June 20th, 2009

Batman and Joker “equipped” differently

With the new release on PS3-exclusive, Batman: Arkham Asylum, the character known as Joker is rated to be one of the most challenging characters of the late games issued. Is also the game itself that becomes more exciting with every time you see it! The rocksteady Studios developers said that there are at least a couple of other major characters yet to be announced. Joker, the character that has been revealed, has eight challenge-room levels to load. Guy Cocker, from GameSpot UK, had the chance to pass through these levels playing the Clown Prince of Crime character, a different proposal to the Dark Knight himself.

Joker is a different type of character compared to Batman, he doesn’t have a body armor, nor any arsenal of gadgets, but he lacks in strength and tech, by making up for with anarchic destruction. He is able to remote-control and detonate dynamite, he moves around with stealthy kills, or sprays toxic gas in the enemies’ face. The Invisible Predator mode displays as a completely different experience when performed as Batman or the Joker. This mode consists of a set of unlockable levels that can be opened up by gathering items in the main game with the purpose to take out all the enemies. In order to hide from his enemies, Joker has to pass through interconnected vents and drains and might as well get shot, being so armorlessed.

But his “nakedness” is compensated by the X-ray vision that enables him to see through walls, and he is provided, finally, with a one-bullet gun that blows everything off. It follows a series of challenges, with risky situations, but not so hard to beat, since the chattering teeth are at handy to take out unwanted characters. The time for these fights can be easily improved with every new trial, so in time, the score boards will display on line some good times of the players.

The Game Spot UK’s reporter also asked about the exclusivity of the game on PS3: would it be Sony to take its rights on the market or Xbox 360 through a downloadable content? But the answer came back bluntly: “All we have announced so far is that it is exclusive to PS3”. The reporter was very impressed with his first play of the new Invisible Predator rooms, and Rochsteady Studio has really strived to deliver what they have promised: to create Batman and the Joker as two distinctive characters.

The level that Guy Cocker played was the easiest of the existing levels, but there will be a ramp up of the later rooms adding more difficulty coming from more enemies and fewer hiding spots. The reporter’s conclusion was, that even if Batman and Joker “equipped” differently in: Arkham Asylum Invisible Predator gives a faster access to the aimed points, the Studio still have some other aces in the sleeve to reveal to the gamers.