It took nearly 25 years, hundreds of developers, thousands of man hours, and millions of kids screaming at their TV for a good Batman game to be made. For the first time in gaming history we are finally able to play a Batman game where we actually feel like we ARE Batman. The developers at Rocksteady got it right, and I'd like to say thank you.
Sure, one could argue that there were a few Batman gems along the way. The first NES game for instance wasn't terrible, it in fact was actually quite good albeit way too hard. But from there, really, nothing notable, and nothing genuinely "Batman." The main problem with superhero games in general is comic book studios or movie studios look to give the rights to developers that have no interest in making a "good" game, but to make a semi-functional game to turn a quick buck.
Here we have a product that lets us do the following: Be a detective, sneak around and attack, use assorted Batman tools, follow a comprehensive comic book-esque plot line, fight known super villains (yeah from time to time they made Batman games where you fought shit that never existed in Batman's universe...so I count it), and finally were able to fight like a ninja.
Rocksteady not only put all of this into one game, they did all of it fairly well. I find some hiccups in the battle mechanics, but it's certainly not the worst I've ever played. It can be closest compared to Assassin's Creed where you have a counter option and an attack option except with Batman they also gave you evade, and combo mix-ups which helps. The main issue I had with the combat was more related to the camera than anything else which sometimes decides to swing the wrong way and I end up dodge rolling into Bane's fist, or whatever you get the idea. It happened enough to where I'd call it an issue.
Aside from that, Rocksteady has made the perfect Batman game. Some complaints running around the internet deal with the fact that the game doesn't offer enough boss fight variety. While I mildly agree with this complaint, I honestly didn't mind while playing. Every boss fight felt natural and part of the story, rather than a forced confrontation with, say Mr. Freeze or something. This game wasn't meant to be a showcase for Batman villains, it was a Joker story so Rocksteady stuck to its guns and I applaud that. There was only one moment where we should have been allowed to fight Harley...but didn't for some reason. That would have been a fun fight by the way, she's a nimble fighter, I would have been entertained.
The only other minor complaints I can even find for this game are in the music department, and Batman's gradual deterioration throughout the game. First, the music had moments of genius, and perfect placement occasionally. Why it has to disappear entirely for half the game is beyond me. It's rare I actually notice when a game is lacking music in places. Artistic choice, or laziness, I'm not sure. For Batman, he gets beat up and tossed around throughout the game, so his suit gets gradually beat up over the course of the game. My issue with this was only that it should have gotten MORE beat up! Seriously, it doesn't look ALL that bad by the end after what he gets put through. So just a pet peeve, love the idea but in practice it juuuuuuust wasn't enough, lol. Oh, and I should mention the voice actor for Jim Gorden was atrocious! Where's the one from Batman the Animated series? They got damn near everyone else, why not him? He really stuck out like a sore thumb in the midst of gods like Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill.
So, if you're like me and have been craving a good Batman game since your childhood, and Batman Forever was the last Batman game you ever played (me) then do yourself a favor and buy this game! Support good development if you can. If your question is "Well is it worth the $60?" I say yes, even though I literally did everything the main story had to offer in one day from 8:00am to 1:00am yesterday, I'd do it all again in a heartbeat. Plus I haven't touched the challenge rooms yet. I would argue this is easily not just the best Batman game ever made, but the best Superhero game ever made and hopefully this becomes a trend.
*I think I still hear Joker over the PA...something is wrong...*
