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. LetoAtreides82
    Aug 21, 2013
    6
    I love the Batman movies but I couldn't get through this game, I find the combat too boring and too simple and the enemies too bland. The graphics and the art style look good and the voice acting is awesome but I see this game as a simple button smasher.

    The combat looks so goofy to me, you smash one or two buttons and Batman's delivering kicks and punches from everywhere. Batman is    I love the Batman movies but I couldn't get through this game, I find the combat too boring and too simple and the enemies too bland. The graphics and the art style look good and the voice acting is awesome but I see this game as a simple button smasher.

    The combat looks so goofy to me, you smash one or two buttons and Batman's delivering kicks and punches from everywhere. Batman is supposed to be one of the greatest martial artists ever but the moves he makes in this game look so unrealistic and illogical.

    I played for about 3 hours before I couldn't force myself to play any longer, and then I watched a few Youtube videos from the walkthroughs and wasn't impressed at all by the upgraded weapons and skills you get at the later levels, the combat still looked incredibly simple and the enemies look just the same.    … Expand
  2. piford
    May 21, 2013
    6
    This game is kinda overrated. People really like it because its batman. My main problem with this game is that its a beat em up that takes place in small corridors. While not terrible, I'd pass on this one. 6.5/10
  3. MrManga
    Jan 15, 2021
    6
    Fine world building and a decent story, many intressting characters but clunky controls and sometimes quite bad combat, dodge put you in harms way more times then it helps.
  4. Jackthegamer
    Sep 15, 2022
    6
    Batman Arkham Asylum is ok. Fighting is fun, story is good as well as the characters
  5. mattonify
    Jul 7, 2011
    5
    I'm sorry but there's really only a one good thing about this game, its story but that is truly captivating but when you have finished that you know where all the hidey holes are, you know where all the routes through are and i have just put it down and not played it for months.
  6. Nathan1963
    Sep 20, 2012
    5
    (Translate from Portuguese into English)Joguei e fiquei decepcionado,esperava muito mais desse jogo,não entendo até agora como pode ter notas tão altas ¬¬ muito superestimado,talvez o mais superestimado dessa geração,a unica coisa que me faz crer que receba notas tão altas é por causa da marca Batman,se fosse um personagem novo e(Translate from Portuguese into English)Joguei e fiquei decepcionado,esperava muito mais desse jogo,não entendo até agora como pode ter notas tão altas ¬¬ muito superestimado,talvez o mais superestimado dessa geração,a unica coisa que me faz crer que receba notas tão altas é por causa da marca Batman,se fosse um personagem novo e desconhecido não receberia notas tão altas,decepção.… Expand
  7. DeusXCom
    Oct 17, 2014
    5
    Extremely overrated. Thanks to all the hype and generally very high scores I was expecting something really amazing, but what i got was just an ok action game, where nothing really stands out and it all felt quite average to me. Visuals looks kinda bland, locations feel very samey, story is kinda there, but it's basically just hunting Joker down around the island which gets extremelyExtremely overrated. Thanks to all the hype and generally very high scores I was expecting something really amazing, but what i got was just an ok action game, where nothing really stands out and it all felt quite average to me. Visuals looks kinda bland, locations feel very samey, story is kinda there, but it's basically just hunting Joker down around the island which gets extremely annoying with his constant taunts and it's not just Joker's problem, overall most super-villain antagonists are just annoying and normal enemies are all the same hordes of thugs and grunts, from the start of the game to the end just endless groups of the same muscular thugs, that was very disappointing. The combat system is basically just a primitive button mashing, nothing to write home about. The batman himself in this game feel very empty as a character, without any sign of charisma, definitely no match for the movie counterpart. The entire game just screams bland and average to be honest and I don't really see where all the praise is coming from. What I liked however was when that tedious story mode with annoying Joker and Harleyquin finally ended, I wasn't forced to fight mindless groups of thugs and I was just there left alone to explore, to glide around, to use very cool gadgets, to search for the collectibles which contained actually more interesting story than the main story mode. That is were the game nailed it, the fact that all those gadgets actually work and are not only usable in the all around environment, but actually fun to use. It makes you feel like a batman, jumping around gargoyles, gliding in the night, searching for secrets, it's funny that I had really more fun post-end game than I did actually playing the main story, but at least I was able to enjoy some of what the game has to offer. 6/10… Expand
  8. TornadoCreator
    Jul 15, 2014
    5
    I question sometimes, how some games get trashed in reviews for "repetitive gameplay" or "uninspired combat" while this game is praised endlessly. Whilst admittedly a fun game the flaws in this game are many and difficult to ignore. First the positives; This game is truly a realised vision of Batman. The cast of the animated show provide great voice acting, and the art style is veryI question sometimes, how some games get trashed in reviews for "repetitive gameplay" or "uninspired combat" while this game is praised endlessly. Whilst admittedly a fun game the flaws in this game are many and difficult to ignore. First the positives; This game is truly a realised vision of Batman. The cast of the animated show provide great voice acting, and the art style is very reminiscent of the show. The stealth elements are well integrated into the game also, giving it a somewhat unique feel. Special mention should be given to the Scarecrow sections, which are tense and very evocative. Unfortunately, now for the negatives; The combat in this game is sickeningly simplified, repeatedly tapping 'square' will solve most situations, and once you've learned to dodge with 'x' when an enemy telegraphs an attack you're unstoppable. Counterattacking is pointless as it breaks you combo to do so, actually encouraging button mashing over tactics. Secondly, movement and camera; you have to hold down either the crawl or run buttons to centre Batman in the screen, now while a slightly off centre over-the-shoulder camera is standard for these games, this goes way to far. Batman is fixed to the left hand side of the screen, effectively making you blind to anything coming at you from the left. Since when was Batman blind in one eye? Couple this with a walk speed that's too slow and a run speed that's too fast and you'll be squatting you way through the game as though Batman needs the toilet. The lack of a jump button and context sensitive grapple hook controls also contribute to fiddling control that really damages the experience. Next there's the boss fights, or lack-there-of. Most bosses are little more than fighting a wave of goons while the boss cackles and watches from a window somewhere. Occasionally there's a big enemy which is beaten by dodging and having them charge into a wall, a technique used more creatively a decade ago in Spider-man on the PSOne. Lastly for the negatives there's the 'detective' mode which is insultingly linear. Touted as a means to allow none-linear gameplay, all it actually does is mean you have to cover the screen with a blue filter and follow the trail of glowing orange lights to the next part of the story. There's no actual investigation, puzzle solving, or intrigue; whether you're searching for fingerprints, blood stains, or tobacco smoke, your detective mode can sense it from across the room and instantly gives you a straight line to follow. It's monkey see, monkey do.

    Now if an easy, linear, and by the book comic hero game with maybe a dozen hours of content is what you're looking for, great, but if not you'll be disappointed. It's not that it's a bad game, far from it; it was a fun game for a few hours at least, but everything it's trying to do has been done better. Honestly, the Spider-Man game on the original PSOne has more varied combat, better boss fights, a stronger storyline, more varied locations, similar stealth elements, and a far better camera... and that came out more than 10 years before Arkham Asylum. That's rather sad for a game that's supposedly a pioneer of modern gaming.    … Expand
  9. OleT
    Dec 11, 2009
    4
    I hate the puzzle's and the camera angel sucks. (its over the right shoulder, blocking half the screen)
  10. ZangBang
    Feb 5, 2023
    4
    Stealth is basic and painfully unbalanced, and while Combat isn't much deeper, it nonetheless proves to be quite enjoyable thanks to a defined focus on fluid reactionary play, despite little enemy variety. Exploration, although heavily streamlined, is nicely diversified thanks to plenty of decent environmental interactions and some unique set-pieces. The plot isn't brilliant, but theStealth is basic and painfully unbalanced, and while Combat isn't much deeper, it nonetheless proves to be quite enjoyable thanks to a defined focus on fluid reactionary play, despite little enemy variety. Exploration, although heavily streamlined, is nicely diversified thanks to plenty of decent environmental interactions and some unique set-pieces. The plot isn't brilliant, but the combined efforts of the moody soundtrack, grim environments and lively dialogues craft a unique atmosphere.… Expand
  11. ChaseL
    Jan 1, 2010
    3
    This is one of the most overrated games you can find. Sure the it looks good, but graphics dont make a game. im sorry but i did not enjoy it at all, its good it came free with my new ps3
  12. chilimac
    Jan 10, 2010
    2
    Batman: AA represents everything that is wrong with the games industry today; sky high production values, but the games are short and so easy a caveman's child could beat them. Sure, the combat can be fun, until you realize that you just have to mash the buttons to win every contest. No skill is required. The game is very linear and short, and the game designers obviously new the Batman: AA represents everything that is wrong with the games industry today; sky high production values, but the games are short and so easy a caveman's child could beat them. Sure, the combat can be fun, until you realize that you just have to mash the buttons to win every contest. No skill is required. The game is very linear and short, and the game designers obviously new the when the decided to sprinkle the Riddler's trophys all over the place for you to look for, in an attempt to distract the player from the actual game, and thus avoid finishing it in one sitting. I don't know about you, but I didn't buy a Batman game so that I could go on an Easter egg hunt, I bought it in hopes of being able to kick some butt. And you do get to kick some butt, but unfortunately, the butts are too easy to kick, so much so that it's no fun. "Congrats, you have the ability to mash buttons" Not very rewarding, to say the least. I give it 2 points, one for the graphics and the other for the voice acting. The rest of the game is the stink. Would make a nice rental for the prepubescent in your life.… Expand
  13. Stratslinger315
    Apr 14, 2022
    1
    Textbook overrated. Plays clunky, doesn’t give much direction and leads to confusing repetition that is just boring when it isn’t annoying. It’s tedious and doesn’t get out of its own way. I don’t care about the hundreds of joker trophies. I don’t care about the bat sense. I literally walked past the objective 99% of the time because I had no clue wtf I was even supposed to be doing. TheTextbook overrated. Plays clunky, doesn’t give much direction and leads to confusing repetition that is just boring when it isn’t annoying. It’s tedious and doesn’t get out of its own way. I don’t care about the hundreds of joker trophies. I don’t care about the bat sense. I literally walked past the objective 99% of the time because I had no clue wtf I was even supposed to be doing. The objectives change all the time on maps that are maxes for the sake of player confusion and it leads to frustration. That’s what you’d expect from that formula, that’s what you get. I heard this was some of the best combat in a game? That’s a load of crap. The combat is like trying to run in water and it’s also somehow clearly designed for children. Meanwhile the clues are either obvious and right in front of you so you walk past them because the other clues are so vague you could not solve them all without a guide. Not possible. Not fun. Boring and outdated. Hope the other Arkham games are better and fanboys stop with the hype bs.… Expand
  14. herrmoekl
    Aug 3, 2021
    0
    A Masterpiece & the best Game in the Series

    This game is an amazing lesson in atmospherical density and level design, both things in which the prequels while improving on the gameplay, disappointed. It was also the first game ever that really made me feel like a superhero...
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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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