Batman: Arkham City

[chaos]

I guess Arkham Asylum isn't But Arkham City definitely is.
Well, actually you can't even say this year as barely any game was released yet.

[danielrh]

My Game of the year for 2011.

Batman straight out the box was awesome, simply awesome great gameplay, great storyline, great graphics and a game straight out the box with no bugs or glaring glitches, and this game justified me buy a very big HD TV.

this game didn't need patches to sort out problems, like other games I could mention - this game is class from start to finish.

[moeom]

Just got myself Batman and about to start the game.

[Thommohawk]

Were it not for Uncharted 3 and my fanboy-ism of that franchise (best franchise on current gen imo) then Batman Arkham City would have definitely been my 2011 game of the year pick. It's very close as it is between that and Uncharted 3 but yeah Arkham City is awesome and proof that bug-free games are possible as are better in every way sequels. I don't know how big a company Rocksteady are or were, but they're well on their way to becoming the next R*.

[moeom]

Playing this game made me understand what all the rave was all about. Man am i having so much fun and im still early in the game. I also got a free voucher for the Catwoman add-on, so it will be some time until i get this game done.

On top of that, i got Uncharted 2 and 3 waiting for me. They are still in their plastic wrap waiting to be ripped off the cover. But i still have some time until Batman is done, and while on the game, im still searching for Uncharted 1 so i can play all 3 games.

[Thommohawk]

Playing this game made me understand what all the rave was all about. Man am i having so much fun and im still early in the game. I also got a free voucher for the Catwoman add-on, so it will be some time until i get this game done.

On top of that, i got Uncharted 2 and 3 waiting for me. They are still in their plastic wrap waiting to be ripped off the cover. But i still have some time until Batman is done, and while on the game, im still searching for Uncharted 1 so i can play all 3 games.

To be honest, and this is only my personal opinion and I might catch hell for it and lots may feel the opposite, but while Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 3 are both bigger in terms of scale - I think Uncharted 1 was the best game. It was a breath of fresh air at the time of course, but it feels much more like an adventure than the other 2 sequels which in turn feel more like interactive movies.

[moeom]

Playing this game made me understand what all the rave was all about. Man am i having so much fun and im still early in the game. I also got a free voucher for the Catwoman add-on, so it will be some time until i get this game done.

On top of that, i got Uncharted 2 and 3 waiting for me. They are still in their plastic wrap waiting to be ripped off the cover. But i still have some time until Batman is done, and while on the game, im still searching for Uncharted 1 so i can play all 3 games.

To be honest, and this is only my personal opinion and I might catch hell for it and lots may feel the opposite, but while Uncharted 2 and Uncharted 3 are both bigger in terms of scale - I think Uncharted 1 was the best game. It was a breath of fresh air at the time of course, but it feels much more like an adventure than the other 2 sequels which in turn feel more like interactive movies.

Here's the thing, its the same as saying CoD4 was best because it was a whole new experience, but it doesn't mean that what came after it wasn't better. It was just a new, fresh idea that not many have seen before. I cant say much though, i still haven't started them yet.

Staying with Batman, im enjoying the game a lot and im about 50% through the main story. So decided to take a little break and start with Uncharted 2. I wont bother looking for 1 anymore. Its been weeks. But Batman has me hooked for real man. Its only normal to take a mini break though. Playing it none stop got me playing sluggish and dying every time i get into a new combat with the thugs. Loving the story too though. My roommate came from work yesterday and was wondering if i was playing or watching a movie while watching a cut-scene during the Penguin chapter.

[Thommohawk]

Obviously it's a matter of preference, and statistically speaking Uncharted 2 + 3 are better games than Uncharted 1.

But Uncharted Drake's Fortune was the one that kicked it off and it wasn't until Uncharted 2 came along that many people began to really take notice to what lots of other people had been saying about the franchise based on the original outing which due to timing of it's platform and as a fresh IP I still feel only really got it's fair shake until after Uncharted 2 came out - but nevertheless Uncharted as a franchise is right up there as one of the best. And Drake's Fortune is right up there with it's sequels. To be honest I think it was underscored by a couple of reputable places whereas Uncharted 2 was definitely overscored for sure if you remember that magazine which gave it 21/20 lol.

But getting back to Batman I'm sure there's some that think Arkham Asylum was better than Arkham City - even if I can't see it myself.

[nobleknight91]

Got the new DLC days ago ,all I can say it's really good DLC

[ShadyKnight]

Finished the story mode. I must say I'm astounded as to the amount of care and attention to detail that went into the game. Everything is absolutely spot-on, especially so for fans of the universe.

I've just started properly collecting Riddler trophies as well as trying to complete Riddler missions. The Catwoman levels are stunning. I've not really had to time to try anything else.

[Bravez]

I should play this game again. I started it and almost instantly stopped for some reason.

[Peruzzi]

Ive been thinking about playing through this again too.

I completed Far Cry and started it again but its lost some of the wow factor the 2nd time through.

[nobleknight91]

Played it 5 times since release. 2 times in 2011 and 3 in 2012.
I need to start playing it in 2013 soon.

[ShadyKnight]

There's so much to do! I'm limiting myself to around 2 or 3 hours a day of play, no more. I started the game last Sunday and managed to finish the storymode last night.

@ Thommo - Re: The Uncharted games. I wanted to Plat Uncharted 1 so I began playing that before Christmas. You know I actually do think Uncharted 1 is possibly better than Uncharted 2, even after having played Uncharted 2 (but not 3...yet). I don't know, it just seems to be perfect; it hits the right "beats" every single time, and then after having done what it sets out to do the game ends in the perfect manner. I certainly think it's underrated - if an Uncharted game could ever be underrated - because I think when U2 was released many began to poo-poo U1. In hindsight I prefer U1.

[Peruzzi]

I also prefer 1, although its very close. Just the right amount of action compared to puzzles and exploring.

I think theres a bit too much action in 3, not enough Uncharted-ness if you get me, and too many ultra hard enemies that take 60 odd shots to kill.

[nobleknight91]

You guys will make buy uncharted 1.Got 2 & 3.
U3 is kinda fictional and more hollywood compared to 2.

[ShadyKnight]

Technically, in terms of improved animations (certainly for Drake), tighter controls, etc., Uncharted 2 should sweep the floor with Uncharted 1. But somehow it only serves to highlight how that bit more enjoyable U1 was.

Anyway back on topic I guess, lol. I personally reckon AC is better than AA, although for differing reasons compared to the standard "bigger and better" ethos of most sequels. I do wonder if AC has benefitted from the slightly more open-world approach compared to AA. I don't know, AA felt very contained but that suited the claustrophobic aspects of the story, i.e. trapped in an Asylum. Would the expansive Scarecrow levels in AA worked had the game been set in a city? They were such a huge tonal shift because we felt we were delving into Batman's scarred psyche whilst trapped in this confined space. I guess the Ra's Al Ghul levels were the equivalent of the Scarecrow levels, but the Ra's levels were a bit different because Batman wasn't "fighting" himself, i.e. his fears (as he was with the Scarecrow levels).

What I like the most about AC is how every villain isn't shoe-horned into the game at just the right time, so that he or she can provide boss battle fodder for Batman. Everyone seems to be moving and working independent of Batman, and they aren't just waiting for Batman (i.e. us, the player) to arrive and beat them up. How they've done that and created that impression in the mind of the player is a marvel. The way Rocksteady manage to switch to Catwoman at just the exact time is brilliant. Everything seems to have been judged perfectly.

Also, did you fellas know Nolan North, i.e. Drake from Uncharted voiced The Penguin in Arkham City? No wonder the cockney accent sounded a bit dodgy.

[Thommohawk]

Technically, in terms of improved animations (certainly for Drake), tighter controls, etc., Uncharted 2 should sweep the floor with Uncharted 1. But somehow it only serves to highlight how that bit more enjoyable U1 was.

Also, did you fellas know Nolan North, i.e. Drake from Uncharted voiced The Penguin in Arkham City? No wonder the cockney accent sounded a bit dodgy.

That guy is in practically every game now, very talented though. I had no idea Penguin was him - shows he can actually do voices! I will say this though I'm sure Hugo Strange is the same voice as the guy who plays Walter Bishop on Fringe I forget the actor's name though...

But yeah Uncharted 1 was definitely much more of an adventure in the typical sense, more light hearted, great pay off at the end and it keeps you hooked all the way through - it's even got some Zelda like water puzzles half way through the game lol! Uncharted 1 I have played far too much over the last 5 years I've overplayed it and burnt out on it but it still holds up to this day and it is without a shadow of doubt my favorite game this gen and one of the very best this gen!

[ShadyKnight]

That guy is in practically every game now, very talented though. I had no idea Penguin was him - shows he can actually do voices! I will say this though I'm sure Hugo Strange is the same voice as the guy who plays Walter Bishop on Fringe I forget the actor's name though...

I know who you mean. He was the Steward of Gondor in the Lord of the Rings movies. John something or another. Wow, I never knew he voiced Hugo Strange. Off to Wikipedia to get the lowdown...

[Thommohawk]

That guy is in practically every game now, very talented though. I had no idea Penguin was him - shows he can actually do voices! I will say this though I'm sure Hugo Strange is the same voice as the guy who plays Walter Bishop on Fringe I forget the actor's name though...

I know who you mean. He was the Steward of Gondor in the Lord of the Rings movies. John something or another. Wow, I never knew he voiced Hugo Strange. Off to Wikipedia to get the lowdown...

I don't know if it is him or not, but it sure does sound like him!