Batman: Arkham Asylum
Dark yet thrilling action game based on the Caped Crusader.
Parents say
Based on 48 reviews
Kids say
Based on 192 reviews
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Batman: Arkham Asylum
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that this action/adventure game depicts a dark tale based on the DC Comics superhero Batman. Players engage in combat with a variety of supervillains and common inmates. Batman uses his hands and feet for most attacks, but will occcassionly use an enemy's own weapon against him. The game also features mild language and female villains wearing very little clothing.
Community Reviews
Must play Batman classic is surprisingly dark
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A Classic Thriller
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What’s It About?
In BATMAN: ARKHAM ASYLUM, the Caped Crusader transports his nemesis, The Joker, to Arkham Asylum, a psychiatric hospital in Gotham City. However, Joker's detainment was part of a grand scheme to unite Gotham's worst criminals, including Bane, Poison Ivy, and Scarecrow, to take over Arkham. Batman must delve into the depths of the hospital to restore order and stop the Joker.
Is It Any Good?
Arkham Asylum is perhaps the best game representation of the comic book character. While most games prefer to focus on Batman as a fighter, this game examines the complete persona of the character. Players will see his sharp detective skills, his love of gadgets, and how he remains haunted by the deaths of his parents in an armed robbery.
During any point, players can enter Detective Mode to search for clues, spot hidden enemies, or find weak spots in the environment with which to take advantage. Batman's typical arsenal of gadgets sits at his disposal, including Batarangs, explosive gel, and the Batclaw. Combat feels very simple, yet can become complex when attacks are chained together properly. However, stealth play is where Batman shines. Players can use strategy and the shadows to assess a situation and plan the best method of attack. Developers extend the adventure through Challenge Rooms, a series of combat and stealth tests. Scores and times are later posted on online leaderboards. Arkham Asylum is a must-have for Batman fans, and a game most action fans will enjoy.
Online interaction: Online is limited to leaderboards that players can visit to view their scores and times in the Challenge Rooms.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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Game Details
- Platforms: PlayStation 3, Windows, Xbox 360
- Available online?: Available online
- Publisher: Eidos Interactive
- Release date: August 25, 2009
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Superheroes
- ESRB rating: T for Alcohol and Tobacco Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence
- Last updated: August 31, 2016
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LEGO Batman: The Videogame
A fun -- albeit predictable -- cartoon adventure.
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