Batman: Arkham Asylum was a mega-hit in 2009. If you missed playing it you’ve done yourself a gaming disservice. There is every reason to believe that the sequel will be just as Bat-tastic. We’ve got just over three months to go until the current release date of 21 October 2011.
Information on Arkham City has been at a steady flow, but we were only given brief looks into the gameplay and new characters in the game – until now. Rocksteady Games has released a 10 minute long gameplay trailer showing off the sexy Catwoman and her athletic combat style, mixed in with Batman showing off his powerful moves. We also get a look at some of the new game mechanics and a sample of the script through character interactions.
To couple this gameplay trailer, we’ve decided to take a look at what we know about the game so far.
The Story
The plot is set approximately one year after the events of Arkham Asylum. During the interim, Asylum warden Quincy Sharp has taken credit for bringing the Joker fuelled situation under control and used this to his political advantage, being elected mayor of Gotham City.
Sharp declares both the Asylum and Blackgate Prison unfit to house inmates and he turns a portion of the Gotham City slums into a new walled compound named Arkham City. The Tyger mercenary group are hired to police the perimeter of Arkham City. The inmates are set loose inside and left to their own devices, the only rule being ‘don’t try to escape,’ under penalty of death. Sharp hopes that the criminals will destroy themselves instead of committing crimes in Gotham City.
Sharp leaves psychiatrist Hugo Strange in charge of Arkham City, but Strange has his own nefarious plans for the compound.
The game is set in motion when two-Face is admitted to Arkham City – he quickly decides that he must assert criminal dominance by pulling off a dastardly deed. He settles on the capture and public execution of Catwoman.
The ever vigilant Batman, whom was once romantically involved with Catwoman, enters Arkham City to stop the execution. The computer whiz Oracle (daughter of Police Commissioner Gordon) has gone missing, and as a result Alfred will be communicating with Batman throughout the game.
Meanwhile, The Joker is being nursed back to health by Harley Quinnn whilst Arkham City plunges into chaos.
Confirmed Characters
• Batman/Bruce Wayne
• The Joker
• Harley Quinn
• Catwoman
• Two-Face
• The Riddler
• Mr. Freeze
• Talia al Ghul
• Poison Ivy
• Mr. Zsasz
• Alfred Pennyworth
• Dr. Hugo Strange
• Calendar Man
• Black Mask
• The Penguin
• Jack Ryder
• Commissioner Gordon
• Quincy Sharp
• Ratcatcher
• Abramovici Twins
• Holly Robinson
• Robin/Tim Drake
The Gameplay
Catwoman will be a playable character in the story mode of the game, and Robin has recently been revealed as playable in two of the challenge maps. Robin will be available as a timed exclusive pre-order bonus at certain retailers around the world. MyGaming has contacted local distributor Nu Metro to find out if South Africa will be part of this pre-order incentive scheme.
The criminal gangs of Arkham City have taken up territories, and it might be presumed that the various supervillains are each leading a gang. Adventurous types will be pleased to know that the game will feature side missions that will develop the various characters found in the Batman universe. Rocksteady Games has promised a highly detailed environment, and these side missions will be a great excuse for gamers to explore.
Rocksteady also wants to emphasize forensics puzzle solving, promising an evolution of the forensics system from the previous game that will provide increasingly complex puzzles. For example, the Cryptogenic sequencer will be able to track signals, and Batman’s Detective Mode can be used for things such as tracking the locational origin of a sniper round.
The Riddler’s challenges will be making a return, but instead of merely stumbling across them, this time Batman will have to beat information from the Riddler’s henchmen. Most of Batman’s gadgets and weapons from the previous title will be available from the outset, but the specifics have not been confirmed. Batman will also have his classic smoke bombs this time, which he can presumably use to escape tight situations.
The combat system has been tweaked, and we know of some of the new features. Batman will be able to block and counter two attacks simultaneously. Certain gadgets can also be used during combat – Batman will be able to place explosive gel on the back of an enemy, which sounds hilarious and awesome. Smoke bombs have been confirmed
Whilst Batman is exploring Arkham City, he can tune in to numerous broadcasts, such as the Gotham City Police dispatch and Gotham FM. The Joker will also be taunting Batman throughout via the broadcast system.
Batman Arkham City: 10 minute Catwoman gameplay video << Comments and views
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