Batman: Arkham Shadow review: I am the Night

by

As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I’ve seen my fair share of AAA franchises making the leap to VR. More often than not, these transitions have left me longing for the good old days on my trusty console. But Batman: Arkham Shadow has managed to buck that trend and then some.

In a surprising twist, the Batman: Arkham series has reemerged in a virtual reality format: a new VR game titled “Batman: Arkham Shadow.” This innovative title, developed by Camouflaj and Oculus Studios, delves deeper into the franchise’s lore with a gripping mystery narrative that unfolds prior to the events of Arkham Asylum. The game offers an engaging action experience that truly transports you into the world of Batman.

Cleaning the streets

In many cases, transitioning an AAA video game franchise to a VR version usually involves making visual and technical trade-offs. Fans of the Arkham series might have sighed when they learned that the latest release would only be available in VR. However, the team at Camouflaj has worked hard to ensure that Batman: Arkham Shadow feels as genuine and immersive as a VR Batman game could. I was surprised at how few sacrifices were necessary compared to typical VR games.

As a dedicated gamer, I can’t help but sing praises for the Arkham series, particularly Arkham Shadow. The combat mechanics in this game are simply sublime, offering a seamless dance of timing and patience that keeps me hooked. In the heat of battle, I dart in to jab enemies, stringing together combos before delivering the coup de grâce with a well-timed knee or powerful slam. Each strike echoes through my controllers, adding an authentic weight to every blow. And let’s not forget the sheer satisfaction of reaching for a batarang, locking onto a foe, and flinging it with pinpoint accuracy. It never fails to bring a smile to my face!

When an adversary hidden from sight is about to attack, a signal will guide you to extend your arm to ward off their strike, following which Batman will turn towards them. This strategy proves useful when dealing with multiple opponents simultaneously. The on-screen indicators showing where to strike enemies aid in stringing combos, but I experienced annoyance as I found myself in a rhythm of attacks. If my punches were too rapid, the game would reprimand me for being too swift, and the hit wouldn’t be recorded. It seemed like I was being penalized for executing swift, precise movements.

Arkham Shadow skillfully showcases Batman’s knack for stealth. Certain zones feature ventilation systems that Batman can navigate, allowing surprise attacks on adversaries. In the VR setting, you need to physically pry open grates and enter vents. I experienced several exhilarating moments where I hurriedly opened a vent and slipped inside just as an enemy neared my position. In other instances, I’d position myself on ledges for stealthy ambushes from above, using smoke bombs to hide myself while moving to different locations.

El Rata Alada

In this Arkham game, I had an unprecedented delight during the non-fighting parts instead. The simple act of moving around as Batman is a pleasure. Gliding down from a cliff with spread arms or using my grappler to swiftly climb up to a ledge brings joy. During narrative segments, I’d stroll leisurely through a room, channeling Christian Bale in The Dark Knight. Perched on the edge of a roof, gazing at the Gotham City skyline while Commissioner Gordon shared case updates made me feel even more engrossed in my role as Batman. Even the quiet moments drew me into the experience of being the Caped Crusader.

In the series, Arkham Shadow stands out for its strong detective aspect featuring Batman. The narrative unfolds between Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum, with the people of Gotham city facing danger from the Rat King and his cult. When he’s not delivering punches, Batman collects evidence and relies on his intuition to uncover more about this villain and his true identity.

Step into the realm of Detective Vision, a captivating feature reminiscent of the Arkham series, meticulously tailored for VR experience. By just extending my hand and tapping a virtual button nestled on the side of my head, I can activate Detective Vision at will. This magical tool reveals enemies, hidden vents, and crucial items with an intuitive glow. It functions identically to its counterparts in other Arkham games, but with some extra flourishes designed to draw me deeper into the game world.

Put on the cowl

For individuals like myself who don’t suffer from motion sickness, it’s still relevant to mention that Batman: Arkham Shadow offers locomotion settings designed to alleviate such issues. These features encompass the ability to select between smooth and snap turning, as well as support for both seated and standing gameplay modes. Regrettably, there appears to be no teleportation option available for movement in this game.

The game “Batman: Arkham Shadow” is visually stunning for virtual reality (VR) systems, making it a perfect fit for the Meta Quest 3 series devices and not their predecessors. However, it’s important to note that some typical VR issues persist, such as awkward character proportions or movements that don’t align with natural human behavior.

I am vengeance

As a devoted fan, I can confidently say that Batman: Arkham Shadow serves as the blueprint for AAA VR gaming. This game meticulously transposes the franchise’s finest elements into virtual reality, offering a level of immersion that makes you feel like you’ve donned the cape and cowl of the Dark Knight himself. The captivating original story matches the quality of stories found in most games within the series, making it an unmissable experience for any Batman fan.

Read More

2024-11-02 03:28