It's been over a year since I've played B:AA. I do remember the combos to be more of a button-bashing affair.

So i finished my replay of Arkham Asylum yesterday with all the Riddler Challenges etc. completed as well. It was definitely much more relaxing/fun at the end since i let myself be more lenient with the combo system (i.e. allowing the combo meter to drop instead of trying to force out another hit) since i'd hit "max level" and had everything upgraded. I still got annoyed when i lost combo by getting hit though...

As for the combat system, it's definitely quite a "simple" system per se, whereby you can get through the game quite easily by mashing if you're not worried about keeping up your combo meter. There's also no variation in attacks since everything is just mapped to the X key to strike, the other features such as Cape Stun, Evade, Instant Takedown, Throw and Combo Batarang are merely there to either help your "Variation" Bonus, help you temporarily reduce the "playing field" or specifically to counter certain enemies (i.e. the Dual Knife and Electric Prod wielding thugs - although I just ended up working up an easy 5 Combo on normal thugs and then Instant Takedown'd the special ones just because i couldn't be bothered to deal with them properly). Furthermore, the only thing that could relate to any "skill" would be the "Critical Strikes" upgrade you can get, which occurs if you time your striking properly you do a Critical Strike, dealing 2x damage and gaining 2x Combo on the meter... which as an observant person would notice, in reality you gain nothing apart from being more efficient with your strikes, allowing you to clear large numbers of enemies more quickly with less strikes and the same (/similar) combo number (since if an enemy is only one more hit away from "dying" you can still Crit on him to move your combo up by 2).

Also the window of opportunity to pull of a Counter is massive, being in the range of ~2 seconds, compared to just a couple of frames in other action games (Bayonetta, Devil May Cry, Darksiders). Not to mention that the thugs aren't very diverse (apart from the aforementioned "special" thugs, and those you can't counter anyways so it doesn't matter) and have a very obvious and telegraphed attack animation (hell, anything below Hard even has the Bat Senses tingling to warn you of an incoming attack). I think the only time when i missed a Counter was either when i got caught in the middle of a ground takedown (see aforementioned rant lol), or more likely, the Camera angle was awkward and either Batman or another Thug was shielding the attacker so i didn't notice it (although all of the other games i've mentioned have Camera issues, so i don't really care so much for this); in fact it's probably why they added the warning indicator anyways .

Anyhow, i was now looking to 100% complete the game, in terms of both achievements and the challenges. I've done a couple of the Silent Predator challenges, however not sure whether or not i want to do the combo ones... those would be the epitome of what i find annoying with the Combat System lol.

Yeah, that's where I left it

Batman: Arkham City comic book announced, amazing art shown

A Batman: Arkham City comic book series has been announced by Warner Bros.

It's a six-issue miniseries that bridges the gap between Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, and leads into the new game's release this year.


The comics are written by Batman: The Animated Series writer Paul Dini (who also penned both Arkham games) and drawn by Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City concept artist Carlos D'anda.

"The digital first stories offer a unique incentive for fans to experience interesting and exciting stories beyond the pages in the printed comic," said Jim Lee, DC Comics Co-Publisher.

"The additional pages will serve as interludes within the regular issues and won't be necessary to follow the main story of the miniseries. Fans will also be able to read these interludes in print later, when we publish the collected edition."

Each issue of the miniseries will be available digitally worldwide for $2.99 each. These releases will alternate with 8-page digital-first interludes for 99 cents that will expand on the story included in the miniseries.

Issues 1 & 2 will be landing in May with number 1 getting a variant cover, utilising in-game graphics.

Have a look at the latest batch of Arkham City screenshots from Rocksteady if you haven't already.

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/28 ... art-shown/

Erm, screw your little attempt at profiteering, but I might get the gn if it's any good, probably second-hand

...

Batman: Arkham City Detective Mode shown off

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/28 ... shown-off/

Er... great

Will definitely get the graphic novel, though as above, prolly second hand.

As for the gameshots - nothing new, though preferred weapons in red like in the first game. Kinda draws your attention more rapidly.

is that a riot shield i see there? that could be interesting, so long as it isnt the same "stun and strike" tactic an the buzzbaton from BM:AA

+1

Batman: Arkham City - finally, an actual gameplay preview - spoilers, ahoy!

http://www.gamesradar.com/xbox360/batma ... 4528870002

Gives too much away for me (didn't read it all), but each to their own

I read the first paragraph and then stopped as soon as they were about to mention the start of the demo.

The pics look awesome. I didn't see a video though - was there one?

No, probably not - game's not out 'til November apparently, and I don't think I'll pay much heed to anything other than screenshots now, the way spoilers are flying about

+1, a few of developers seem to be doing that now. i watched an interview video about Duke Nukem Forever, and the guy basically explained the entire game, and then felt the need to explain why it was all so funny. cheers Mr. Maninasuit, but i think ill make up my own mind about your game thankyouverymuch...

Batman: Arkham City release date announced

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/29 ... announced/

Now I've got an interesting dilemma - do I wait until I'm off work at Xmas to play it, or do I get it on it's day of release? It wasn't supposed to be released until November...

And ION:

Future Batman: Arkham City announcements will fill multiplayer void - Rocksteady

http://www.computerandvideogames.com/29 ... ocksteady/

all round...

Just remembered, Uncharted 3 is out in November, I'll probably get this first day

I haven't even bothered to finish playing Uncharted 2!

Thankfully my first set of exams will be over well before then (including re-sit if necessary) so will have plenty of time to play it.

As for multiplayer, this game just doesn't need it. B:AA did what it did exceptionally well and without any need for MP nonsense.

How far did you get?