Batman: Arkham City - review

Batman: Arkham City is the sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum, Rocksteady Games' 2009 Game Of The Year.

Arkham City picks up a few months after the events of Arkham Asylum. Quincy Sharp, the former warden of Arkham (now the Mayor of Gotham City) has set up a new inner-city prison, where inmates roam the streets freely. This walled off section of Gotham has been dubbed 'Arkham City'.

In the games opening, we see millionaire Bruce Wayne campaigning against the Arkham City initiative, before he is captured and imprisoned within its walls. Once he has been re-united with his Batsuit and trusty gadgets, Bruce sets off to find out what is going on.

Despite a more open feel, fans of Arkham Asyluum will feel very much at home in Arkham City. Developer Rocksteady have ensured that the game stays true to the series winning formula. 

Hand to hand combat plays a big part with the Dark Knight taking on as many as 20 enemies at a time. Much like its predecessor, the system for brawling is fairly straightforward, with one button to attack, one to counter and one to dodge. However, the variety of combos and counters make combat a joy to behold. So much so, that I often found myself going out of my way, just to pummel groups of enemies.

A crowd this size is no match for the Bat

Arkham City is a sprawling metropolis teeming with enemies, hidden areas and many secrets to uncover. Navigating the city by gliding and using the Batclaw is a lot of fun. You can swoop down on a group of unsuspecting enemies and then disappear back into the night before re-enforcements have time to react.

What's great about this game is that it truly makes you think and feel like Batman, the worlds greatest detective, with all the gadgets and techniques at your disposal. Whether it's tracing a bullets trajectory to sniff out a rogue sniper or using your wits to outsmart the Riddler in his deadly challenges.

Arkham City really stays true to the Batman universe with fantastic lore and back stories, as well as appearances from many of our favourite characters and villains, including some of the more obscure characters like The Mad Hatter, Scarface and Solomon Grundy.

Joker is uglier this time round but no less insane

My only complaint about the game is that, like many, my copy of the game arrived with the Catwoman DLC codes missing. However, after contacting Warner Bros games, they offered apologies and swiftly sent a new code via email.

That small gripe aside, Batman: Arkham City is a fantastic game with excellent characters and tremendous voice talent. Its graphics are very good, with great character models and animations. Most of all though, it offers a sinister and gritty realisation of Gotham City, in which you are the hero. A must have for comic geeks and action fans alike.

My Score: 9/10

Competition Time!

I have a code for the Catwoman DLC (Xbox Only) to give away. For a chance at winning leave a comment on this blog post saying who your favourite villain from Batman comics, films, games etc and why. Be sure to include your email so that I can mail you the code if you win.

Catwomans DLC adds a new perspective and new skills and gadgets

 I will announce a winner on Monday 7th November 2011.

Just Cause 2 - revisited

Probably time to open that parachute soon

It's been nearly two years since Just Cause 2 was released, yet it is one of those games that I find myself revisiting every couple of months.

Some games that we play do not have a 'wow-factor' that makes their appeal immediately apparent to the player. However, on many occasions, a seemingly dull game can pleasantly surprise you with a bit of perseverance. I tend to call these games 'growers' and for me, Just Cause 2 falls firmly in that category.

Just Cause 2 throws you into the role of mercenary 'Scorpio' and takes place in the fictional, South East Asian island of Panau. You are on a mission to find the whereabouts of your good friend and previous employer who has recently gone missing. You quickly befriend some of the local factions who are looking to overthrow the country's despotic leader 'Baby Panau' and take control. That's where you come in.

It's probably fair to say you've seen this story somewhere before, whether in a budget B movie, some low-grade jar-head literature or possibly even in another video game series. However, the real appeal of Just Cause 2 does not come from it's plotlines, nor its characters but from the massive sense of freedom it creates for the player. 

Following the first mission (which takes place in a small island fortress) the whole 1,000sq km island becomes your open-world playground. You can drive and pilot any vehicle and go anywhere you choose without restriction. Armed with a grappling hook, which can attach itself to any surface, means that Scorpio can literally scale any building or mountain that he encounters. Scorpio also has a parachute, which he can use from any height. Experimenting with combining both these tools really becomes a joy when you start to attach yourself to cars and boats whilst gliding behind them with a parachute.

In addition to this, you can use the grappling hook to link any two surfaces or objects. This is a little more complex but can have great results. For instance, you can attach a car to a helicopter, hop in the chopper and carry the car (and occupants) off to another location. You can also hook enemies with this tool meaning that you can pull them out of high sniping positions or simply hang them upside down from a tree in a macabre display of rag-doll physics.

Weapons come in variety, as well as abundance, and much like the previous game, Scorpio has the ability to call in weapon and vehicle drops from his employers.

The army don't take kindly to having their helicopters stolen

Some of the stunts that Scorpio can pull are far from realistic, such as surfing on top of a 747 as it glides through the sky and hijacking fast moving vehicles. However, the graphics are far from it, with impressive lighting effects, water rendering and highly detailed textures which make make every setting in 'Just Cause' positively stunning. Panau's varied landscape with its mix of dense jungles, ancient temples, deserts, snow topped mountains - adds to the games richness and beauty. 

Even after the main missions have been completed, there are countless side missions that can be undertaken as well as races, collectibles, easter-eggs and all the other features that we have grown accustomed to with open-world games.

This is a fantastic example of how a sandbox game should be and after 2 years I am still finding new things that I love about Panau.

If you have not played Just Cause 2, I strongly recommend it and you will likely be able to pick it up at fairly low price.

My Top Tip: Traveling can be made easier by mastering a technique called the 'Sling-Shot'. This involves using the grappling hook to keep you airborne whilst gliding with the parachute. It's done by grappling the ground in the distance whilst descending. This will cause you to be pulled forward at which point you need to grapple again. Practice makes perfect!

My Score:  8/10

Game Reviewed On: XBOX 360

L.A Noire - review

When peaceful negotiatons fail...

L.A Noire is a game that feels and looks more like a film from beginning to end. Rockstar's latest title sees you serving lady law by taking on the role of Cole Phelps, a war  hero who is adapting to life as a beat cop on the streets of Los Angeles.

You are assigned a partner and quickly introduced to the key elements of the job: investigating crime scenes, interviewing witnesses, interrogations, high speed car chases and shootouts. The former of these may sound a little boring but searching for clues and determining a liar with a false alibi, purely on the nuances of their facial expressions soon becomes deeply rewarding.

Once you have learned the ropes you will begin to ascend the ranks of the force starting off in Traffic, then Homicide, then Vice - each department having specific cases assigned to it. As well as this, you will also be investigating an ongoing subplot focusing on the subterfuge and corruption of L.A's politically elite.

Each department also has 10 (or so) 'Street Crimes' to complete. These are miniature cases that vary in difficulty and can be completed at any time during your career.

Many games in the past have given the illusion of a cinematic and engaging narrative in the past. So what is it that enables L.A Noire to triumph where others have failed? 

Some credit has to be given to the new MotionScan technology, which is used to create some of the most realistic facial features that we have seen to date. Top quaity voice acting also plays a vital role with Aaron Staton as Cole Phelps and the likes of Michael McGrady, Adam Harrington and Sean McGowan. Mainly though, it is the fiendish attention to detail and sense of style that Rockstar games like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption are famous for. 

First to blink buys the doughnuts!

What this game lacks in the multiplayer department, it more than makes up for with its engaging narrative and complex characters. The completionists among you will also find replayability through collectibles, exploration, revisiting old cases and a wealth of dlc.

With a varied and vibrant soundtrack coupled with a wonderful recreation of 1947 Los Angeles, Rockstar and Team Bondi have truly created a masterpiece here.  

My Top Tip: When interviewing a witness or suspect, pay close attention to the eyes. Those telling fibs will find it hard to look you in the eye. The eyes never lie.

My Score: 9/10

Game Reviewed On: XBOX 360