Batman: Arkham Asylum

Official details are below: -------

Enjoy the new screens and art, boys and girls! Turn on some Prince music while you're at it. -------

As your faithful reviewer/editor/whatever is up at 5:30am this morning, trying to keep sane, found an interesting bit of news released from Warner Brothers in the inbox this morning. Apparently Warner Brothers Home Entertainment has acquired the majority stake in Rocksteady Studios, who are famous for Batman: Arkham Asylum. It's particularly interesting because this very well could mean the beginning of more Batman games in the near horizon, but the possibility (very real possibility) of more DC Comic titles. Gotta love it. Official details below: ---------

I wonder if Bob Kane knew that his creation, Batman, would reach such heights of pop culture significance and popularity. The Caped Crusader is as popular today as ever, after decades of comics, TV shows, toys, movies, and video games. The Batman video games have been everything from terrible to good over the years, but Rocksteady Studios and Eidos Interactives' newest, Batman: Arkham Asylum, is by far the best. Not only is Arkham Asylum the best Batman game, it's an incredible game all around that you absolutely should not miss.

There have been 21 Batman videogames! 21! Can you remember playing any of them? I spent a considerable amount of time with Batman: The Movie on NES, but, with the exception of last year’s Lego entry, most have been mildly inspired and entirely forgettable. And it’s quite a shame, because Batman isn’t one of those superheroes with gimmicky weaknesses. Hell, he doesn’t even have any actual powers; he’s just really pissed off all the time. Similarly, his mortality lends itself to a variety of challenges, and it’s a shame that his potential has yet to be realized as a videogame. Anyway, Arkham Asylum opts out of a movie license and has taken the path of an original, but highly informed, tale. Batman has captured the Joker, almost too easily, and the two are in route to Arkham. The Joker allows himself to become incarcerated then predictably (come on, satisfyingly!) breaks out and frees all the residents of Arkham. Chaos ensues, and Joker and Harley Quinn create a serious of ridiculous circumstances en route to taking the place over. A loony bin full of insane convicts is fantastic framework for a Batman game. If nothing else,...

Batman: Arkum Asylum was on the floor today to play and it's looking great. Players will control the Dark Knight as he tries to defeat the Joker, who has managed to take over Arkham and release the dozens of inmates inside, not to mention other Joker faithful who were being transported to Arkham. Harley Quinn is along for the ride too as she will help Joker in attempting to halt Batman's progress. The game begins with a basic combat sequence against unarmed inmates of Arkham. Batman does not have the ability to block, but there is a fluid counter system in Arkham Asylum that works really well. Before an enemy strikes you, an indicator pops up over his head, allowing you just a moment to react by pressing Triangle to counter. Countering allows Batman to perform some really great and varied moves on his foes. However, unless you are facing basic enemies, that are not armed with guns, you will have to take care of your enemies with stealth. The stealth element to the game, and to the Batman mythos in general, is undeniable. So in Arkham, Batman is able to take cover at corners,...

POISON IVY REAL NAME: Pamela Lillian IsleyOCCUPATION: Professional CriminalBASE OF OPERATIONS: Gotham CityEYES: GreenHAIR: RedHEIGHT: 5 ft 8 inWEIGHT: 115 lbFIRST APPEARANCE: Batman #181 (June, 1966) Botanist Pamela Isley was transformed by a science experiment gone wrong into a plant-human hybrid. With chlorophyll flowing through her veins instead of blood, she developed a toxic touch and a pheromone-fueled talent for seduction. Her crimes have become more ecologically focused as she has increasingly abandoned her human side, identifying more with the natural world. Her unique brand of eco-terrorism often puts her into conflict with Batman, whose iron will usually protects him from her seductive powers. Attributes: An ability to encourage and direct the growth of all plant life Plant genes mixed in with her DNA make her an unpredictable and formidable physical opponent Exudes natural pheromones that enable her to exert control over victims Skin secretes a toxin that can make her touch deadly ...

As always, fellow Chumps, full-screen the video player for true HD quality. {hwdvs-player}637{/hwdvs-player}

Rumors are just that, but IGN has managed to wrestle an official statement containing some not-so-exciting news about everyone's favorite upcoming movie-licensed videogame: "Eidos Interactive and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment can today confirm that Batman: Arkham Asylum will be released at the end of summer 2009," a spokesperson said. "This additional time will allow us to ensure Batman: Arkham Asylum is of the highest quality for gamers." Depending on how you look at it, this may not be a bad thing, however.  A wise man once said, "A delayed game will eventually be good, but a bad game is bad forever."

In Batman Arkham Asylum, enemies attack you from all angles. Groups of The Joker's henchmen rain down successive punishing blows, one after the other. Only by mastering the timing of attacks and countering will you understand the true meaning of 'freeflow combat' and help Batman discover what's really going on at Arkham Asylum... {hwdvs-player}609{/hwdvs-player}    

Check out the new website at BatmanArkhamAsylum.com!  Here's what you can expect soon: Over the coming months BatmanArkhamAsylum.com will be the main resource for all the latest news and information on the game; including the new screenshots, videos and announcements, along with features and insider content such as developer blogs, interviews, podcasts and more.The site will also serve as the primary hub for the Batman: Arkham Asylum Community, housing the official game forums - where you can speak directly to the team working on the game, enter competitions, and stay up-to-date with all community news and activity.

You can't beat Free HD video.  We've got the full Batman gameplay developer walkthrough video in high-definition -- at the highest streaming quality available anywhere on the entire internet. Be sure to click the Full Screen button on the player for full HD resolution. {hwdvs-player}582{/hwdvs-player} Enjoy!

Find this in better streaming quality somewhere else on the internet.  We dare you! {hwdvs-player}543{/hwdvs-player}

Because providing high-quality downloadable video is what we're all about.  Oh, by the way, this trailer kicks ass.