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Batman: Arkham Asylum (PlayStation 3)

92
MobyRank
100 point score based on reviews from various critics.
4.3
MobyScore
5 point score based on user ratings.
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Description

Once again, Batman has captured and returned the Joker to Arkham Asylum. Unfortunately, the inmates have taken over and the Joker is now running the show. Play as the Caped Crusader, navigating in a 3rd person style through the grounds and collective wings of Arkham Asylum; super prison and rehabilitation center for Gotham's most hardened criminals.

Using a combination of stealth, detective work, and exciting combat elements, proceed toward your ultimate goal of apprehending the maniacal Joker. On the way, you'll encounter some of Batman's deadliest foes. Fortunately, you're not entirely alone, as Batman will receive assistance from the surviving guards, and information from the computer genius Oracle.

Make use of the grappling hook, Batarangs, explosive gel, zipline, electronically-assisted vision, and more. During your search, you will gain experience points from defeating opponents, finding hidden items, or accomplishing special tasks. Once you "level up" you are able to purchase/upgrade an ability or feature of Batman's arsenal. The game features a controllable camera viewpoint, and optional first person view for viewing things up close.

Strewn about the grounds of the Asylum are 240 "riddles" for you to solve, courtesy of the Riddler, and a variety of achievements/trophies to unlock, depending on your gaming platform.

Screenshots

There are no PlayStation 3 screenshots for this game.

There are 56 other screenshots on file for other versions of this game.


Alternate Titles

  • "蝙蝠俠:小丑大逃亡" -- Chinese spelling (traditional)

Part of the Following Groups

User Reviews

There are no reviews for the PlayStation 3 release of this game. You can use the links below to write your own review or read reviews for the other platforms of this game.


The Press Says

GameSpy Aug 24, 2009 5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars5 Stars 100
GameFocus Sep 08, 2009 9.8 out of 10 98
OMGN: Online Multiplayer Games Network Nov 30, 2009 9.7 out of 10 97
Lens of Truth Aug 31, 2009 9.5 out of 10 95
Digital Chumps Aug 26, 2009 9.2 out of 10 92
Lawrence Sep 04, 2009 9 out of 10 90
Boomtown Aug 28, 2009 9 out of 10 90
The Next Level Sep 15, 2009 4.5 Stars4.5 Stars4.5 Stars4.5 Stars4.5 Stars 90
GameSpot Aug 24, 2009 9 out of 10 90
videogamer.com Aug 27, 2009 9 out of 10 90

Forums

There are currently no topics for this game.


Trivia

1001 Video Games

Batman: Arkham Asylum appears in the book 1001 Video Games You Must Play Before You Die by General Editor Tony Mott.

Batcave

The idea of a secondary Batcave in Arkham Asylum first appeared during the No Man's Land saga.

Batman: The Animated Series

Batman, Joker and Harley Quinn are voiced by Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill and Arline Sorkin respectively, who reprise their roles from the critically acclaimed Batman: The Animated Series.

The story is written by Paul Dini who, as well as having contributed to the comics, was a writer on the series.

PlayStation Home

Inserting the game into your PlayStation 3 console will unlock a PlayStation Home exclusive personal space called the Batcave Outpost Apartment. The space includes a replica of Bruce Wayne's underground lair, including famous items such as the Batsuit, Batmobile, and Batwing.

References

If Batman is killed by Bane, one of the death cut scenes shows Bane breaking his back. He also taunts Batman during battle, yelling "I will break you" and making a kneeing motion. This is a reference to the Knightfall storyline, where Bane actually broke Batman's spine.

References to Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth

The game references Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth several times:
  • Amadeus Arkham, the asylum's founder, is mentioned and has a bio.
  • The insect motif that appears on the "Spirit of Arkham" artifacts is inspired by the book.
  • In the garden, there is the statue of Saint Michell (an angel with a spear).
  • There is also a reference to the gory demise of Amadeus' wife and child.
  • And finally, the basic premise of the book is the same (the Joker takes over Arkham and its inmates, including several Bat-villains, run amok).

Awards

  • 4Players
    • 2009 – #6 Best Game of the Year (Readers' Vote)
    • 2009 – #3 Best Trailer Cut of the Year
  • AceGamez
    • 2009 - Game of the Year
    • 2009 - Xbox 360 Game of the Year
    • 2009 - Best Music & Sound
    • 2009 - Best Gameplay
  • Cheat Code Central
    • 2009 - Best Licensed Game
  • Game Developers Choice Awards
    • 2010 - Best Game Design
  • GamePro
    • 2009 - Best Licensed Game
  • GameShark
    • 2009 - Xbox 360 Game of the Year
    • 2009 - Best Line
    • 2009 - Best Boss
    • 2009 - Worst Boss
  • Gamespot
    • 2009 - Best Atmosphere (Editors' Choice)
    • 2009 - Best Atmosphere (Readers' Choice)
    • 2009 - Best Use of a Creative License (Editors' Choice)
    • 2009 - Best Use of a Creative License (Readers' Choice)
    • 2009 - Best Sound Design (Readers' Choice)
    • 2009 - Best UK-Developed Game (Readers' Choice)
  • GameSpy
    • 2009 - The Atmospheric Intensity Award
    • 2009 - The Bag of Tricks Award
    • 2011 – #1 Top Superhero PC Game (together with Batman: Arkham City)
  • GameTrailers
    • 2009 - Best Action/Adventure Game
    • 2009 - Biggest Surprise
  • IGN
    • Best PC Action Game (Editors' Choice)
    • Best PC Action Game (Readers' Choice)
    • Best Xbox 360 Story (Editors' Choice)
    • PC Award for Excellence in Sound (Readers' Choice)
  • Machinima
    • 2009 - Best Animation
    • 2009 - Best Art Direction
    • 2009 - Most Compelling Character (for the main antagonist The Joker)
Information also contributed by Big John WV and Caelestis.

Related Web Sites

Doppelgamer (270) added Batman: Arkham Asylum (PlayStation 3) on Aug 28, 2009
Other platforms contributed by Sciere (255542), Doppelgamer (270) and Sicarius (61025)