Ever since my Xbox's back, my weekends have been a lot spicier than before. I bought Batman - Arkham Asylum ages ago when my Xbox was free from RROD (for the first time). Midway through it, my xbox got the RROD again. It was frustrating. However, instead of going to these local repair guys, I sent it to one of the service centers. Although the fix was expensive but I think the problem's fixed (touchwood). The console is quieter and dissipates less heat. Anyways, I thought that I could restart the game from where I left, but somehow it did not detect my previous saves. Basically this meant to play from scratch again. It wasn't really a problem..I dint mind...I had actually forgotten most of the plot.
Anyways, the story takes place inside Arkham Asylum. For those who are not familiar with Arkham Asylum, its an asylum/jail where all the psychopaths in Gotham City are brought in for "rehab". Basically its a sh*thole with the meanest criminals/psychopaths anyone has seen..to cut short..a place where no one really wants to be.
The story begins with Batman catching The Joker and escorting him to the asylum. Batman kinda gets this feeling that something's fishy because Joker never let himself get caught this easily before. Needless to say he is in the middle of a conspiracy. The Joker gets the prisoners from Blackgate to get transferred to Arkham Asylum as well as part of his plans. Once inside the asylum, he beats up the guards and escapes through one of the gates with the help of Harley Quinn (his "girlfriend") who has hacked into the security system (being a doctor @ Arkham before getting brainwashed by the Joker) and helped Joker get away. Batman follows him inside the asylum only to become a puppet of Joker. The objective becomes to go after The Joker and foil every one of his plans.
The graphics are very pretty. They have kept it very comic-like. The entire Arkham asylum is creepy, dark and detailed very well.
The game play is unique with combos which when executed perfectly, kinda is like a stress reliever. Beating up Joker's goons to pulp with those elaborate combos gives you sheer pleasure...you actually get the feel of a superhero. There is obviously the stealth angle to it since Batman is someone who quietly comes and does his job and scaring the crap out of ppl. The detective mode shows the enemy locations so that we can plan our attack easily. The inverted takedown is soo cool where you grab guys as they pass directly beneath you and leave them hanging on ropes for their comrades to see. The enemies too undergo a change in their behavior from normal to nervous to terrified...the AI changes accordingly. They start moving in pairs and sometimes fire a shot in the air assuming they saw something. There are loads of cool weapons to choose from. From the batarang to the bat claw..each one is is unique and serves its purpose.
The level design is very detailed. Its an open world and you can climb onto rooftops and glide away for hours..it looks awesome. The scare crow challenge is very innovative where the game changes to a 2D scrolling one. Its kinda creepy the first time around. The game has loads of bosses, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, Bane, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy and ultimately The Joker. All in all a game which has everything, mind blowing graphics, a gripping plot, stealth, combat, big boss battles phew!..a tad too short by the end of it though...but I wont complain. Its fun!