Batman: Arkham Asylum

AceGamez (10 out of 10)

With a campaign lasting around fifteen hours (longer if you really enjoy exploring), Batman: Arkham Asylum certainly doesn't disappoint in terms of longevity. This is further enhanced by the many combat and stealth challenges that can be unlocked to hone your skills. With the possibility of new maps being released as DLC in the future and the 240 mysteries hidden by the Riddler in the story mode, there is plenty to do and see and you'll be thankful the experience lasts so long without becoming tired. Arkham Asylum has an irresistible pull and you'll find yourself a die hard Bat-fan after becoming immersed in this gripping world. Not only a success as a licenced game, Batman: Arkham Asylum is a modern classic and an essential purchase for anyone looking for a solid, enthralling adventure.

Gaming since 198x (5 out of 5)

Magistral et addictif, ce sont les deux mots qui viennent à l'esprit lors d'une partie de Batman: Arkham Asylum. Magistral parce qu'absolument tout, qu'il s'agisse de la réalisation à l'écriture en passant par la maniabilité a été fignolé avec la précision d'un horloger suisse. Addictif parce que même après l'avoir terminé, on n'a qu'une seule envie: y retourner et mettre à mal le mode Défi. Un hit incontournable et l'un des tous meilleurs jeux de l'année.

DarkZero (10 out of 10)

Rocksteady have proven that they’re a company that really care. They actually ‘get’ Batman, they’ve looked at the character from every conceivable angle and strived to make this everything anybody could possibly want from a Batman game. It’s an adult presentation of an adult character, and not once does it fail to make the player feel anything other than the Dark Knight himself. At one point last year Ian Livingstone, head of Eidos, made the bold statement that Arkham Asylum was the closest thing to a perfect game they’ve ever made. After multiple play-throughs and constant replaying of challenge rooms (that encompass freeflow and silent predator challenges outside of the main game) I can honestly say that while it isn’t the perfect game, it’s the closest you’ll ever get to being Batman.

Armchair Empire, The (10 out of 10)

Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as Joker are just about as good as you can get. Not to gush too much, but they’re both awesome. The fact the rest of production values and excellent story pad out the performances means you’re getting a re-skinned but never before released episode of Batman: The Animated Series. I can’t recommend Arkham Asylum enough.

Gaming Age (A)

If you've been on the fence about this one, I highly suggest you pick it up, there's nothing here that'll disappoint, and like I mentioned, the gameplay is so great that you don't need to be a Batman fan to appreciate how great the gameplay is. Absolutely worth buying, and worth keeping for that matter, as it has a fair amount of replay value packed in. Batman: Arkham Asylum is easily in my top three or so for the year, and a serious contender for Game of the Year.

GamingEvolution (10 out of 10)

Batman: Arkham Asylum is of a rare breed that surfaces every few years. While you don't expect too much from the game, you come to find that it's far beyond anything you could have imagined. Rocksteady Studios should pat themselves on their backs a for a job well done. If we could get the same level of creativity out of other developers and Rocksteady, we certainly wouldn't be disappointed with anything we play.

GameSpy ( )

If you're a Batman fan, this is the best treatment the World's Greatest Detective has ever received in videogame form -- and if you're not a Batman fan, Arkham Asylum will change that. This is how to make a licensed game.

GameFocus (9.8 out of 10)

Batman: Arkham Asylum can be easily compared to classic games like Eternal Darkness and Bioshock, a game that no one expected to be good and turned out to be one the most impressive, immersive and breathtaking games ever released. The grim set-up mixed an incredible voice-over work and great storytelling makes of Batman: Arkham Asylum, not only the best Batman game ever published but also the best comic-book/superhero videogame so far and a very serious “Game of the Year” contender.

OMGN: Online Multiplayer Games Network (9.7 out of 10)

If you’re looking for a great licensed game with melees, stealth, intellectual puzzles and more, then Batman: Arkham Asylum is for you. The richness of the experience and depth of the game have a lot to offer just about anybody, fans of Batman or not. If you don’t already have this game and want to add a solid title to your collection, then you can’t go wrong with the Dark Knight’s latest game.

Games Abyss (9.5 out of 10)

Batman: Arkham Asylum is one of the best examples in recent memory (competing with the likes of Red Faction: Guerrilla and Fallout 3) I've seen of a smart, entertaining, well-made action game. It looks incredible and plays even better, giving players a real feel for what it's like to be Batman. Whether it's grappling up an elevator shaft, zip-lining across a chasm or taking out the Joker's annoying joke teeth with a lazy flick of the Batarang, there are so many things to love. Even if you've never dreamed of stepping into those famous blue tights, Arkham Asylum is one of those games you just shouldn't miss out on.

Extreme Gamer (9.5 out of 10)

With the beauty of this game, the amazing sound, script and voice-acting, this is definitely one game you would be –ahem- batty to not buy. This game is light-years ahead of any of its predecessors and breathes life and hope back into the franchise. This is the way Batman should have always been in games, and other game companies will be hard pressed to make the level of success of this game for future comic-to game releases. In my humble opinion this should be game of the year!

Wonderwallweb.com (9.5 out of 10)

Arkham Asylum is not only the best superhero game you will ever play but in my opinion it is also a huge contender for game of the year. The story will pull you in and the mixture of stealth, combat and intrigue will keep you there. What more can I say to sell this game to you? Buy it now because you will not regret it.

Lens of Truth (9.5 out of 10)

Batman: Arkham Asylum is the pinnacle of the genre, having everything in place fans have wanted from every other attempt at a super hero game. Starting with the voice actors from the animated series and even hiring one of Batman’s writers to pen the story, Eidos set the table for success. As one can expect the story hit on all cylinders and thankfully so did the rest of the game.

Game Informer Magazine (9.5 out of 10)

Batman: Arkham Asylum is this year’s BioShock, not just from the connection established with the world, but from its ability to innovate where new ideas are needed, and moreover, deliver an adventure unlike any other.

GBase - The Gamer's Base (9.5 out of 10)

Wow! Kein anderes Wort überquert meine Lippen, als der Abspann über den Fernseher flimmert und ich den Entwicklern den verdienten Respekt zolle. Rocksteady hat ein qualitativ hochwertiges Spiel geschaffen, dass in jede Zockersammlung gehört. Dazu muss man nicht unbedingt Batman-Fan sein, obwohl es das Lösen der motivierenden Riddler-Rätsel deutlich vereinfacht. Batman: Arkham Asylum sieht nicht nur knackig gut aus, sondern kann ebenso durch Abwechslung im Gameplay sowie eine spannende, im Batman Universum glaubwürdig verankerte Geschichte gross auftrumpfen. Den Entwicklern ist eine geniale Mischung aus Schleichen und Gegner verkloppen gelungen, wobei Erstes meine persönliche Vorliebe ist. Nichts fühlt sich besser an, als mit Jokers Gaunern Katz und Maus zu spielen. Genial. Das fasst es wohl zusammen.

Kombo.com (9.5 out of 10)

Batman: Arkham Asylum is everything I've always wanted a Batman game to be. In a desert of terrible cash-in games based on big dumb summer movies, Arkham Asylum is a refreshing oasis.

411mania.com (9.4 out of 10)

When January rolls around and it is time to vote on the 411mania’s year end awards it is going to be very difficult for me not to vote for Batman: Arkham Asylum for Game of the Year. Yes, I know Uncharted 2 is around the corner and that it will be awesome, but Batman has all the tools to be the must have game of 2009. Everything clicks to make you FEEL like Batman and it delivers the new benchmark from which superhero games will be judged in the future.

IGN (9.3 out of 10)

Batman: Arkham Asylum is the greatest comic book videogame of all time. This is an adult Dark Knight story that is well-told, packs some truly fun gameplay elements, has topnotch voice talent, and feel like it's part of Batman canon. If I have to nitpick, I wish the cutscenes looked better as they can distract from the tale and that the AI was a bit more responsive, but those are tiny flaws that shouldn't distract from the big picture. Rocksteady nailed what Batman is supposed to feel like. Fans, rejoice.

Worth Playing (9.3 out of 10)

There have been many different Batman games over the years, but none quite so polished as this one. Batman: Arkham Asylum combines the best elements of the classic Batman mythos with the modern-day interpretation of the hero. The end result is a game that outshines its flaws and is quite simply a blast to play.

Cheat Code Central (4.6 out of 5)

I can say with confidence and cannot stress enough, Batman: Arkham Asylum is, without a doubt, the best Batman game ever created. It does more than give you the Batman game you want, it gives you a video game that you could play repeatedly, even if it didn't have the caped and cowled Dark Knight in it. With a massive world to search, an easy to adjust combat system, stealth action, audio logs to find, and challenges galore, Batman has finally come into his own in this medium. There are so many extra things and enjoyable moments in Arkham Asylum for fans and newcomers alike, you'll be glad you are a fan of Batman and video games.

Digital Chumps (9.2 out of 10)

The Caped Crusader is as popular today as ever, after decades of comics, TV shows, toys, movies, and video games. The Batman video games have been everything from terrible to good over the years, but Rocksteady Studios and Eidos Interactives' newest, Batman: Arkham Asylum, is by far the best. Not only is Arkham Asylum the best Batman game, it's an incredible game all around that you absolutely should not miss.

Game Revolution (A-)

With fantastic voice acting, gorgeous graphics, and a well-written plot, what else could you want from a game? Great for hardcore Batmaniacs as well as gamers looking for a solid action/adventure game, I'm happy to declare Batman: Arkham Asylum as the best Batman game ever.

Original Gamer (9.1 out of 10)

Although there's no online mode, Batman: Arkham Asylum has plenty of game for you. Story mode takes 8-10 hours, but achievements along with the collectible secrets can keep most people playing for a little longer. What it comes down to though is satisfaction. From beginning to end, there's a great sense of have a well-rounded experience. Granted, there are several aspects that can be improved upon yet the good absolutely outweighs the bad making a difficult task of nitpicking.

1UP (A-)

But you know what? Batman: Arkham Asylum is a Batman: The Animated Series movie where you yourself are in control of Batman and his sheer awesomeness, and that ultimately makes it the best Batman game to date.

GameTrailers (9 out of 10)

Though it'll take you in the neighborhood of 12 hours to play through, Arkham Asylum feels like it's over in a heartbeat. This is a testament to its magnificent pacing, and the care that went into making every moment feel important. Regardless of whether you know or care what a Killer Croc is, know that this is a game worth playing.

GameDaily (9 out of 10)

And play you should. Batman Arkham Asylum hits stores on Tuesday, August 25, if there's any Dark Knight game worth going bats over, this is it.

Thunderbolt Games (9 out of 10)

In the end, Batman: Arkham Asylum is the best superhero game to date. It captures everything that makes Batman who he is with some fluent yet brutal combat and clever stealth action. The detective side of things leaves a lot to be desired with its basic follow tasks, but the rest of the elements come together to create a cohesive romp through the madhouse. Just when you think things are beginning to drain they’ll throw something new at you to shake things up, so you’re always on your heels and experiencing new changes to the gameplay. Whether you’re a Batman fan or not this is a game you surprisingly need to play.

VicioJuegos.com / uVeJuegos.com (90 out of 100)

En conclusión, Rocksteady Studios ha matado dos pájaros de un tiro con Batman: Arkham Asylum: ha negado la regla de que a partir de licencias sólo pueden salir juegos mediocres creando un título a la altura del gran personaje de cómics. Aunque su duración juega un poco en su contra, no se puede negar el trabajo y el empeño que se han puesto en desarrollar el juego definitivo del murciélago de Gotham. Los fans disfrutarán descubriendo las biografías de personajes y recordando cuando leían al Caballero Oscuro, pero también lo harán los que no lo conocían tanto con su increíble y profunda combinación de mecánicas. Incluso hará que muchos se interesen por el personaje de Bob Kane. Después de pasar una noche de ajusticiamiento con Batman, no nos cabe la menor duda de que estamos ante un candidato a los mejores juegos del año.

The Next Level (USA) ( )

In the end, Batman: Arkham Asylum is fantastic and a must have for franchise fans owning a PS3 or Xbox 360. It's dark and moody, exemplifying all the characteristics that makes the Batman franchise what it is, while still remaining a fun, thrilling thing to play. You'd be a fool to pass it up.

Jeuxvideo.com (18 out of 20)

Véritable hymne à la gloire du Dark Knight, Batman Arkham Asylum manipule son héros et le joueur par la même occasion. Multipliant les moments de jouissance, offrant une jouabilité faite dans un moule de simplicité, le titre de Rocksteady transpire la passion pour un des plus grands héros jamais créés. On pourra lui reprocher son terrain de jeu limité, des mécanismes tournant vite en rond ou le fait d'être passé complètement à côté des combats de boss mais ces défauts ne pèsent pas lourd face à un monceau de qualités. Esthétiquement superbe, gothique à souhait, Batman AA procure un concentré de plaisir brut une fois la bat-manette en main. Oeuvre fragile et définitive, le soft de Rocksteady ne peut nous faire espérer qu'une chose : une suite... Dans les bas-fonds de Gotham. Respect.

Retrogaming History (9 out of 10)

Pubblicato in sordina, Batman Arkham Asylum si è rivelato a sorpresa come uno dei tie-in più riusciti di sempre. Se non fosse per il livello di difficoltà o la generale linearità, sarebbe a mani basse un capolavoro assoluto. I Rocksteady Studios tuttavia avranno sicuramente la possibilità di rifarsi visto che si è sfruttata solo una piccola parte dello sterminato universo del cavaliere oscuro.

Game Captain (90 out of 100)

Eieiei. Oder auch "uiuiuiui". Was auch immer, wie auch immer: Batman: Arkham Asylum macht Laune. Schlicht und ergreifend. Ob es nun die Kämpfe sind, die Grafik oder die Akustik – ich fühlte und fühle mich bei diesem Titel einfach gut unterhalten, war ein Teil des Ganzen und das ist doch das, worauf es ankommt. Sicher, es gibt auch Schwachstellen wie die angesprochenen Clippingfehler oder hier und da eben auch mal auftretende logische Schwächen oder Planlosigkeit bei den Missionen. Trübt das den Gesamteindruck? Nein. Wer auf Superhelden steht, muss zugreifen, es gibt nichts anderes für Fledermäuse als dieses Spiel. Und wer ein gutes Spiel sucht, bei dem die Atmosphäre stimmt, der ist hier ebenfalls gut aufgehoben.

Lawrence (9 out of 10)

There are very few gripes to be had. Yes, the camera can be somewhat fidgety. And the boss fights, aside from the morbid meetings with the Scarecrow, are fairly basic. But neither of these minor quibbles are enough to scare anyone away from an overall excellent game.

videogamer.com (9 out of 10)

Batman: Arkham Asylum is everything you'd want from a Batman video game. It takes the licence and uses it in ways that make sense both for the character and for a game, giving players the chance to become one of the most popular super heroes of all time. There are a few niggling issues, but nothing that gets in the way of what is undoubtedly one of the best games of 2009. Whether you fancy skulking in the shadows, smashing slow motion fists in into a goon's skull, or simply using some cool gadgets, you can do no wrong with what is Eidos' best game in years.

PSX Extreme (9 out of 10)

If you can't tell by now, then let me make it painfully obvious: Batman: Arkham Asylum is the pinnacle of superhero games. It is without question the best superhero game ever made, and we can clearly see that the numerous delays the game saw have paid off extremely well. This is not just a polished game, but also a very well thought out title with a great story, fantastic visuals, superb gameplay, and voice acting that makes almost everything else out there pale in comparison.

Game Positive ( )

The flaws in Batman: Arkham Asylum limit themselves to some repetition and a lack of multiplayer. Considering that the game is full of quality action and surrounded by a unique and interesting story, those missteps are easy to overlook. This atmospheric, action-packed romp through the nuthouse allows you to truly play like Batman. Very few video games provide that sense of immersion, so this one is definitely worth your time and money.

GameSpot (9 out of 10)

Regardless of whether you're getting sucked into the Story mode or competing for high scores in the Challenge mode, Batman: Arkham Asylum does an outstanding job of letting you be Batman. Everything about this game--the impressive visuals, stirring soundtrack, superb voice acting, fiendish puzzles, hard-hitting combat--feels like it has been lovingly crafted by a development team that's both knowledgeable and passionate about the source material. Miss out on this one and the joke's on you.

Game Over Online (90 out of 100)

If you’ve been seeking a game that did justice to the character in nearly every way, this is the game for you. Even if you aren’t a fan of the character, this is still a really good third-person action/adventure in its own right, and even if you don’t get the little references thrown in, you’ll be able to recognize how good the core game is.

Boomtown (9 out of 10)

With a dark and sombre atmosphere, multi-layered, fluid and ferocious combat and deeply engaging stealth, Batman: Arkham Asylum is the game Batman fans have been waiting for, and more. It's simply a fantastically told, superbly acted and brilliantly realised action adventure. It makes me wonder if Rocksteady realises the scope of what its achieved here.

Gamernode (9 out of 10)

This game lets players know just what it is like to be Batman. No matter how much of the story mode or challenge missions you play, it will suck you in and keep you there. The game is an absolute love letter to the source material and has addictive combat, stealth, and puzzle solving to keep it entertaining and fun the whole way through. Combine that with top-notch voice acting, an amazing story, and plenty of tiny little nods to the Batman universe, and you have the Batman experience.

PlayFrance (9 out of 10)

Batman : Arkham Asylum est une réussite sur bien des points. Un scénario bien écrit, un univers attirant, un gameplay diversifié et surtout une réalisation technique bluffante, on en redemande forcément. Le jeu est fun à prendre en main et on prend plaisir à alterner entre action et infiltration. Malheureusement toute les bonnes choses ont une fin et on attend déjà la suite avec impatience.

VicioJuegos.com / uVeJuegos.com (89 out of 100)

En resumidas cuentas, Batman: Arkham Asylum ha conseguido cumplir en buena medida las expectativas que había puestas en él. No puede decirse que sea perfecto, ya que ciertos elementos repetitivos en su diseño jugable, sobre todo en lo que combates se refiere, le restan algunos puntos. Sin embargo, su perfecta ambientación, la buena e inmersiva narrativa y la genuina sensación de meternos en la piel del Caballero Oscuro hace que sea, no sólo un imprescindible para los seguidores del personaje, sino también una compra más que recomendable para todo tipo de jugadores. Sin lugar a dudas, sin hubiera más juegos basados en licencias como este título, otro gallo nos cantaría en este nuestro mundillo.

Gameswelt (88 out of 100)

Batman rockt. Die Musik im Spiel hätte durchaus etwas epischer sein können. Auch hätte es nicht geschadet, wenn die normalen Gegner etwas abwechslungsreicher aussehen würden und nicht wie aus der Retorte. Und wenn das Spiel schon ab 16 ist, warum sind dann nicht wenigstens auch ein paar Blutspritzer eingebaut? Die Action ist toll inszeniert, wirkt brachial und sieht einfach toll aus. Hinzu kommen noch die Schleichelemente, die sich nahtlos in das Spiel einfügen und eben nicht gezwungen wirken. Lobenswert ist auch, dass es so viel auf der Insel zu entdecken gibt. Und dann sind da ja noch etliche bekannte Gegenspieler, die man aus dem Batman-Universum kennt und liebt. Batman Arkham Asylum ist endlich mal ein Lizenzspiel, das zeigt, wie man seiner Lizenz gerecht werden sollte. Stealth und Action passen bei Batman wie die Faust aufs Auge.

Krawall Gaming Network (86 out of 100)

Kein anderes Superhelden-Spiel konnte mich bisher so fesseln wie „Batman: Arkham Asylum“. Die Story zieht einen dank cineastischer Inszenierung sofort in ihren Bann und lässt einen aufgrund zahlreicher Plottwists nicht mehr so schnell los. Der Gameplay-Mix aus Brawler und Stealth-Action macht ebenfalls Spaß. Über die etwas dürftige Gegner-KI kann man angesichts der Allmachtsgefühle, die der Titel erzeugt, hinwegsehen. Lediglich das etwas eintönige Missionsdesign und die Backtrackingpassagen stoßen sauer auf. Aber auch diesbezüglich kriegt „Arkham Asylum“ im letzten Drittel wieder die Kurve. Unterm Strich bietet das Abenteuer nicht nur „Batman“-Fans genug Stoff für zwölf bis fünfzehn unterhaltsame Stunden. Also, nichts wie ran an den Flattermann!

JeuxActu (17 out of 20)

Un peu sorti de nulle part, Batman : Arkham Asylum clôture les Grandes Vacances (ou commence la rentrée, c'est selon) de la plus belle manière qui soit. Grâce à sa réalisation haut de gamme, son gameplay riche et intuitif et son ambiance unique, le titre d'Eidos et de Rocksteady captive notre attention dès la première minute, en nous emmenant dans une aventure pleine de surprises et d'amusement. Nul doute que Batman : Arkham Asylum fait désormais partie des jeux incontournables qu'il faut posséder dans sa ludothèque pour ne pas passer pour le benêt de service.

Gamona (85 out of 100)

Batman: Arkham Asylum bietet eigentlich alles, was man von einem Videospiel des Dunklen Ritters erwarten darf: Finstere, detailgetreue und höchst atmosphärische Umgebung, filmreife Inszenierung, hervorragende Charaktere, tolle Sprecher, intuitives und spektakuläres Kampfsystem, etliche Rätsel, viele Zusatzinhalte - auch abseits der Hauptstory - die das Erkunden lohnend machen. Comicspielerfanherz, was willst du mehr? Nun ja, ein wenig mehr Spieltiefe würde z.B. nicht schaden. Die Kämpfe sind spektakulär, nutzen sich jedoch relativ schnell ab. Viele Gameplay-Elemente wiederholen sich zu häufig, so hätten auch die Bosskämpfe trotz beeindruckender Hintergrundkulisse etwas mehr Tiefgang vertragen können. Jede der guten Ideen hätte noch ein wenig mehr Pepp und Variation vertragen können, die einen zu routinierten Spielablauf verhindert hätten. Doch keine Angst: Das ist glücklicherweise Kritik auf sehr hohem Niveau!

Game Critics (8.5 out of 10)

Simply put, this game effectively captures the gameplay experience of being its main character better than any other comic-based title I have ever played, but surprisingly the character development side feels like a bit of a missed opportunity.

4Players.de (84 out of 100)

Es ist der Triumph eines Superhelden! Denn was Batman auf Arkham Asylum leistet, ist nicht nur ein weiteres Action-Abenteuer, das auch unter einem unbekannten Namen funktionieren könnte. Die Art und Weise, wie sich der Schwarze Rächer bewegt, wie er tüftelt und wie er seinen Feinden das Fürchten lehrt - das IST Batman! Schade aber, dass das Spiel nie über das rudimentäre Abspulen der immer gleichen Prinzipien hinauskommt. Kleine Variationen gestalten den Ausflug in die Irrenanstalt zwar abwechslungsreicher, aber nicht lebendiger. So sind es alleine die ausgezeichnet getroffenen Comic-Kulissen sowie die hervorragenden Charaktere, die dem Spiel seine Klasse verleihen - nicht zu vergessen die angenehm kniffligen Rätsel des Riddlers. Unter dem Strich, wo sich spätestens nach dem letzten Kampf einfach zu viele Minus-Zeichen angesammelt haben, steht deshalb in der Tat ein inhaltlich beinahe perfektes Batman-Spiel.

Games TM (8 out of 10)

Qualitative comparisons with games like Super Metroid and Half-Life seem as ill-founded now as they did when we first read them. Arkham Asylum certainly has the ambition, but it lacks the inspiration in everything but art direction to sit beside such timeless greats. However, with a CV that boasts little more than the underrated Urban Chaos: Riot Response, Rocksteady Studios has produced a game as ravishing as Uncharted: Drake's Fortune and as compelling as Dead Space, one that very nearly lives up to its own hype. And if it doesn't quite eclipse the effort of Naughty Dog and EA Redwood Shores, that's because it sacrifices their streamlined focus and drum-tight design to offer the player something more. Rocksteady piles its plate high, and while it's ultimately a case of reach exceeding grasp Arkham Asylum is still a wonderful ride.