Batman: Arkham Asylum PC Review

From the demo alone it seems worth it, cannot wait to pick up my copy on Friday. Ok no physic enhancements for me unless I pick up a standalone card, but meh. The demo is fun, the game looks fun and I'm a huge fan of Batman.

€35 well spent in my opinion.

I too cant wait to get my copy of the game on friday, shame i will be away this weekend:(
I played the PC demo with everything maxed and Physx set to high and it really does look and play better then those console versions.
I will also be able to try the Stereoscopic 3D with the tryout glasses that were bundled with the the Nvidia GFX card pack.

I loved clocking the game on my m8's X-Box. Your review of it was delightfully thorough. I'm looking forward to playing it on my PC when I get a hold of it :D

pre-ordered on Steam - can't wait to get stuck in!

Although perhaps it was best some of the villains didn't make it in...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9gTN_adJXw

it's going to be fantastic.

im interested that the article said a single card is able to handle PhysX at high, what card did you use? my gtx260-216 struggled a bit in the final large room of the demo.

280GTX - there were a few tiny chugs at some points, but it was bearable and probably because the code we were using wasn't entirely final yet.

If you're worried about it, it's fairly easy to pick up a second Nvidia card on the cheap as a PPU.

Originally Posted by Baz
pre-ordered on Steam - can't wait to get stuck in!

Although perhaps it was best some of the villains didn't make it in...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9gTN_adJXw

Haha that vid was great ! never seen robot chicken before - will probably buy the dvd when i go and get Batman.

usch, the review makes me want to get the game, but I'm running an OC'd 9800gtx and have no plans on upgrading until next year. Or at least 4qtr this year. Looks like I'll be on MED settings?

Good review guys, going to get it when i get paid.

Quick question, given my old (god it is old isn't it) 8800gts (320mb) what would i need to do to get the funky physics. I really don't have the cash to upgrade but i'm curious.

Best thing to do is try it, it doesn't seem that hard on a system, my old system has no issues with playback here, seemed to run fine on the 8800GTSLI at 1080p I do have the Physx P100 though.

If you have doubts for performance before you buy then you could try the demo, that has the fancy PhysX shizzle too.

Yeah i played the demo, with the physics on anything but off it crashed to desktop. My girl is getting quite old.

I'm starting to feel the need for a graphics update too - I've skirted the issue by going from a big CRT that did 1920*1440 to a crappy LCD that only does 1680*1050... Even so I noticed pretty poor performance in HL2:Ep2 with decent amounts of AA and AF.

Game of the year so far for me. Interesting you mention the Chronicles of Riddick, because I thought this was one element missing from the stealth game-play - the lack of being able to use the darkness Riddick style - after all, isn’t that what Batman’s all about? Hiding in the shadows.

Also, just like to ask the reviewer what he thought of the boss battles? To me this is the games biggest flaw. After you’ve faced Bane you better get use to it, because quite a few of the reming boss battles follow the same pattern. Then there’s the duel boss battles involving the Joker, which certainly tread a thin line between the adrenaline fueled addiction of - I’m going to beat you even if it takes me until 3 in the morning, chuck a sickie from work the next day mentality, to, - I’m going to throw this f...ing controller through the f...ing window in a minute frustration, when the goon with the gun puts payed to your efforts one grapple away from the Jokers demise.

Anyway, hugely ambitious sequel please Rocksteady, with GTA like Gotham city to play around in. Imagine the fun, thrashing the Bat-mobile through the streets or taking to the sky in the Bat-wing; unlikely of course, but I can dream never the less.

Think I'll give the demo a shot first - not sure how my 9600 would handle the whizzy PhysX stuff!

Love this game on the 360, unfortunately it is a bit short, but the combat challenges do add a bit of length to the game.

When i first heard about the demo i thought it was going to be rubbish, i mean c'mon Batman. But i was very surprised that it was really good and i preordered the game. Good job Rocksteady.

Props for an honest opinion. I would buy this, but I'm still a bit short on the cash.

Thanks, been waiting for this review. Just ordered off Amazon!

3rd person on the Pc......just doesnt seem right, far to much of a 'console' design perspective.

My rule of thumb for games purchases is First Person: PC, Third Person: Console.

My mate has it on PS3 and loves it, pretty much cos he loves Batman, doesn't really float my boat, I found it pretty crappy really. Yeah it has a lot of cool features and such but reminded me of Assassins Creed, X+X+X+X+X=WIN!!! With that said I really enjoyed Assassins Creed, this just doesn't do it for me.

According to my local gamestop it's been pushed back to the 28th for release. I'm very much in a "WTF?" moment.

Yesssss!

I'm glad it's not a disappointment, I'll definitely add this one to my collection.

Demo was top notch, looking forward to my copy landing on the doorstep tomorrow.

Got it on Xbox, buying it again for PC. Love the game to bits.

Was a bit disappointed that the scarecrow levels weren't mentioned, especially the third one, because they are *quite* impressive IMO.

Either way, great review :)