#5 on the Countdown

For number 5 on the countdown we have a relatively new title, which many would think is obvious with the advances in 3d modeling technology and higher processing consoles (but this is not entirely the case). So we are looking at Batman: Arkham Asylum, Arkham Asylum was developed by the independent studio known as Rocksteady Studio of North London, England and published by Edios.

As of note this is only Rocksteady Studios' second AAA release (its first being Urban Chaos), and what a breakout title it has been for the studio. After the incredible way it was received by the gaming community and the industry as a whole it is no wonder it rocketed Rocksteady Studios into the 24th most successful studio in the world (according to the annual listing on studio100.com). Arkham Asylum has been praised all over the industry receiving rave reviews from IGN, Game Rankings, Spike TV, and holds a Guinness Book of World Records record for "most successful super hero game of all time". So as you can see before I even delve into an analysis of the game it already has proved itself in many other categories. This does raise the question though of why then does it fall at number 5 of my list, well lets take a look.

Batman: Arkham Asylum's art team is led by David Hego, David has worked with Rocksteady since 2004 originally working as their senior FX Artist and then moving on into his position as Art Director, and from the results of his labor on Arkham Asylum I can certainly see why.

Now enough of that, on to the game itself. Arkham Asylum gives the franchise a much needed dark twist. The entire game seems to coated in a heavy layer of sludge that not only brings the prison interior into the right perspective but binds the whole art style together. Throughout the game we are introduced to all of our favorite villains; Joker, Harley Quinn, Bane, Killer Croc, and many others. And from that first image of the Joker the player can see what they are getting into. The Joker is brought to life dirty, depraved, and frightening. This is the first time we see these characters portrayed in such a mature way from their comic book origins and then later cartoon reimaginations.



Artfully mapped faces mixed with frighteningly smooth motion capture truly brings these characters to life which is exactly what the game needed to get across to give the characters their frighteningly deranged personalities. Throughout my play through of the game I caught myself being put off at times by the antic of the Joker and the sheer monstrousness of Killer Croc and Bane ( not to mention what we all thought seeing the new style of Harley Quinn).

These reasons are why Batman: Arkham Asylum has made it onto my list, it is a beautifully crafted game that breathes a new life into the super hero game genre (which was almost killed by Superman 64). However Arkham Asylum is only at number 5 so it is not all good. While the art direction brings it into the dark and gritty that Batman so craves it feels held back. Whether it was the lack of total freedom with IP or from the publisher the art seems to be constantly reeled back in from reaching a new plateau. After seeing what the studio was capable I would have loved to see a new villain or two, something that could truly show their abilities. While yes they did an amazing job bringing new life to an amazing cast, it is a bit disappointing to only see familiar faces . I understand that it may not have been Rocksteady's choice but rather an IP restriction but in my opinion is is a major loss to the potential of the game.

So Batman: Arkham Asylum beautifully brings life back to a franchise that was begging for an overhaul, but in the end is simply just bringing back old faces with a new polish. I look forward to the rumored sequel, as I would love to see more work from David Hego and his team and hope that they can build upon their previous success and make their next Batman game something that can push the industry forward.