Here is more information i got on it.
Player Action Game, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, PC
Publisher: Eidos
Developer: Rocksteady Sudios
Release: 2009
- Clever choice of location moves the game away from an open world Spider-Man clone and more into the dark and gritty realm of The Chronicles of Riddick.
- Packed with Batman's most dangerous archenemies Arkham Asylum boasts
a brand new story reminiscent of the depth and twists of Bioshock
- Story is written by Paul Dini (Batman: The Animated Series, Detective Comics)
- Wildstorm is crafting the authentic yet distinct new look for all the key characters
- Gameplay places just as much focus on Batman's role as a detective as his combat prowess.
- Game isn't being rushed to tie in with any TV/Film marketing cycles.
- Game runs on Unreal Engine 3
- Most of the game is played through an over-the-shoulder perspective
- You're going to see and get to fight against all the big super
villains. Seen so far. Joker, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Zsasz,
Penguin, Riddler, Scarecrow, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze and others the
magazine doesn't want to spoil.
- Allies revealed so far are Commissioner Gordon who plays a big role
and Barbara Gordon (aka Oracle) who is your radio contact in the game.
- Game opens with the Joker surrendering himself and subsequently taking over Arkham because of some secret the facility holds
- Magazine teases that this game will be the ultimate Batman experience
so the voice cast will reflect that (Think Kevin Conroy and Mark
Hamill).
- Arkham was chosen as a location because of its limitations including
the fact that it's an island prison. It's a persistent location so you
can visit any location at anytime including Batman's secret on site Bat
Cave etc. Don't think that just because this is an island prison there
will only be small hallways. The developers have taken into account all
the construction/destruction of the facility over the years so locals
will vary.
- Eidos' Batman license includes all 70 years of comic book fiction so they're pulling from all of that.
COMBAT
- Boss Battles won't necessarily be a series of straight pugilistic
fights. Each enemy represents a different side of Batman and not all of
them can match his wide skill set. Some battles are focused on combat
others will focus on gadgets some are similar to giant Zelda style
bosses.
- Combat description in the magazine talks about Batman perched on a
high ledge in a wide open room as he watches some of the Joker's thugs
rifle through drawers. Batman switches to investigation mode using a
blue tinted visor that among other things lets Batman see his enemies
through walls and identifies things like guns and knives. One thug is
carrying a machine gun so Batman jumps of the ledge, spreads his cape
and kicks him in the face. He then swipes his cape in a large arc to
stun his other enemies and then goes to work on them with a stylish
blend of punches, kicks, a knee to the face here a behind the back
elbow there. Combat has a gymnastic flourish and is accomplished using
only three buttons. Attack, Stun and Throw.
- Combat is only one element of the game so the developers didn't want
a bunch of button combos that you'd forget because you'll be doing
other things besides fighting.
- During battle a combo multiplier at the top of the screen will
increase with every strike. Once the combo expires a colony of bats
will swirl around Batman and then contribute to an experience bar on
the left side of the screen. In an RPG like skill tree system players
will be able to distribute points where they prefer. Think Combat
moves, faster takedowns, or gadget upgrades like the ability to throw
multiple batarangs at the same time.
- Gadgets are revealed by collecting items in secret rooms. You'll need
gadgets to survive as there are very tough enemies in the game that you
can't just go head to head with (Think Killer Croc, he's 10 feet tall
in the game and super tough)
- There are sections that involve sneaking but the developers call them
Predatory gameplay sections as stealth tends to imply weakness, they
prefer to think of it as picking off the weak people or people you
wouldn't last too long in direct fight with from strong positions. The
example they give in the article is Batman creating distractions with
bodies and victim's yells and then stalking the guards as they go to
inspect.
DETECTIVE
- Developers have come up with a very "sexy" CSI style for forensic
puzzles because Batman will always have the very latest gadgets.
- Investigative mode is the centerpiece in Batman's arsenal. The visor
can highlight points of interest and much like the Metroid Prime games
will scan items into your database.
- They also mention another forensic gadget, a fingerprint tracker that allow Batman to follow trails of fingerprints.
OTHER
- Magazine hints at the ability to play as the villains in the game.
Not sure if this is inserted directly into the game or available as a
second playthrough option.
- Magazine lists a few suggested reading items. Arkham Asylum: A
Serious House on Serious Earth, Batman: The Last Arkham, and Arkham
Asylum: Living Hell.
GRAPHICS
- Game is very gritty looking. The screens in the mag are all inside
Arkham and show case a few hallways, The Riddler's cell, A sewer etc.
Lots of great lighting going on.
- Character redesigns are pretty good for the most part. Joker looks
like classic Joker only with Heath Ledger style make up (long drawn on
red lipstick etc.) he still has a the bright purple suit and bright
green hair. Definitely more sinister looking than say the TAS Joker.
Killer Croc is huge and looks more like Jim Lee's Hush redesign as
opposed to some of the more human renditions of him.
- Batman is in the Black and Grey costume. It looks more like armor
however his gauntlets in particular look like the ones from TDK.
Overall it looks very awesome.
- The show screens of fights and predator segments and all look very interesting.
Subject: Batman: Arkham Asylum The Game 
Fri Aug 15, 2008 3:19 pm
