Video Game Review- Batman: Arkham Asylum

Hey there bloggers! It's been a while! I'm going to start off a new series of posts in keeping with the title of this blog by doing some reviews of video games, movies, comics, books, and more.

To start things off, I think it appropriate to begin with one of the most popular video games in recent years, which blends aspects of almost every category I listed above: Batman: Arkham Asylum.

Here's a trailer:

Where do I even begin here? Obviously, I coming a little late to the review party here, because this was a highly anticipated, muchly talked about, and extremely popular video game...two years ago! Since then, not only has it won numerous awards and become a favourite game of both fanboy gamers and non-fanboy gamers alike, but it has even spawned a sequel which has risen to become of the all-time video greats in popular opinion, but more on Arkham City in a later review.

The developers, one Rocksteady studios based in the U.K., set out to create the ultimate "Batman" video game experience. A number of games had attempted to do this before, but most had fallen tragically short of making the player really feel as if they had stepped into the shoes of the Dark Knight. Now, I will give honourable mention to the adaptation of Batman Begins, which I believe must have been a big influence on the Arkham developers since there were some very distinct similarities in gameplay, situations and environment between the two games.

The game begins with Batman, as per usual, returning with his greatest rival, the Joker, to the maximum security prison island Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane. However, Batman is somewhat suspicious as the Joker seems to have given himself up almost without a fight. How right he was! With the help of his girlfriend and former psychologist, the flirtatious Harleen Quinzel (aka. Harley Quinn), Joker escapes imprisonment and promptly takes control of the Asylum, thereby hatching a complex plan and setting into motion a treacherous series of events in order to give Batman one of the worst nights of his life.

The story unfolds masterfully with numerous twists, turns and "AWW-YEAH!" moments as seasoned Batman:The Animated Series scribe Paul Dini and his crew put together a night that Batman will not soon forget. Bringing in notable villains from Batman's rich comic book history, each one seemingly more terrifying than the next. From the physically imposing Bane, to the terrifyingly monstrous Killer Croc, to the disturbingly creepy Scarecrow (a personal favourite villain), to even the deadly (and way underdressed) Poison Ivy. The story also includes various doctors and officials from the Asylum, such as Dr. Penelope Young, a pioneering young psychiatrist who has been duped by the Joker, Aaron Cash, the head of security with a hook for a hand (courtesy of Croc) and a bad attitude, and the warden of the asylum, one Quincy Sharpe.

Beyond the main story line, the game is oozing with an abundance of extras, easter eggs, and clever references to Batman's comic book heritage. Many of these are discovered through the clever Riddler side-story. The Riddler, born Edward Nigma, is a narcissistic genius who is determined to prove himself the intellectual superior of the World's Greatest Detective. Having hidden various glowing green question mark trophies, invisible paint optical illusions, and riddles (many of which referencing someone or something from the comics) all over the island to provide a challenging and entertaining sidebar to the main plot. Character biographies discovered and unlocked throughout the game allow the player to read up on their Batman mythology. The "Chronicles of Arkham" hidden throughout the island allow you to hear the voice of the Spirit of Amadeus Arkham, founder of Arkham Asylum, and listen as his descent into obsessive madness causes him to commit disturbing crimes in the name of fanatical "justice." And, if you find them all, the end provides an amazing twist and revelation that will make you see both this game and its sequel in a whole new light. There are also a number of patient interview tapes which provide entertaining and fascinating insights, as well as background information, through fully voice-acted interviews with some of the main villains of the game.

Speaking of voice-acting, one of the great strengths of the game is its brilliant cast and voice work. Fans of the Batman animated series from the 90s will feel a nostalgic buzz as the deep voice of Kevin Conroy emanates from the throat of the Dark Knight Detective, and Mark Hamill takes his trademark performance as the Joker to the next level, providing a wonderful blend of the disturbingly creepy, and the darkly humorous. And from Harley's high-pitched New Yorker accent, to Ivy's deep, seductive tones, to Bane's heavy hispanic accent, to the Riddler's mocking self-importance, the supporting cast delivers as well.

The game's visual components can only be described as both creepy and stunning. The Island is richly detailed filled with sincerely disturbing environments that make just walking through and looking around a rich and interesting experience.

Characters have been redesigned to mix the iconic, imaginative and often over-the-top look from the comics with a genuine sense of realism and functionality. The result is an array of character designs that present a sort of "heightened reality." Batman's bulky physique and square jaw, set in contrast to Joker's wiry frame. Harley's "sexy nurse" outfit, and Scarecrow's part sack part gas-mask headwear are just a couple of the notable character design aspects.

All of these aspects brought together would have made for a heck of a good computer-animated film. But what makes all of this so much more rewarding is that this is a game that honest and truly makes you feel like you have donned for yourself the cape and cowl, and become the thing that makes criminals afraid to go out at night. From the intuitive "freeflow" combat system, which makes you feel like a kung-fu master, to the brilliant and almost too-entertaining "invisible predator" stealth mode makes for a rich and immersive gameplay experience. The flawless integration of strategy, stealth, timing, and patience makes button mashing or rash, full-steam-ahead attack may not end so well for you. You need to stop, think, strategize. Use the environment, your gadgets and psychological manipulation to your advantage to take down your enemies in the most creative and entertaining ways possible. The challenge mode in the game provides opportunity to refine your Batman skills so as to truly become a force to be reckoned with.

One last thing to mention is the bonus component for PS3 owners in the "Play as the Joker" mode allowing you to mess with the security of the asylum as you make your mad dash (pun very much intended) escape. What could be more entertaining than taking down your foes with a spray of poison gas from the flower on your jacket, or a swift kick between the legs from behind, or a two-finger poke to both your eyes. Add chattering teeth carrying dynamite, and a single-shot revolver, and you have an incredibly enjoyable add-on to your challenge mode.

An array of factors come together to create the ultimate Batman experience, only to be topped by its successor. For fanboys and gamers alike, this game will provide a rich and entertaining experience. I would say that the Arkham games are the ultimate super hero video game experience.

It's Finally Here!!

With the passing of the super bowl this weekend (and I have no idea who won, or even who was playing fro that matter) the first glimpse into the highly anticipated Captain America film by Marvel Studios has hit the internet! And it looks EXCELLENT!

This short, but very telling trailer, provides a look at a number of things that make an unashamed fanboy like me go nuts:

1. Skinny-Boy Rogers: We get a couple of really good shots at an extremely un-impressive physique that is pre-Project:Rebirth Steve Rogers. Whatever effect they used to pull off making lead man Chris Evans look like a 30 pound weakling paid off! Very true to the source material.

2. The Experiment: Beyond the skinny effect, the transformation sequence looks to be well done, and seamless in the transfer from zero to hero!

3. Lights! Camera!: The movie looks good from what I can tell. A variety of environments, designs and tech (lovin' the Stealth Plane!) look very well done, and looks in keeping with the whole Comic-Bookish WWII idea.

4. ACTION!: Um...stuff blew up. Thumbs up in my book! Seriously though, with the promising "super-run" and action that came from Emil Blonsky's super serum dosage in the most recent Hulk installation, this movie promises to ramp that action tot he next level, and it seems they've done a pretty good job of it from what little action we see in the trailer (Suuuuuper jump!)

5. Howling Good Time: As promised: the Howling Commandos (meaning ol' One-eyed Nick shant be far behind). It looks like they'll be playing a reasonably major role in the film as well. The best part: Dum Dum Dugan's stylin' 'stache and bowler hat!

6. Humour: In good Marvel fashion, while the action, drama and romance elements certainly seem to be present, there is also light hearted fun thrown in so as not to make a movie about a guy in a bright blue suit and a big American shield super heavy. The bit about the lady shooting him to test the shield...classic! Also indicative of a good chemistry between the actors, which is always important.

7. Evans doesn't suck!: Yes, I know it is a short trailer, and one can only tell so much, however, from what I could tell, Evans not insignificant acting abilities are not to be lacking in this film, and his natural charisma and wit will lend themselves to Cap quite nicely. 

Finally, and perhaps most excitingly...

8. THE RED SKULL!!: That's right, we get a nice look at General Red Skin, and he looks awesome! Straight from the source material, and pulling off some fake skin to boot (ew!). Hugo Weaving, an actor of tremendous ability and overall awesomeness (do you remember, remember the 5th of November Mr. Frodo Anderson?) is bound to make a phenomenal Herr Skullhead!

Am I reading too much into this little trailer? Maybe. But I've got a good feeling about this one. If nothing else, it cannot get much worse than the previous attempts at making Cap a star of the Silver Screen!

Greeting, Salutations and Stuff

Hey hey!

You found it! You made it! I was so worried! Welcome to my little neck of the woods. This here is my outlet to rave about all of the pop culture coolness that jumps at me from every direction. I post here so that my friends on Facebook don't have to put up with it! Why do I call this the Re-Pre-View, you might ask? Well, mainly because I thought it sounded a whole lot cooler than my first idea, which was Blah-some Blog, which I was very proud to have thought up as an amalgamation of "Blah blah blah" and "Awesome" before one of my friends pointed out that, when verbalized, it sounds like a budding flower. 

Anyways, here is where I commend and attack all sorts of movies, tv shows, comic books, and whatever else I happen to be distracted by on a given day. It is a place for me to review and preview (get it?) anything and everything. Also, it is a place for my inner nerd to shine!

Hope you enjoy it! Thought really, this blog is an outlet for me, so it really doesn't matter if you enjoy it or not! But still, it would be nice if you did!

Cheers!