Batman: Arkham Asylum is the first game in the series. Most people would consider it as a hiatus for the superhero genre.
It cemented the open-world, action-adventure formula, follow-up games like Marvel’s Spider-Man use. Moreover, the series delivers a fluid, smooth, and brutal combat gameplay system.
You play as Batman, and the setting is the fictional Gotham City.
Batman has multiple tools and gadgets to defeat enemies, solve riddles, or complete challenges. More importantly, he fights through a proprietary system,FreeFlow. It allows the character to chain unlimited combos and gadgets seamlessly.
The main titles offer acharacter progression systemas well. Batman gains experience, levels up, and develops skills, gears, and gadgets.
Lastly, there’re otherplayable characters aside from Batman, like Robin, Nightwing, or Catwoman. Some villains are also playable during some game portions, or DLCs, likeDeathstroke and The Joker.
That’s the core experience of the series, albeit every game presents new mechanics. Yet, some of the spinoffs are vastly different.
Batman: Arkham Asylum – 2009
Rocksteady Studios created the first game in the series. Itdebuted for Xbox 360, PS3, Windows, and macOS in 2009. It’s arguably one of thebest action-adventure games in history.
You play as Batman, trying to stop The Joker from destroying Gotham City with a terrorist attack. The vigilante pursues the villain towards the Arkham Asylum. Within the asylum, the Joker unleashes an unstable medicine that turns the locals into dangerous lunatics.
The game runs with an over-the-shoulder perspective through the Unreal Engine. Batman can jump, run, climb, crouch, and fight. He can also dive with his cape and use a pistol hook to travel across roofs.
Aside from exploration, the game places a heavy focus on combat and puzzle-solving. Particularly, the game includes a “Detective Mode” that allows players to find clues, enemies, and valuable objects. Combat has stealth, melee attacks, combos, gadgets, and acrobatics.
Lastly, the game has aMetroidvania design. That means the map is fully open, but you need to unlock certain abilities or tools to reach certain places.
There’re multiple DLCs available for Arkham Asylum. Most bring challenge maps, which are unique areas that offer a reward in return for a tough task.
The GoTY edition has four extra Challenge Maps:Crime Alley, Scarecrow Nightmare, Totally Insane, and Nocturnal Hunter. On top of that, it’s a remastered edition.
