Batman: Arkham Asylum

The Game Hoard (7 out of 7)

From the smallest of fights to the confrontations with supercriminals, from simply crossing the asylum grounds to dealing with deadly traps, Batman: Arkham Asylum provides a variety of satisfying and exciting ways to engage with it that make for a more robust adventure than simple superheroics. While a few boss battles aren’t as exciting, the build up the characters receive and more creative encounters more than make up for it while basic baddies are handled with a smooth battle system that doesn’t demand too much attention but rewards rhythm and reactiveness. The asylum is made compelling to explore with its references to other Batman works, the many forms Riddler’s challenges take, and your expanding ability to navigate the area, and when you need to hide from your enemies you are also given the tools to be a silent predator against opposition that actually tries to counter your efforts over time.

Edutaining Kids (A+)

For fans of the Batman franchise, there is plenty of attention to story and character, though those unfamiliar with Batman will be equally entertained. With such fast-paced stealth play and action-packed adventure, Batman: Arkham Asylum is sure to become your favorite addiction.

newbreview.com (5 out of 5)

The only real downside to Arkham Asylum is that some of the boss fights are a bit repetitive with the final boss in particular being the most guilty of this. Some might say that the lack of multiplayer is downside, however I am of the opinion that having a superb single player is far better without having some generic multiplayer mode tacked on. Arkham Asylum certainly delivers a fantastic looking, smooth handling, well written single player experience.

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.

GameSpy ( )

In fact, Rocksteady just needs to rename itself Batman Studios and hire Paul Dini to write annual sequels. The lackluster combat isn't enough for me to slag an otherwise stellar game; the fact that I'm still glued to my TV, trying my hardest to achieve 100 percent completion (something I reserve for only my very favorite stuff), should tell you that I got over that little pockmark pretty fast. 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.

Xboxygen ( )

Batman Arkham Asylum n’est pas un simple jeu tiré d’une licence. Il colle, à la fois, une déculottée aux jeux à licence en plaçant la qualité à un niveau plus que supérieur mais en plus, il dépouille sans problème beaucoup de titres d’action, d’aventure ou d’infiltration. C’est l’exemple parfait du jeu fait par des passionnés de leur sujet et de jeu vidéo. Le jeu propose un gameplay tellement simple et intelligent, ainsi qu’une immersion tellement enivrante, que vous ne dirigez pas Batman, vous devenez réellement Batman ! Et même si vous êtes profane de l’univers, tenter l’aventure est extrêmement conseillé. Vous n’accrocherez peut-être pas autant qu’un Bat-Fan, mais vous kifferez, sur un fichtrement très bon jeu, tous les points qui proposent en plus d’un challenge correct une diversité plus qu’honorable pour un jeu de ce genre. Le genre de jeu que l’on aimerait voir plus souvent envahir les rayons des boutiques.

Giant Bomb ( )

But Batman: Arkham Asylum's minor issues only serve to remind you how strong the rest of the game is. Its different elements mesh together in a way that keeps it feeling fresh over the course of the game, and the story moves in such a way that even players who aren't big Batman fans will come away satisfied.

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.

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.

Peliplaneetta.net (96 out of 100)

Tämä on takuulla yksi vuoden parhaista peleistä, ja jos DC:llä ymmärretään yhtään mistään mitään, kakkososa on jo työn alla. En malta odottaa: en ehkä halua mitään niin paljon kuin olla Batman - juuri tämä Batman - Gotham Cityssä pelkän Arkhamin sijasta.

games xtreme (9.5 out of 10)

Batman: Arkham Asylum is awesome. If you want more...well...this is /the/ comic book game we've all been waiting for and the Batman game that the Dark Knight has well and truly deserved for such a long time.

Game Arena (9.5 out of 10)

Batman: Arkham Asylum is the best translation of comic book to video game around. It combines the best features of any superhero series with fantastic graphics, solid gameplay and outstanding voice acting. The minor flaws - the easy gameplay, the initially confusing layout of Arkham and the occasional loading time hitch - are all negated a dozen times over by the game's character, atmosphere and attention to detail. This is the type of game which will make the Christian Bale Batman fans sit up and take notice of the massive universe the character belongs to - even the most hardcore Marvel fan would be remiss to skip this game.

SOS Gamers (95 out of 100)

Lo han dicho por ahí y no es por seguir la corriente, pero tienen razón: Batman Arkham Asylum es un excelente juego de superhéroes. Se ha creado alrededor de la figura de Batman y de sus enemigos una gran historia y un desarrollo jugable tan ameno como adictivo. El perfecto equilibrio entre combate, sigilo y exploración da como resultado un producto que gustará a todo tipo de jugadores.

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)

Ich bin restlos begeistert, falls das nicht schon klar sein sollte. Spass pur, alles in perfekter Atmosphäre! Ich bin gespannt wie ein Flitzebogen auf die Fortsetzung oder eben auf zusätzliche, herunterladbare Inhalte. Von Anfang bis Ende ein absolutes Erlebnis und ein definitives Must-Have für alle Fans von Superhelden oder gut gemachten Schleich-Klopp-Spielen. Man nehme einen Teil Deus Ex, einen Teil Bioshock, einen Teil Tomb Raider und basiere es lose auf dem Spielprinzip von Metroid Prime, um es dann im Batman-Universum anzusiedeln, fertig ist einer der Anwärter für das Spiel des Jahres, vielleicht sogar für das beste Spiel dieser Konsolengeneration. Bedenkt dabei, dass ich euch die besten Stellen im Spiel noch nicht einmal angedeutet habe - diese haben es nämlich in sich und werden jeden Batman-Fan in Entzücken versetzen!

AusGamers (9.5 out of 10)

I can't stress enough just how compelling the entire experience is and I've shied from revealing too much on the story front, or anything relating to Arkham Island exploration and beyond. Just know that from this point on, licensed games should be changed forever, and if Rocksteady remain at the helm of this new Batman videogame series, I'll continue to spend hours and hours becoming the Dark Knight.

Play.tm (94 out of 100)

It is to games what Batman Begins and The Dark Knight are to movies - Batman: Arkham Asylum is without doubt the most definitive videogame realisation of the character yet. It's also unreservedly brilliant to boot.

XboxAchievements (93 out of 100)

This is certainly not a game for just Batman fans, comic fans or action fans; this is a game that everyone should play and thoroughly enjoy. It looks beautiful, plays like a dream and has a superb mix of action, stealth and detective elements. The combat is intuitive, flexible and surprisingly deep too. Give this game a go and you will not be pleasantly surprise, you will be blown away. As someone that plays and sees a fair few average games, it made a nice change to have a title that I could not wait to have another go at.

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 feels 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.

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.

The Video Game Critic (A-)

The game has a knack for taking a perfectly good concept (like using vents to infiltrate locked rooms) and thoroughly beating it to death! If it were shorter and tighter, I think the game would feel more cohesive and satisfying. Even so, Batman Arkham Asylum is a work of art that will far exceed most gamers' expectations.

Eurogamer.net (UK) (9 out of 10)

However, most of the gameplay concerns are minor when taken in the context of how much Arkham Asylum gets so gloriously right. Rarely does a game do a character justice in such a satisfying way. Arkham Asylum finds room for every major aspect of Batman's enduring appeal, and it does so in a game compelling enough to work even without its masked star. Fans of the caped crusader really shouldn't hesitate - this isn't just the best grown-up Batman game, it's the best superhero game, bar none.

Gamestyle (9 out of 10)

Everything has been crafted with love, and some proper hard graft has gone in to it. Simply put, you have to play Batman: Arkham Asylum to be reminded why you love games in the first place.

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.

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.

Fragland.net (90 out of 100)

Batman: Arkham Asylum is without a doubt one of the best superhero games ever, and an absolute must for those looking for an atmospheric action game with high production values. If only all license games were this good!

That Gaming Site (9 out of 10)

A fantastically fun game for fans of Batman and of the genre, a must play this year.

XboxFrance (9 out of 10)

Batman Arkham Asylum est tout simplement le meilleur jeu inspiré de l'univers du comics qui n'ait jamais été développé à ce jour. On y découvre notre héros d'un point de vue plus adulte, dans une aventure que l'on vivra avec plaisir. Tout cela grâce à une ambiance unique, un gameplay très efficace et une crédibilité qu'il est rare d'observer dans un jeu vidéo. Au final, on recommandera Batman Arkham Asylum à tout fan du héros de la BD et par extension à tout amateur de jeu d'action. Une chose est sûre, passer à côté serait réellement dommage…

360 LIVE (9 out of 10)

Weil eben auch die Kleinigkeiten stimmen, etwa die Kameraführung. Nur ganz selten schieben sich Teile der Kulisse zwischen Held und Kamera und das auch nur, wenn Finishing-Moves per Zeitlupe aufbereitet werden. Solche Nahaufnahmen der Figuren lösen Staunen aus. Mitreißende Mimik, plastische Haut, fasrige Haare - erstaunlich! Und diese Augen. Das sind keine toten Murmeln! Die hier drücken Hass, Begehren oder Schmerz aus, und sie funkeln gelegentlich vor Begeisterung. Ähnliches könnte beim Besitzer dieses Spiels zu beobachten sein, wenn er sich nach 20 Stunden dem Finale nähert. Muss gar kein Comic-Fan sein. »Arkham Asylum« bereitet jedem Vergnügen, der intelligente Action-Unterhaltung zu schätzen weiß.

Blend Games ( )

While there were definitely missed opportunities with the boss battles and investigative aspects of Arkham, it's hard not to appreciate the polished, innovative package that Rocksteady has delivered gamers. There's still four months to go in 2009 and there's going to be plenty of big games during that time so this might seem like a hollow statement but I'll say it anyway: this is the front-runner for Game of the Year. Even if you hate Batman, you'll still find reasons to like Arkham.

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.

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.

Ani-Gamers (3.5 out of 4)

All in all, Batman: Arkham Asylum is an immersive experience made by all the right people for a fanbase that’s uber-picky when it comes to their hero. Seeing as it is already worshipped by critics and inhabits a place in the Guinness Book of World Records, I would be an idiot to disagree. Story, rendering, control, and acting come together to make this a 3.5-star victory, with slightly lacking replay value being the only thing detracting from a perfect score.

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!

Games Finder (8.5 out of 10)

Another core part of the gameplay is your detective vision which helps to highlight important information and objects that can be interacted with.

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!

Good Game (8.5 out of 10)

it has got plenty style and so much polish -like how you never really fall to your doom, and how bats opens vents more quietly if enemies are about...and how the auto aim always knows what you're trying to grapple or attack. It takes a while to kick into gear, and become challenging so we recommend playing on hard right of the bat. Hehe.. the batman fanboy in me wants to give this a 9.. but the gamer in me is going to give it 8.5 it’s really good, but it wasn’t brilliant.

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.

Gamegravy (8.5 out of 10)

I’m extremely satisfied with how this game was put together, especially how real the characters seemed compared to the DC comics. Some of the riddles were a little frustrating and will take longer than players will want to spend on them. The challenge maps were fun to play through trying to make the online leaderboards. For the people that enjoy the challenge maps, they have lots of DLC (Downloadable Content) with new maps to keep the challenges coming. The replay value is definitely there with the challenge maps and over 200 riddles and collectibles to find in the story mode. This game succeeds where many super hero games fail.

GamesCollection (8.5 out of 10)

Se amate Batman, alzate il voto di mezzo punto. Questo è il gioco che cercavate. Se lo odiate, comincerete ad amarlo giocandoci. BAA risulta essere un grande gioco sotto tutti i punti di vista. Un vero tributo ad un'icona che vive con noi da 70 anni. Bob Kane, ne sarebbe molto soddisfatto!

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.

Game Shark (B+)

With a game as great as Batman: Arkham Asylum it’s hard not to nitpick at its issues, no matter how small they are. I didn’t like spending most of the game in detective vision. I despise the lack of creativity in the boss fights and enemy variety. In the face of the rest of the game, it’s hard to care too much. It’s expertly tuned to keep you engaged in the fascinatingly dark world, and gives a real, true sense of what it might be like to be Batman – a dream I’ve been dreamin’ since I was six years old.