As a long-time fan of Batman and the Arkham series, I can confidently say that “Batman: Arkham Shadow” is a game that has truly captured my heart (and my Batsuit). The blend of detective work, combat sequences, and the immersive VR experience transported me straight into Gotham City.
Batman: Arkham Shadow is exceptionally impressive across all aspects. Initially, I approached the latest Batman: Arkham game with some reservations, shared by many others. However, developer Camouflaj has masterfully integrated key components of the Arkham series into a VR setting without missing a single step. The end result isn’t just a game that fulfilled my long-standing wish for a new Batman: Arkham title, but it showcases one of the finest demonstrations of how virtual reality can breathe new life into familiar gaming experiences.
Following the occurrences depicted in “Batman: Arkham Origins”, the game “Arkham Shadow” delves into an earlier phase of the Dark Knight’s life, before he had encountered many of his future adversaries. Camouflaj skillfully exploits this point in the “Arkhamverse” timeline to further develop the portrayal of Bruce Wayne that is more comprehensive than any other game in the series. Consequently, this interpretation of Batman starts to establish a distinct persona that sets it apart from the depictions seen on television, film, and comics. Simultaneously, it sheds new light on certain events from “Arkham Asylum”, “Arkham City”, and “Arkham Knight” without altering or conflicting with what was previously shown in those games.
One surprising aspect of the game “Batman: Arkham Shadow” was its engrossing storyline. Given my expectations, I assumed it would lean heavily on its unique virtual reality mechanics and controls. However, “Arkham Shadow” offers a richer narrative than many other Arkham games, with unexpected twists and turns that kept me hooked. In particular, Batman’s chase for the Rat King was an intriguing plotline that truly caught me off guard.
In terms of theme, Arkham Shadow offers numerous intriguing concepts regarding Batman’s position within Gotham City that have been unexplored in prior Arkham games, and seldom seen in other Batman media as well. Although the exploration of Batman’s role isn’t the main focus of Arkham Shadow, it significantly enriches its storytelling and served as a significant hook for me.
In terms of gameplay, Batman: Arkham Shadow is an authentic Arkham-style game through and through. The signature hand-to-hand combat from the franchise is prominently featured in Arkham Shadow, where you’re the one delivering the punches and creating lengthy combos to defeat thugs. What truly stands out about the combat in Arkham Shadow is how seamless it feels. Moving swiftly across a room to strike enemies with a series of rapid-fire punches never grew tedious during my playtime with Arkham Shadow. On the contrary, combat becomes even more engaging as you progress and unlock additional gadgets and special moves that add variety to the action. It’s no secret that the Arkham series is renowned for its exceptional combat, and that reputation holds true in Arkham Shadow as well.
In the VR adaptation of Batman: Arkham Shadow, I find that the Predator sequences don’t seem to transition as smoothly as in the original games. These parts where Batman stealthily tackles armed enemies operate similarly to the mainline series, involving a lot of grappling between gargoyles before confronting the bad guys. The surprise attacks on unsuspecting foes remain enjoyable, especially when you leap off a gargoyle and hang someone from it. However, the limited VR viewpoint makes it harder to monitor your surroundings and quickly identify enemy positions. This becomes more irritating during the tougher Predator sequences later in the game. Although not terrible, the Predator mode can be a bit more chaotic than strategic at times, which isn’t quite what I prefer.
In Arkham Shadow, Batman’s detective skills take center stage once more. Solving mysteries with Detective Vision is particularly gratifying in Arkham Shadow because you directly interact with many objects essential for solving certain riddles. The puzzles found within Arkham Shadow are pitched just right, requiring enough critical thinking without being overly complex.
From a visual perspective, I firmly agree that “Batman: Arkham Shadow” stands out as one of the finest-looking VR games I’ve encountered. The graphics align nicely with those from the earlier Arkham series, giving the entire collection a more cohesive appearance. However, there have been certain technological concessions, particularly in character animations. For instance, characters rarely display lip movement during dialogue, which can slightly detract from the immersive experience. Occasionally, I also experienced performance dips, but these were far from persistent.
Regarding its design, Batman: Arkham Shadow shares many similarities with Arkham Asylum, creating a more personal gaming experience for the player. The format suits the strengths of Arkham Shadow’s VR capabilities and prevents the game’s world from feeling too overwhelming. Following the style of classic Metroidvania games, exploring different areas of Arkham Shadow’s world is enjoyable as you return to solve puzzles or gain access to previously inaccessible sections. The game is packed with collectibles, and I’ve found the hunt for them quite engaging.
Beyond the main storyline segments in Arkham Shadow, there are extra tasks I frequently revisit. These tasks mirror those from the fundamental Arkham gameplay and revolve around either fighting or Predator scenarios. I’ve always enjoyed this aspect of the Arkham series, as I strive to surpass my earlier scores. The fact that these challenges exist in Arkham Shadow guarantees that I’ll continue playing it, even after completing its narrative.
If you have been longing for another Batman game in the wake of Batman: Arkham Knight releasing almost ten years ago, I really cannot recommend Arkham Shadow enough. While it requires a bit of a heavier investment as it’s only available on Meta Quest 3, I struggle to believe that any Batman fan will be disappointed by what Camouflaj has done with Arkham Shadow. It’s not only one of the best VR games that I’ve ever played, but it’s a Batman experience that very much earns its place amongst the Arkham games that have come before. If VR ends up being the predominant medium in which Batman: Arkham titles are released in the future, you won’t find me complaining.
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Right now, you can get your hands on ‘Batman: Arkham Shadow’ exclusively through Meta Quest 3. I received a free copy of the game from the publisher to write this review.
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2024-11-06 00:39