Batman looks good, and I enjoyed the detailed changes with his batsuit throughout the game. The villains look great, the environments are detailed, and Detective Mode has a very nice monochromatic color scheme.

    Pros:
    -Smooth Gameplay
    -Freeflow Combat System
    -Very Strong Story
    -Great Graphics

    Verdict:
    I definitely recommend this game! If you're a Batman fan, you will love this game. Even if you aren't a Batman fan, you would do yourself a disservice by not picking this game up. This is not only an amazing overall game, but the greatest superhero game ever made!    … Expand
  7. Darth24
    Nov 5, 2015
    8
    This game is a true Batman simulator, that really makes you feel like Batman, and allows you to face off against all of the classic Batman villains, like killer croc, poison ivy, scarecrow etc. However Batman's greatest villain is represented perfectly in this game, The Joker is voice acted to perfection by Mark Hamill, and really encapsulates the Joker on every single level. These aspectsThis game is a true Batman simulator, that really makes you feel like Batman, and allows you to face off against all of the classic Batman villains, like killer croc, poison ivy, scarecrow etc. However Batman's greatest villain is represented perfectly in this game, The Joker is voice acted to perfection by Mark Hamill, and really encapsulates the Joker on every single level. These aspects allow for a great dynamic with Batman and The Joker, that makes this game THE Batman game. The only problem that is found in this game is the disappointing final boss battle, but that still doesn't stop this game from being great!… Expand
  8. DesignByAdrian
    Feb 21, 2015
    9
    I didn't know I loved Batman so much until I played this game (and then watched the new movies). Awesome stealth-mechanics, awesome fight-mechanics, awesome environments and atmosphere, awesome voice acting, and varied enemies and bosses! The sequel, Arkham City has you swooping between roof tops of a part of Arkham City, but I prefer the closeness of the Asylum!
  9. diogomendes
    Jun 30, 2014
    8
    "Batman: Arkham Asylum" is an excellent start for the series Arkham. The voices, the combat system, the graphics, the story are amazingly well done. One of the best games of year 2009.
  10. EzioA88
    Jul 20, 2014
    10
    9.5 out of 10 (rounded up to 10).

    Batman has never had a great videogame career. His original adventures weren't too bad, but they have slowly decreased in quality, descending to almost Superman 64 levels of badness. That all changes with Asylum. From the gripping story, to the extremely Batman-like gameplay, to the various Easter Eggs and references, this screams fan service and good    9.5 out of 10 (rounded up to 10).

    Batman has never had a great videogame career. His original adventures weren't too bad, but they have slowly decreased in quality, descending to almost Superman 64 levels of badness. That all changes with Asylum. From the gripping story, to the extremely Batman-like gameplay, to the various Easter Eggs and references, this screams fan service and good gaming- a rare occurrence.

    The plot is set along its own line of continuity, but it feels like a rich part of Batman history that didn't make it into the comics. Yes, Joker is the main villain. Yes, Harley Quinn is helping him out. Yes, he has assembled an army of famous foes to wreak havoc on Gotham. But here's the catch- Batman is on an island away from Gotham and he never gets off of it. Rarely do we get to explore Arkham Asylum in the comics, but that is the main destination of this adventure. Joker also has a brand new plan that constantly gets crazier and crazier across the course of the night. It starts off with Batman taking his foe back to madhouse after a failed attack on the mayor. Sensing that things have been too easy, the Bat takes Joker into the institution personally. Soon, the crazed clown escapes and begins to tear his way across the island. With the help of his girlfriend in crime, he sets free the inmates and begins his plan of evil domination. The twists are unexpected, the villain reveals are perfect and the environment is so perfectly realised that you just want to see every inch of it.

    The asylum is beautiful and deadly at the same time. Every room has a story, with blood stains on walls, paperwork laying across the ground and artifacts from Batman lore often on display. The place isn't huge and it really isn't open world- it's more of open linearity. You can explore the place as much as you want at your own leisure, but he buildings aren't large and you can rarely reach the high areas. There are loading times when you enter the structures and the maps are split up. However, the detail more than makes up for the lack of a large open Gotham and I still enjoyed running around the island and taking out foes.

    The riddles persuade you to do this. There are 200 or so given out by Edward Nigma and they take the role of end game content. They range from environmental puzzles to collectibles and each one adds a layer to the game. They can be easy to find at first, but without a map you'll often be scratching your noggin. They provide challenge and love for the source material and they also give you bonuses, such as bios, character models and challenges.

    The gameplay is just as strong as the rest of the game and makes you feel like the Batman- this may sound stupid, but you never actually feel like the hero in most comic book games. The movement is perfect. Batman strides and runs like the badass he is and the gliding is easy and fluid. The grapnel gun is one of the greatest parts of the system, as it can lead to your disappearance in stealth gameplay or be used to pull down objects and walls. The combat is awesome, with the Freeflow mechanics easy to use. The attacking, stunning and countering is great and the upgrades can lead to new moves and more health. The takedowns are brutal and the animation work is fantastic. Stealth is one of the best parts, as you truly feel awesome stalking bad guys and knocking them out. The gadgets are key to the success of these components. Each one has a perfect use, from setting up takedowns with the explosive gel to knocking down enemies with the batarangs. There's a progressive system of unlocks and the earning of XP is well managed. The upgrades are essential and well thought out.

    The game doesn't have multiplayer, but you can compare scores on the challenge mode. There are a fair amount of them and they can be either combat or Predator, with normal and extreme classifications. They are addictive and contribute to your mastery over the mechanics. The lack of multiplayer is a good design decision, as Batman should fly solo on this journey.

    As is expected, the sound design is brilliant. Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill deliver rousing performances and the score is exhilarating. The visuals are beautiful, with highly detailed character models and environments. One thing not well designed are the boss battles. The Scarecrow fights are good, but the final Joker one is a severe letdown.

    Arkham Asylum isn't perfect, but it is still an amazing game and one of the best superhero experiences out there. Even if you aren't a fan of the Batman, you'll still enjoy this for hours upon hours!    … Expand
  11. Darker5
    Jul 3, 2014
    9
    This is a great game. From the voice work to the attention to detail, to the gameplay and story, Arkham Asylum feels as if you are Batman dealing with the Joker. A standout in particular is the scene where you first meet the Scarecrow, which manages to be both exciting and chilling. Overall, I'd highly recommend this to any gamer.
  12. Kai82
    Oct 4, 2020
    10
    An exceptionally good game. If you even have a bit of gaming knowledge you should know that licensed titles are nearly always garbage. With this many expected this game to fail. Surprisingly this was the best Batman game in at least a long time and many said you feel like you become Batman. It has an immersive story. It begins with Batman delivering the Joker to Arkham Asylum. Because theAn exceptionally good game. If you even have a bit of gaming knowledge you should know that licensed titles are nearly always garbage. With this many expected this game to fail. Surprisingly this was the best Batman game in at least a long time and many said you feel like you become Batman. It has an immersive story. It begins with Batman delivering the Joker to Arkham Asylum. Because the Joker did not even put up a fight for his standards he suspected that he has something up his sleeve. This will be a long an intense night for Batman. They nailed the atmosphere with the introduction by going into the Asylum alone. The story has many twists and intense moments. It is an intense roller-coaster ride full of emotions. You have a lot of Batmans rouges and countless normal but also dangerous criminals. The gameplay is exceptional. You have a lot of Batmans toys and will acquire new ones. The Batarangs, explosive gel and the grappling hook are powerful tools. You can use stealth and the environment to fullest capacity. It is so enjoyable to stealthy defeat one enemy after the other in a room without them noticing. Even more using gargoyles / spouters near the ceiling or hanging the enemies upside done. The fighting mechanics are also robust and you feel the impact. As you progress you get experience points and can unlock new abilities and upgrades. There are also combinations you can use in combat like moves and tools. There is also the useful detective mode. In this you use the scanning devises to solve riddles. It is also pretty useful outside of this. Then there are the great boss battles I wont spoil. Also the graphics and soundtrack are well done and help to deliver the dark atmosphere. There are a lot of challenges done by the Riddler. He places trophies in and around the Asylum for you to discover. Some are really hard to crack. While this is an awesome game it has one flaw. The climax or final battle while still good is underwhelming. It is a complaint by many. However the game itself is excellent and I will rate it with a 10/10 even with the underwhelming climax and will also say Arkham City is even better. Overall a positive surprise and one of a few licensed game that reach this level of success and acclaim.… Expand
  13. bigboss1964
    Aug 14, 2014
    9
    Batman:Arkham Asylum
    Game-play:The game play is very good you can use lot of batman gadgets that makes you feel like you are the dark knight and the small open world is well made and nice to explore.
    Story:The story is very good i I really enjoy it , and it have a lot of enemies that we love from batman comics. Graphics:Impressive graphics that really suits batman. Notes:This game is    Batman:Arkham Asylum
    Game-play:The game play is very good you can use lot of batman gadgets that makes you feel like you are the dark knight and the small open world is well made and nice to explore.
    Story:The story is very good i I really enjoy it , and it have a lot of enemies that we love from batman comics.
    Graphics:Impressive graphics that really suits batman.
    Notes:This game is very easy and i would like more gadgets but is a solid experience and every gamer should try it.    … Expand
  14. MoozipanCheese
    Sep 27, 2014
    10
    Batman: Arkham Asylum is, to its strength, not an origin story, but it embraces all players regardless of their knowledge of Batman's long history; developer Rocksteady have crafted their own story and everyone is welcome. Respectful of its source material, Batman's adventure is a complete joy to experience. Players will explore every inch of Arkham Asylum if they're interested inBatman: Arkham Asylum is, to its strength, not an origin story, but it embraces all players regardless of their knowledge of Batman's long history; developer Rocksteady have crafted their own story and everyone is welcome. Respectful of its source material, Batman's adventure is a complete joy to experience. Players will explore every inch of Arkham Asylum if they're interested in completing the game fully, meeting a handful of colourful (and well-voiced) characters along the way as you attempt to stop the Joker and the rest of the inmates from taking over the asylum. Thankfully, due to unlockable bios and interview tapes, you'll never be wondering over the importance or backstory of each character.

    The gameplay has a "Metroidvania" feel to it, in that as you progress through the story you'll unlock gadgets that will allow you to return and advance through previously inaccessible areas. Exploring the island comprises the bulk of the game, and when you're not investigating the asylum, you'll be engrossed in the game's combat or stealth.

    Fighting relies on knowing how to deal with each type of enemy using the face buttons. Once you understand the rhythmic-based combat, you'll be building up whopping combos to take down your enemies (if you're any good), and it's oh-so-satisfying. At times, the camera can work against you when fighting in enclosed spaces, and the bosses are repetitive (but there aren't many), but the combat in this game is spectacular once you get into it. Moreover, playing on Hard difficulty removes the counter prompts above enemies' heads, which has a much larger effect on the game than you'd think. Stealth is what you'll often resort to in select rooms - usually when the enemy are carrying firearms. It's a little slow-paced if you're not familiar with the way the AI works, the room layouts, and/or the gadgets, but the change in pace is appreciated and provides a different way to play the game (sneaking around as Batman is always fun). Due to its superb pacing, it's important to note that the game never overwhelms you with all it has to offer, and be sure that the game does have a lot to offer during the campaign.

    Unfortunately, while you can continue to explore the asylum after completing the game, challenge maps are the only extras the game has to offer outside of the campaign. They're fine to play through once, but you'll tire of the Joker's constant taunts and you'll likely need to look at YouTube or a walkthrough for some of the more trickier challenges. Outside of online leaderboards and trophies, there's little point to them. Combined with the fact that the game's campaign is very short, you might be left wishing for more even after 100%ing the game.

    Ultimately, Batman: Arkham Asylum is a genuinely incredible game which I probably haven't done justice to in this quick little review. Aside from its comic book origins, its sharp writing and game design, its high-quality voice acting, its memorable set pieces like the three Scarecrow encounters, and more all make for a fantastic game in its own right - and the fact that it already includes a pre-established figure like Batman makes it easier to get into (again, even if you are generally unfamiliar with the character). Simply put, overcoming the Joker and the other dangerous inhabitants of Arkham Asylum is an adventure you should definitely consider experiencing.    … Expand
  15. LatinCritic13
    Jul 14, 2020
    9
    Batman Arkham Asylum is one of the best DC beat-em-up video games I have ever played. And Rocksteady has finally managed to do justice on adapting the impossible when properly bringing these iconic DC characters to life and the result of it is absolutely amazing. No wonder why they started the Batman Arkham franhise.
  16. RossMK
    Dec 30, 2014
    9
    This game is not as good as the sequel but better then origins the game is very nostalgic and it is almost up there with the animated series plus the voice acting of Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill is simply classic!
  17. emlugo123
    Feb 23, 2015
    8
    Arkham Asylum was the first Batman game I ever played and I must say, its probably one of the best I have every played. Combat is pretty addicting and there are a lot of unlockables to collect making the longetivity of this game fairly long.
  18. tsakiym
    May 21, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I do not have to say anything. But i need to write one hundred and fifty characters. i think my score can describe it.................................… Expand
  19. homer4president
    Apr 4, 2016
    9
    Arkham Asylum is a great game, it combines tons of different gameplay elements fairly well, has a great story, plenty of extras, good production values, and a surprisingly high replay value.
  20. DailySalesman
    Mar 22, 2015
    9
    After just coming from Arkham Asylum's successor Arkham Origins, I suspected it to be a bit of a step back for the series. Thankfully, I was proven wrong. The Arkham series continues strongly and it has now become one of my favorite game series of all time! The style of the game definitely reminded me of The Legend of Zelda (which is a good thing). The characters, stealth, and combat areAfter just coming from Arkham Asylum's successor Arkham Origins, I suspected it to be a bit of a step back for the series. Thankfully, I was proven wrong. The Arkham series continues strongly and it has now become one of my favorite game series of all time! The style of the game definitely reminded me of The Legend of Zelda (which is a good thing). The characters, stealth, and combat are all excellent just like they were in Origins. It's another excellent title.… Expand
  21. Termin8ter
    Jun 17, 2016
    9
    Batman Arkham Asylum is a superb game that proves that good Batman games can exist. Firstly, the gameplay and free flow combat is excellently original and molded game mechanics for years to come. Second, the voice acting is on point. Mark Hamill killed it as Joker, and Kevin Conroy nailed it as the Dark Knight. The graphics are solid too. My only gripe is that the main story could've beenBatman Arkham Asylum is a superb game that proves that good Batman games can exist. Firstly, the gameplay and free flow combat is excellently original and molded game mechanics for years to come. Second, the voice acting is on point. Mark Hamill killed it as Joker, and Kevin Conroy nailed it as the Dark Knight. The graphics are solid too. My only gripe is that the main story could've been a bit more interesting, and the final boss is terrible. I have to talk a out the exclusive content too. If you decided to pick up Arkham Asylum on PS3, then you would've been able to play the Joker challenge maps. These are really fun, and it's an absolute blast to play as the Jester of Genocide. But I don't really think it was necessary to make it a PS3 exclusive. Anyway, pick this bad boy up if you get the chance. Or, wait for the remastered version coming out bundled with a remastered Arkham City.… Expand
  22. EHansen14
    Jun 1, 2015
    9
    Batman fans rejoice! Finally what we've always wanted from a super hero game. In this review for Batman: Arkham Asylum, I will give my opinions and ratings on the following: Gameplay, Story, Sound, Graphics, and Last Impressions. This will be followed by my overall score.

    Gameplay: 9.5/10 - The introduction to the now popular (and possibly over used) freeflow combat system. The first    Batman fans rejoice! Finally what we've always wanted from a super hero game. In this review for Batman: Arkham Asylum, I will give my opinions and ratings on the following: Gameplay, Story, Sound, Graphics, and Last Impressions. This will be followed by my overall score.

    Gameplay: 9.5/10
    - The introduction to the now popular (and possibly over used) freeflow combat system. The first time I got my hands on Batman Arkham Asylum and found myself surrounded by foes, I couldn't help but drop my jaw at how choreographed and fluid the combat in this game looks. There's a crunch to every punch, kick, and counter and it all just feels so good. The predator/stealth sequences deliver as well. There are many different options on how to take out your enemies, but after the first few predator encounters you may feel like the options are limited at times.

    Story: 9/10
    - Arkham Asylum delivers a new story for the Bat. Lead by Batman, Oracle (Barbara Gordon), and of course the Joker, the story had me wanting more until the very end. The delivery is excellent and cutscenes will be engaging for any Batman fan. The only thing keeping 'Story' from receiving a 10/10 in my review is the fact that it is quite short (about 10-15 hours). There is some more to do afterwards though (collectables and challenge maps).

    Sound: 9/10
    - Voice acting is done wonderfully by all expected voice actors and as I mentioned before, the combat has great sound effects.

    Graphics: 8.5/10
    - The whole Asylum has an awesome look to it. Scenery is excellent and well designed, characters all look how you'd expect them to look. Common NPC's you talk to throughout your journey on the other hand... don't look so good. Whenever the Bat is in an in game conversation is the only time this game doesn't look so good. Cutscenes and gameplay during combat and exploring both look excellent and run smoothly.

    Last Impressions
    - Arkham Asylum is an excellent game for any Batman fan. It is one of the very best super hero games I have ever played and because of the excellent story, feels timeless to me. I finished the game 3 different times and could see myself playing it again sometime down the road. It is a must play for any Batman fans.

    Final Score: 9/10    … Expand
  23. kyle20ellis
    Mar 10, 2022
    10
    'Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)' is one of the most influential video-games of all time, even if its own inspirations are equally evident. It's arguably the first great superhero game, one that treats its source material totally seriously and delivers a rock-solid story alongside its fun gameplay. The mechanics of the title are practically synonymous with the third-person action genre now,'Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)' is one of the most influential video-games of all time, even if its own inspirations are equally evident. It's arguably the first great superhero game, one that treats its source material totally seriously and delivers a rock-solid story alongside its fun gameplay. The mechanics of the title are practically synonymous with the third-person action genre now, yet they really are revolutionary. The game's familiar mix of combat, puzzles, exploration and stealth is handled remarkably well, each element feeling cohesive and hand-crafted for the caped crusader himself. The rhythm-based combat is snappy, satisfying and suitably violent. It's remarkably deep, with a number of unlockable skills and advanced moves, and the enemy design is varied enough to keep things interesting, especially when several types are tossed at you together and you have to strategically work your way across the battlefield. The combo system isn't just for show or, even, style; it distinctly changes how you play because several abilities are contingent on it, ensuring you feel rewarded when you achieve a high level of play. Even though he can take on tens of foes at once, Batman isn't a tank. When bullets come his way, he has to hide. This is where the game's predator segments come into the fray. These sequences have you sneaking around the asylum and taking out guards as you see fit, every gadget in your arsenal uniquely equipped to deal with a given scenario. If you're spotted, you'll have to retreat to a vantage point with your grappling hook; you can't withstand much damage. The AI is incredibly effective at conveying the fear you expect from someone stalked by the Dark Knight, with enemies erratically slipping from calm to agitated depending on what they see. These segments are highly engaging and provide a great counterbalance to the thing's otherwise more overt combat. Other than taking out bad guys, you're also tasked with doing some detective work. With your X-ray 'detective vision', you can track subjects and even recreate what may have happened based on evidence you find. For the most part, this stuff is fairly simple but it's really satisfying. It tends to progress the story in a very natural way and makes you feel like an active participant in the narrative. That narrative is fantastic, too. It makes excellent use of its source material, bringing its dingy version of Arkham Asylum to life with striking detail. It also offers up a sizeable, fan-pleasing rogue's gallery of villains to face-off against. From the intimidating Bane to the psychotic Harley Quinn, each baddie is as distinct and compelling as the last. The main attraction is, of course, the Joker. Here, he is simply phenomenal, bolstered by a brilliant performance from Mark Hamill. He walks the line between cruel and crazy, as jovial as he is murderous, and it's great to see. He's a suitable adversary for the imposing and stoic Batman, voiced just as well by Kevin Conroy. Everything just comes together to create a completely cohesive world filled with colourful characters and gripping gameplay. It's great. Plus, there's a whole set of side content which sees you solving the Riddler's puzzles. These mostly optional quandaries consist of either a physical test - in which you must use your gadgets to obtain a small trophy - or a mental one - which have you photograph parts of the asylum that act as answers to more traditional, typically lore-based riddles. The side stuff also includes a set of challenges based around the combat and predator encounters found in-game, which are instantly enjoyable and infinitely replayable. Chasing the high-score on these might steal more of your time than you expect, rounding out the overall package and marking it as one that's a must-play for... well, anyone, really. It's absolutely fantastic and is, still to this day, one of the best games of its generation. 10/10… Expand
  24. njja02
    May 15, 2018
    9
    A fantastic start to a pretty great trilogy, although there were some story issues.
  25. geo333
    Sep 16, 2022
    7
    This is the second game I played from the Arkham Series and it's a solid batman game that would preview the later games. It's fun and enjoyable to play; so for any Batman fan like myself growing up, it's a solid fun game.
  26. AMMANN7
    Sep 27, 2015
    9
    9/10

    Batman Arkham Asylum is an amazing innovative game but some of its flaws are too considerable to forget

    + Great story
    + Fighting Mechanics
    + Riddler Trophies
    + Boss Fights
    + Progression tree

    - Limited to Arkham Asylum
    - Some boring parts of an amazing story
  27. Cmmcfreire
    May 12, 2020
    8
    Story - 8/10
    Gameplay - 8/10
    Graphics - 9/10
    Soundtrack - 9/10
    Levels - 8/10
    Replay value - 8/10
  28. marcelgermann
    Nov 9, 2015
    9
    Batman Arkham Asylum
    besitzt tolle Charaktere, der Joker ist der Wahnsinn in Person, Madison Ivy, Bane, Scarecrow, der Pinguin. Es gibt spannende Rätsel, die man mit den Batman-Gadgets lösen kann. Das Kampfsystem von Remedy ist revolutionär, es ist schnell, flüssig und wird mittlerweile von vielen Spielen übernommen. Oft befindet man sich in einem Raum mit Jokers Anhängern und kann sie    Batman Arkham Asylum
    besitzt tolle Charaktere, der Joker ist der Wahnsinn in Person, Madison Ivy, Bane, Scarecrow, der Pinguin. Es gibt spannende Rätsel, die man mit den Batman-Gadgets lösen kann. Das Kampfsystem von Remedy ist revolutionär, es ist schnell, flüssig und wird mittlerweile von vielen Spielen übernommen. Oft befindet man sich in einem Raum mit Jokers Anhängern und kann sie leise ausschalten, indem man auf Stützen sitzt,sich runterhängen kann oder durch Luftschächte klettern kann. Mit dem Batcape kann man direkt auf Feinde zufliegen oder sie mit der Batclaw ablenken. Je mehr Feinde bewusstlos sind desto nervöser werden die Gegner und schießen manchmal einfach in die Luft, die Ki ist sehr gut. Das Leveldesign ist klasse, abhängig vom Gegner verändert sich der Kampf total, die Level sind unterschiedlich und innovativ gestalt, wie die Scarecrow-Passage, wo er Batman vergiftet, der sich in einer Traumsequenz vor den Blicken eines Riesenscarecrows verstecken muss. Es ist im Gameplay und im Design sehr viel Abwechslung gegeben, genau wie die Bösewichte und deren fiesen Plänen    … Expand
  29. Cosmozerk
    Jun 19, 2016
    9
    Back in my Arkham Knight review i mentioned that if the rest of the Arkham games were just as good, if no better than that game, then i would be in for a treat...probably the most correct statement i made so far.

    STORY: After capturing the Joker with no effort, Batman goes to Arkham Asylum in where they will incarcerate Joker. However Batman gets a bad feeling about this and decides to    Back in my Arkham Knight review i mentioned that if the rest of the Arkham games were just as good, if no better than that game, then i would be in for a treat...probably the most correct statement i made so far.

    STORY: After capturing the Joker with no effort, Batman goes to Arkham Asylum in where they will incarcerate Joker. However Batman gets a bad feeling about this and decides to follow the Joker, and just like he thought, the Joker escapes rather easily and with the help of Harley Quinn and some other villains, he quickly transforms Arkham Asylum into his own playground and Batman sees himself in the middle of it. So it's up to the Dark Knight to explore the Asylum, beat the ever living **** out of everything and stop the Joker from provoking chaos.

    PRESENTATION: For a 2009 PS3 and Xbox 360 game Arkham Asylum still holds up extremely well even by today's standards. The framerate doesn't drop all that much, the environments have tons of details, the voice acting is performed by the actors you know and love, the models are well constructed, the animations are spot on (except for the dialog segments), it's just overall a nice game to look at. Of course there's some popping, dated textures and models and every once in a while the game loads in the middle of the adventure, but that's it.

    GAMEPLAY: Batman Arkham Asylum is a pretty unique game if i can say so myself.

    The game has different things going for it and i feel like the combat system is the biggest one. By mashing the attack button Batman will do attacks up the wazoo that will easily combo enemies. While the combat system is very fun and satisfying, is not until the last hours of the game where you really need some strategy, since most enemies can't do **** against you, plus you have counter-attack button that will also put enemies on the ground, but you have to react fast enough. When an enemy is on the ground you can finish them off, but leaves you vulnerable, so check that there's no one around you before doing it. The game however does throw enough enemy and attack variety to not make the combat repetitive, but it does become a little tiny bit shallow.

    When you finish fights you'll gain experience points that you can use to upgrade Batman in 20 times, whether it's giving him a new gadget, improving combat or toughness, the experience points help to make the game a little more addictive than it's already is.

    Along the way Batman will get new toys to play around with. You either get them by upgrading Batman (like i said before) or by just going through the game normally. This tools range from variations of the batarangs, to explosive gel, to a hacking device, ect. This gadgets are used for either combat or solving puzzles and situations that the game presents you and they're really fun to use. I specially love to use the explosive gel to set up traps, man does that feel good.

    But of course Batman is also the greatest detective and for that we get Detective Mode. It's as simple as it sounds, Batman will start seeing things in a blue fashion, it can detect enemies, DNA trails, breath, fingerprints, clues, etc. Detective Mode is great, but perhaps it's a little too great, since there's no punish for using it, you can approach every challenge very prepared, effectively making the game pretty easy. Because of that you'll be in Detective mode throughout 80% of the adventure at the cost of not seeing the game's graphics.

    In terms of what you can do in the Asylum, there's some collectables and riddles to solve. The former being character biographies, tapes and the riddler trophies, while the the latter is something that the Riddler has prepared for you. You can find all of these things scattered all around the Asylum, but if i were you i wouldn't bother with it.

    However were the game really drops the ball is in the Bosses. To know how they are you just have to take the Bane boss battle, a muscle dude that rushes towards you, you throw a batarang, he hits himself and then you hit him while fighting some mooks, then rinse and repeat and there you go, those are the bosses of the game. The only bosses that mix things up are Scarecrow, Poison Ivy and Killer Croc, but even those have problems. Killer Croc is more boring than anything else, if you can even call it a boss battle and Poison Ivy is just more mooks with a giant plant in the background. Really the only boss i thought it was design well was Scarecrow, here you have to avoid being spotted by him, while going through a 2D course that tests your platforming and fighting abilities, that was a pretty good boss.

    Overall Arkham Asylum is a fantastic game, i can definitely see why it was the GOTY of 2009. There's plenty of content i haven't talked about yet, but honestly even when considering just the single player and the game's flaws...it's still amazing. The bosses may be uninspired, but the game kicks *** in so many other areas that i don't even notice.

    I'll give it a 9/10.    … Expand
  30. gdiego135
    Dec 3, 2015
    9
    If you've wanted to start playing the Arkham Games definitely start with the first, this one.
    Batman Arkham Asylum is an amazing game with interesting characters, fantastic voice acting, great combat and stealth action and a pretty good story, also with awesome boss fights except the last one.
    You want to be the Batman then pick this game up immediately because it's worth your time.
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Awards & Rankings

10
#10 Best PS3 Game of 2009
7
#7 Most Discussed PS3 Game of 2009
5
#5 Most Shared PS3 Game of 2009

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 70 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 70 out of 70
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 70
  3. Negative: 0 out of 70
  1. Playstation Official Magazine UK
    90
    The whole game is a class act. The fighting is sophisticated but arcade-addictive, the visuals are stylish, and the Lara-like exploration is smartly done. Plus the DC heritage feels all-encompassing like a big blanket. Arkham Asylum is comfortably the best comic book game that PlayStation's ever had, and is up there with the system's best actioners, full stop. [Sept 2009, p.95]
  2. Game Informer
    95
    Batman: Arkham Asylum is this year's "BioShock," not just from the connection established with the world, but from its ability to innovate where new ideas are needed, and moreover, deliver an adventure unlike any other. [Sept 2009, p.82]
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  3. Playstation: The Official Magazine (US)
    100
    Yes, this is the Batman you've been waiting for...It's a wonderful experience, beginning to end, never taking the easy or familiar route, and infusing each shift of the story with original ideas that cut no corners. [Oct 2009, p.70]
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