PRODUCT DETAILS

Batman: Arkham Asylum is an upcoming action-adventure video game for the PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Microsoft Windows, and is based on DC Comics' Batman. It is being developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos Interactive in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics. It is based on the long-running comic book mythos, as opposed to most other Batman games which are adaptations of the character in other media besides the source material.

The story is being written by Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series, Detective Comics) while Wildstorm is crafting the appearances of the characters. Game Informer teases that Arkham Asylum will be the ultimate Batman experience and the voice cast will reflect that with Mark Hamill as The Joker, Kevin Conroy as Batman and Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn in the game.

PLOT
The game begins with Batman capturing the Joker after his latest plot, escorting him to Arkham Asylum for imprisonment. Due to Joker's recent attack on Gotham's prison, a large number of sane convicts have been transferred to Arkham. Joker, however has set a trap inside the asylum, using the its own impenetrable defenses against him. Batman must now not only try to escape from the hazards of Arkham, but also recapture the Joker and reveal his true intentions.

GAME PLAY
The game will have a more closed gameplay atmosphere, similar to The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay. Paul Dini's story is a style reminiscent of the depth and twists of Bioshock. Gameplay places just as much focus on Batman's role as a detective as his combat prowess. Most of the game is played through an over-the-shoulder, third person perspective, similar to that of Resident Evil 4. It has been hinted that certain villains might be playable at some point in the game although this may be as an unlockable element after completing the game. Arkham was chosen as a location because of its limitations including the fact that it's located on an island. Arkham will be a persistent location that the player will be able to freely roam, including an area that serves as Batman's secret on-site Bat Cave.

COMBAT
Some boss battles are focused on combat while others will focus on gadgets. Combat description features Batman perched on a high ledge in a wide open room as he watches some of the Joker's thugs rifle through drawers. Batman switches to investigation mode using a blue tinted visor that among other things lets Batman see his enemies through walls and identifies things like guns and knives. One thug is carrying a machine gun, so Batman jumps off the ledge, spreads his cape, and stuns him. He then swipes his cape to stun his other enemies and engages them in combat. Combat is accomplished using only three buttons: Attack, Stun and Takedown.

During battle, a combo multiplier at the top of the screen will increase with every strike. Once the combo expires, a colony of bats will swirl around Batman and then contribute to an experience bar on the left side of the screen. In an RPG-like skill tree system players will be able to distribute points where they prefer. Gadgets are revealed by collecting items in secret rooms. The player will need gadgets to survive against certain enemies. There are sections that involve stealth, although the developers state that they prefer to call them "Predatory" gameplay sections, as stealth tends to imply weakness. Batman can create distractions with bodies and victims' yells, and then stalk the guards as they go to inspect. The realism of combat is extremely well made with the physics to be realistic.

DETECTIVE
The developers have come up with a "CSI style" for forensic puzzles because Batman will always have the very latest gadgets. Investigative mode is the centerpiece in Batman's arsenal. The visor can highlight points of interest and scan items into your database.

CHARACTERS:
Kevin Conroy as Batman
Mark Hamill as Joker
James Arnold Taylor as The Riddler
Tom Kane as Commissioner James Gordon
Brittany Byrnes as Barbara Gordon
Clancy Brown as Killer Croc
Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn
David Kaye as Scarecrow
Kirk Thornton as Mr. Freeze
Richard McGonagle as Bane
Danny Jacobs as Mr. Zsasz
David Sobolov as Penguin
Michelle Ruff as Poison Ivy
TBA As Killer Moth
TBA as Ratcatcher

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