Top positive review
5.0 out of 5 starsThis is how it ended. This is how the Batman...
Reviewed in the United States on October 24, 2015
Disclaimer: This review MIGHT contain spoilers of the game, I'll try to avoid them as best as I can to not ruin the game story for whoever reads this.
Sadly, this is the last chapter of the Arkham saga by Rocksteady. (which excludes Arkham Origins)
And pretty much like the Dark Knight Trilogy from Christopher Nolan, the Arkham saga leaves the fans craving for even more, even though Arkham Knight, in my opinion, was a bit worse than Arkham City when it comes to the overall game experience.
I won't write a wall of text on this review, instead, I'll go with topics because I'm also reviewing the Collector's Edition too.
THE GAME:
Pros:
*The Batmobile: They overused the Batmobile in this game, maybe because it'll be the first AND LAST Arkham game to have it. So, either be happy that your gliding days are over, or cry because there will be parts of the game where you'd rather be able to use the Batmobile instead of going there by yourself to beat up a myriad of thugs while you escape the shield bashing, stun sticks and the eventual turret or drone aiming at you.
*Improved graphics brought by next-gen consoles.
*The new Batsuit: On the PS4 the new Batsuit looks GORGEOUS. Do note, however, that the Batsuit will not look perfect throughout the game. By the end of the game you're going to wish they let you change back to the older model, however, this new Batsuit allows you to do so many new things (that will be added below) that even if you were given this choice, you wouldn't go back to the older one. On your second playthrough (to get the platinum or remaining achievements you WILL need to play New Game +) you can get a version of the suit that does not show damage, ever. You can also use your DLC suits too, and change whenever you want.
*Gadgets have been enhanced on this game, and with the new suit, the Batmobile can launch Batman as if he were a rocket into the air, with the improved grappler, and the "railgun-like Batman eject seat" from the Batmobile, you can glide as fast as ever, sometimes it's even faster than actually driving the rocket-powered Batmobile.
*LOTS of bosses: As always, you can choose who you're going after by solving lots of cases. On your first playthrough, you might want to take them all. First because it'll be easier. Second because the XP system is basically gone, and you get way more upgrade points for your gadgets/batmobile doing these missions than beating up thugs on the streets (which generally won't give you any XP at all, just a health recharge.)
*Original story. I gotta say I'm impressed with Rocksteady for making this game WITHOUT the Joker as the main villain. I just don't agree with who they chose to be the main villain: Scarecrow. I, for one, would rather have the Arkham Knight instead of Scarecrow as the main villain. You might agree with me if you already played the game.
*LOTS LOTS LOTS of plot twists, and some interesting choices to make down the road.
*A big city to explore. Although the game will force you to stay focused on only one part of it for a while. After the boring missions, you're free to roam. However, this is an Arkham game, so all the doors are likely to be closed when you find them for the 1st time.
*Riddles everywhere!
*FEAR Takedowns. If you love bullet-time effects, one-hit takedowns, scared thugs screaming before being knocked out, and an elaborate strategy to group at least 2 guys near one another and on a specific position (usually near the grate you're under, on the other side of a breakable wall or right beneath you when you're on the ceiling) so you can take them down fast, then this is for you.
*Catwoman looks cute, so does Barbara, Harley... (I HAD to add that. Especially for Catwoman. Rawr!)
Cons:
*The game will get old after a while. The good part of the story/game are the Arkham Knight, Scarecrow, and an old friend who pays a visit to Batman every now and then. Other than that, it gets old because you're either on a tank battle with your Batmobile, or you're beating more thugs than the entire Expendables crew could ever fight against (except Chuck Norris, as we all know he can banish evil from the universe with a roundhouse kick)
*There are basically no boss fights in this game. All you do is beat up a bunch of thugs, then beat SOME of the bosses a little, until the fight is over.
*Some AR Challenges are a pain to complete, just because the game wants you to become a god on certain activities. For example, there's an AR challenge where you can't be hit, and the screen is full of ninjas. I get it, it's supposed to be hard, but some are just frustrating.
*Knightmare (the New Game+) difficulty is REALLY difficult when you begin the game. You take double/triple damage, deals half or less damage, and the best feature: You don't get the "cue" of when the enemy will strike or shoot so you can counter/evade, so expect to die. A LOT. Especially on boss battles.
*Unlike Arkham City, there will be a lot of characters around, like Robin, Catwoman and Nightwing. But unlike Arkham City, you cannot play with any of them.
*The ending is lame. I won't spoil it, but you're probably going to hate it too.
*Batwing was inserted on the game, but you can't fly it.
*I wish some parts of the game (with the old friend I mentioned above to prevent spoilers) were different. If I could, I'd make it differently, but Rocksteady can't please everybody, so I have to accept what they did.
That's it for the game. Now for the CE:
Pros:
*Packaging is great, nothing got damaged during transportation and that in itself is great.
*The artbook is simply beautiful, detailed.
*The Steelbook could have been better, but I liked it too.
*The game disc does NOT come on the Steelbook, it comes in a separate pseudo-retail package (pseudo- because it does not have an UPC code on it. Also the slipcover does not feature the "PlayStation Exclusive Scarecrow Missions", so you get a "clean" slipcover on the disc.). Do note that ALL the DLC comes in the retail disc, not on the Steelbook.
*The statue is good. Not with the quality or the level of detail I expected, but it will please Batman fans. It also lights up, batteries are included.
Cons:
*The statue feels more "rubbery" than plastic, acrylic, or resin. This might be good for some people, but I fear that it might get deformed with heat.
