Batman: Arkham City Official Thread -- Harley Quinn DLC/GOTY Edition Out Now!

On a semi-unrelated note, I watched Batman: Year One today. The tone was fantastic, and the maturity was right where it should be (high, but not gratuitous). My only complaint is that it was exceedingly short (64 minutes). They could have done so much more, but I assume sequels are on their way.foxhound_fox

It's actually an animated version of a four part comic series by frank miller. I own a copy of the graphic novel myself. It was made in 1987

I would very much like to see the animated version

Yes, you are able to not only go back and finish, but open a "new game plus" mode (in the main menu) that increases the difficulty, changes the enemy placement and carries over your level/gadget progress. I'm about 55% complete and don't want to go NG+ until I'm completely done. It also says it carries over Riddler progress, but I've heard conflicting accounts and don't know personally.foxhound_fox

Thanks. There has been a sense of urgency to the story missions now, so I've felt compelled to try and complete them until another slow part opens up again.

Finished it, WHAT THE..... [spoiler] You cant do that, you can't kill the Joker. They killed the Joker!?!?!?!?!?! Holy crap. I am so sad. And the song Joker sings to Batman at the end, I almost teared up. What a beautiful romance they had, what a tragic ending. Well I say that is the end of this non canon storyline. I guess its a fitting way to say bye to Mark Hamill's Joker. [/spoiler] dvader654

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]Yes, you are able to not only go back and finish, but open a "new game plus" mode (in the main menu) that increases the difficulty, changes the enemy placement and carries over your level/gadget progress. I'm about 55% complete and don't want to go NG+ until I'm completely done. It also says it carries over Riddler progress, but I've heard conflicting accounts and don't know personally._Dez_

Thanks. There has been a sense of urgency to the story missions now, so I've felt compelled to try and complete them until another slow part opens up again.

I've been moving around the city completing Side-Quests and solving Riddler Puzzles. Damn, those Riddler puzzles could almost constitute an entire game by themselves. I still haven't figured out the mechanic of "setting" something on multiple pressure pads (not the question marks, but the panels that don't respond to Batarangs, etc), including the ones on sides of buildings. But I've had to do some awesome stuff like activate 3 different generators at varying frequency with My Remote Electrical Charge,to manuever a trophy through a maze. Or throwing a batarang through a series of corridors to find a switch, etc. They're just brilliant. It's also cool when you come across one that's relatively easy, just to provide a breather, you're like "Aww yeah".

I really want the new skins to come out. I don't wanna wait until December. :( Damn.

yeah these riddler trophies are fantastic. I've managed to figure out most of them, but there's one of those electromagnetic riddler ball tropies that I keep coming back to. There isn't a single angle that you can touch the generators with your RECs blast. It's completely encased in chainlink walls. Crazy stuff

On a semi-unrelated note, I watched Batman: Year One today. The tone was fantastic, and the maturity was right where it should be (high, but not gratuitous). My only complaint is that it was exceedingly short (64 minutes). They could have done so much more, but I assume sequels are on their way.foxhound_fox

I'm having trouble on one particular riddle, maybe someone knows.

[spoiler] It's on the farthest western part of the map. There's a tropy with a pressure pad nearby, with a question mark enclosed in chain-link fence against the wall. The only way to power on the ? is to step on the plate, but that causes two grates to pop-up on either side and blocks the entrance for the remote controlled batarang. How am I supposed to do this one? [/spoiler]

I think I can help MirkoS77

[spoiler] I'm pretty sure you just set your explosive gell on the buttons, step on the plate and set them off. Once I figured that out, I was able to solve a lot more riddles [/spoiler]

I'm free roaming(after completing the game) as Catwoman in her Animated Series costume. Is this ability news to anyone?El_Zo1212o

[QUOTE="El_Zo1212o"]I'm free roaming(after completing the game) as Catwoman in her Animated Series costume. Is this ability news to anyone?foxhound_fox

I was playing this glorious game in the dark last night (after about a six-hour Forza 4 marathon) and came to a realization (that I knew was inevitable): This is, frankly, pretty much one of the best games ever made. Playing in the dark emphasized the tone of the game that much more. I think I was a little tired and hazy (it was later evening and I just finished 6 hours of racing) and I started up in Penguin's museum (was searching for trophies and riddles). The volume was up and I was focused only on the game. I fell into a trance-like state and literally entered the game and "became" Batman. It lasted all of 5 minutes, but I was connected to the game in a way that I haven't experienced since Shadow of the Colossus. Every foot-step resonated, every brutal hit of his fists and feet had weight and were connected directly to me. I had become the Dark Knight. I had a feeling that this realization would come to pass, and my experience may sound like an acid-trip, but I assure you, I was not under the influence of anything other than the greatness of this game. I doubt anything else this year will impress me as much as this, so I have probably found my GOTY, and definitely one of my top-3 of the generation. Funnily enough, I didn't enjoy Asylum nearly as much (I played it once, got all the trophies and riddles and never touched the challenges) and am very much getting interested in the rest of the Batman/DC mythos.foxhound_fox

Yes, this. I'd say it's the best game since Bioshock, or perhaps MGS4 for me, and in the top 10 of all time without a doubt.

I also know I'll enjoy games for the rest of the year -- Uncharted 3, Skyrim, maybe the Assassin's Creed game will amuse me. However Uncharted 3 will be over in 8 hours and I won't feel like replaying it, Skyrim will be great, but it'll be a different kind of great -- a drawn out, high-quality great, but not what Arkham City achieves in impact.

Asylum was a great game, but certainly nowhere near the quality achieved here. I honestly wonder how they'll ever top it, or if anyone will, in any genre, for years to come.

I think I can help MirkoS77

Pikminmaniac

Thanks. I was wondering how to take those ? out. Also didn't know you could select which gel to explode by zooming in on it. Some of these riddles are crazy...I love it!

I was watching some Nightwing gameplay vids and Robin map challenges and the combat in this game looks improved over Batman: AA and I thought the combat was already damn good. I had very little to no hype for Arkham City, but it just went up a minute ago. I'm awaiting the PC version. Can't wait.

Holy Batman!

[QUOTE="foxhound_fox"]I was playing this glorious game in the dark last night (after about a six-hour Forza 4 marathon) and came to a realization (that I knew was inevitable): This is, frankly, pretty much one of the best games ever made. Playing in the dark emphasized the tone of the game that much more. I think I was a little tired and hazy (it was later evening and I just finished 6 hours of racing) and I started up in Penguin's museum (was searching for trophies and riddles). The volume was up and I was focused only on the game. I fell into a trance-like state and literally entered the game and "became" Batman. It lasted all of 5 minutes, but I was connected to the game in a way that I haven't experienced since Shadow of the Colossus. Every foot-step resonated, every brutal hit of his fists and feet had weight and were connected directly to me. I had become the Dark Knight. I had a feeling that this realization would come to pass, and my experience may sound like an acid-trip, but I assure you, I was not under the influence of anything other than the greatness of this game. I doubt anything else this year will impress me as much as this, so I have probably found my GOTY, and definitely one of my top-3 of the generation. Funnily enough, I didn't enjoy Asylum nearly as much (I played it once, got all the trophies and riddles and never touched the challenges) and am very much getting interested in the rest of the Batman/DC mythos.Jbul

Yes, this. I'd say it's the best game since Bioshock, or perhaps MGS4 for me, and in the top 10 of all time without a doubt.

I also know I'll enjoy games for the rest of the year -- Uncharted 3, Skyrim, maybe the Assassin's Creed game will amuse me. However Uncharted 3 will be over in 8 hours and I won't feel like replaying it, Skyrim will be great, but it'll be a different kind of great -- a drawn out, high-quality great, but not what Arkham City achieves in impact.

Asylum was a great game, but certainly nowhere near the quality achieved here. I honestly wonder how they'll ever top it, or if anyone will, in any genre, for years to come.

After spending far too much time in that "other" Batman thread, I think the most obvious and intractable evidence of this game's true greatness is how minor and nitpicky the criticisms of Arkham City really are. Most of the people who have derided this game - even mildly so – seem to have unreasonable expectations as to what a sequel should entail. Others were annoyed at the open-world structure but frankly, I'd argue this change suits the character better than a more linear, focused approach.

It really is an amazing experience in every way. Even the music –which is something I tend to ignore – is fantastic. The scary thing is I considered AA to be one of the best games ever made and this sequel eclipses it entirely.

I really cannot wait to see what Rocksteady does next.

So I was away for a few days, visiting a college friend of mine. He pre-ordered Arkham City from Best Buy and got the DLC for Robin and I got to check him out in the past few days and he's really a lot of fun to play. I love his martial arts and the counter-attacks, specifically one where he pulls off a Neo and kicks three seperate guys, one by one, while holding onto his stick and circling aroudn them in the air. Sick! I hope that, someday, there will be an edition of the game with everything packed, including the characters and challenge maps. Would be great to own! Robin is SUCH a COOL character! And I'm told that you get to see him during the main campaign, but I've yet to spot him.

So I was away for a few days, visiting a college friend of mine. He pre-ordered Arkham City from Best Buy and got the DLC for Robin and I got to check him out in the past few days and he's really a lot of fun to play. I love his martial arts and the counter-attacks, specifically one where he pulls off a Neo and kicks three seperate guys, one by one, while holding onto his stick and circling aroudn them in the air. Sick! I hope that, someday, there will be an edition of the game with everything packed, including the characters and challenge maps. Would be great to own! Robin is SUCH a COOL character! And I'm told that you get to see him during the main campaign, but I've yet to spot him.

Metamania

All of the exclusive DLC should be made public eventually just like withAA.

There's no way Rocksteady went to that much effort merely for Best Buy. Like the skins, we'll be gettinghim down the road.

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

So I was away for a few days, visiting a college friend of mine. He pre-ordered Arkham City from Best Buy and got the DLC for Robin and I got to check him out in the past few days and he's really a lot of fun to play. I love his martial arts and the counter-attacks, specifically one where he pulls off a Neo and kicks three seperate guys, one by one, while holding onto his stick and circling aroudn them in the air. Sick! I hope that, someday, there will be an edition of the game with everything packed, including the characters and challenge maps. Would be great to own! Robin is SUCH a COOL character! And I'm told that you get to see him during the main campaign, but I've yet to spot him.

Grammaton-Cleric

All of the exclusive DLC should be made public eventually just like withAA.

There's no way Rocksteady went to that much effort merely for Best Buy. Like the skins, we'll be gettinghim down the road.

I just got past Penguin and Grundy. This game is pretty rad.

I think this should explain

EDIT: It doesn't :P

I'd really love to see a new Streets of Rage (or Final Fight) that utilizes this combat engine. I hope this system appears in many future games, as Rocksteady has nailed down melee fighting better than anyone else I've ever seen. A side scrolling beat 'em up could work brilliantly if they'd double or even triple the number of animations so it wouldn't become so repetitive, add a second attack button, make it co-op, with destructible environments.

I'd really love to see a new Streets of Rage (or Final Fight) that utilizes this combat engine. I hope this system appears in many future games, as Rocksteady has nailed down melee fighting better than anyone else I've ever seen. A side scrolling beat 'em up could work brilliantly if they'd double or even triple the number of animations so it wouldn't become so repetitive, add a second attack button, make it co-op, with destructible environments.

MirkoS77

Heck, why not throw in Double Dragon, a series that has been gone for a long time now? I would love to see Double Dragon done with a combat engine like this. Wouldn't that be amazing?

[QUOTE="MirkoS77"]

I'd really love to see a new Streets of Rage (or Final Fight) that utilizes this combat engine. I hope this system appears in many future games, as Rocksteady has nailed down melee fighting better than anyone else I've ever seen. A side scrolling beat 'em up could work brilliantly if they'd double or even triple the number of animations so it wouldn't become so repetitive, add a second attack button, make it co-op, with destructible environments.

Metamania

Heck, why not throw in Double Dragon, a series that has been gone for a long time now? I would love to see Double Dragon done with a combat engine like this. Wouldn't that be amazing?

Ah, Double Dragon! Even better, that's been gone for too long now. That'd be sweet. I hope Rocksteady knows what they've got here and decides to license out this engine like crazy. It's a prime opportunity to help revitalize a genre that's basically been non-existent for a while now, hopefully other companies out there will take the initiative and use it.

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

[QUOTE="MirkoS77"]

I'd really love to see a new Streets of Rage (or Final Fight) that utilizes this combat engine. I hope this system appears in many future games, as Rocksteady has nailed down melee fighting better than anyone else I've ever seen. A side scrolling beat 'em up could work brilliantly if they'd double or even triple the number of animations so it wouldn't become so repetitive, add a second attack button, make it co-op, with destructible environments.

MirkoS77

Heck, why not throw in Double Dragon, a series that has been gone for a long time now? I would love to see Double Dragon done with a combat engine like this. Wouldn't that be amazing?

Ah, Double Dragon! Even better, that's been gone for too long now. That'd be sweet. I hope Rocksteady knows what they've got here and decides to license out this engine like crazy. It's a prime opportunity to help revitalize a genre that's basically been non-existent for a while now, hopefully other companies out there will take the initiative and use it.

I'm hoping for the same thing, actually. Maybe some of these games can be revived because of it, because what Rocksteady accomplished here shouldn't be ignored by any of the developers of today. Arkham City and its predecessor has one of the best combat systems I've seen in a genre like this. So I'm with you; I hope that developers immediately take notice and try out their own thing and putting their own spin into the combat system, as long as it is done correctly and fits the tone of that universe, like with Double Dragon.

Anyone DL Nightwing yet? Pretty cool, I like his stun batons and his costume is bad***. Worth the money. I think if Rocksteady released new character DLC every few months I could play the challenge maps forever.

Anyone DL Nightwing yet? Pretty cool, I like his stun batons and his costume is bad***. Worth the money. I think if Rocksteady released new character DLC every few months I could play the challenge maps forever.

MirkoS77

I'm actually holding off on getting the DLC. My way of thinking is that Rocksteady will eventually release some sort of GOTY edition with all the DLC included, from challenge maps to extra characters. If they do that, I'm in!

[QUOTE="MirkoS77"]

Anyone DL Nightwing yet? Pretty cool, I like his stun batons and his costume is bad***. Worth the money. I think if Rocksteady released new character DLC every few months I could play the challenge maps forever.

Metamania

I'm actually holding off on getting the DLC. My way of thinking is that Rocksteady will eventually release some sort of GOTY edition with all the DLC included, from challenge maps to extra characters. If they do that, I'm in!

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

[QUOTE="MirkoS77"]

Anyone DL Nightwing yet? Pretty cool, I like his stun batons and his costume is bad***. Worth the money. I think if Rocksteady released new character DLC every few months I could play the challenge maps forever.

MirkoS77

I'm actually holding off on getting the DLC. My way of thinking is that Rocksteady will eventually release some sort of GOTY edition with all the DLC included, from challenge maps to extra characters. If they do that, I'm in!

If they can do that, then I'll glady trade in my original copy and use it towards the GOTY edition when the time comes. Meanwhile, since there's so much to do in the game, DLC isn't really something to buy at this point.

I'm pretty much Rocksteady's b**** in regards to DLC. I will drink this game up and ask for seconds and thirds until I burst from gluttony.

As to the Nightwing DLC, it's excellent. Like Catwoman he plays entirely different than Batman and his stun escrema sticks are pretty slick.

The other thing that I think is worth mentioning is how well Rcoksteady continues to nail the design of the characters. They draw inspiration from the comics to be certain but all of their character designs have some tweaks and changes that make them feel like a part of this specific Batman universe. There's a dark, almost gritty look to the characters in these games and I really love the overall aesthetic which has a noir look and feel.

I'm also really looking forward to that Robin DLC later this month. I've heard it's a blast.

I'm pretty much Rocksteady's b**** in regards to DLC...Grammaton-Cleric

[QUOTE="Grammaton-Cleric"]I'm pretty much Rocksteady's b**** in regards to DLC...El_Zo1212o

I guess that leaves batgirl. Cassandra Cain!

[QUOTE="Grammaton-Cleric"]

I'm pretty much Rocksteady's b**** in regards to DLC. I will drink this game up and ask for seconds and thirds until I burst from gluttony.

As to the Nightwing DLC, it's excellent. Like Catwoman he plays entirely different than Batman and his stun escrema sticks are pretty slick.

The other thing that I think is worth mentioning is how well Rcoksteady continues to nail the design of the characters. They draw inspiration from the comics to be certain but all of their character designs have some tweaks and changes that make them feel like a part of this specific Batman universe. There's a dark, almost gritty look to the characters in these games and I really love the overall aesthetic which has a noir look and feel.

I'm also really looking forward to that Robin DLC later this month. I've heard it's a blast.

dvader654

I actually haven't finished the story yet. I'm savoring this one as slowly as I can because I just love it so much. I also keep playing the challenge maps but I'll probably hunker down and beat the story very soon. (I also have tons of games backlogged and I'll be nabbing Uncharted 3 today)

Thanks for the nod to that other thread. It was pretty brutal in there, though I also got to discuss the game at length with some intelligent people like Elzo1212o, who actually had something articulate and cogent to add to the discussion.

The thing is, I can understand why some people might prefer the first on a purely subjective basis but from an objective standpoint AC trumps AA in just about every conceivable way. And that's coming from a man who worshipped AA.

Nightwing is interesting because he isn't quite as agile as Catwoman but he's not quite a brutish as Batman. He actually has a style that seems to walk the middle ground between speed and brute force and it demonstrates just how deliberate and considerate Rocksteady has been in imbuing each playable character with their own distinctive style, toolset and move list.

If they were to maintain this level of quality in their DLC I'd happily shell out money indefinitely.

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

[QUOTE="MirkoS77"]

I'd really love to see a new Streets of Rage (or Final Fight) that utilizes this combat engine. I hope this system appears in many future games, as Rocksteady has nailed down melee fighting better than anyone else I've ever seen. A side scrolling beat 'em up could work brilliantly if they'd double or even triple the number of animations so it wouldn't become so repetitive, add a second attack button, make it co-op, with destructible environments.

MirkoS77

Heck, why not throw in Double Dragon, a series that has been gone for a long time now? I would love to see Double Dragon done with a combat engine like this. Wouldn't that be amazing?

Ah, Double Dragon! Even better, that's been gone for too long now. That'd be sweet. I hope Rocksteady knows what they've got here and decides to license out this engine like crazy. It's a prime opportunity to help revitalize a genre that's basically been non-existent for a while now, hopefully other companies out there will take the initiative and use it.

[QUOTE="MirkoS77"]

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

Heck, why not throw in Double Dragon, a series that has been gone for a long time now? I would love to see Double Dragon done with a combat engine like this. Wouldn't that be amazing?

El_Zo1212o

Ah, Double Dragon! Even better, that's been gone for too long now. That'd be sweet. I hope Rocksteady knows what they've got here and decides to license out this engine like crazy. It's a prime opportunity to help revitalize a genre that's basically been non-existent for a while now, hopefully other companies out there will take the initiative and use it.

I hope someone is taking notes here, 'cause I'm getting excited just dreaming about it.

Or just take up a stick of dynamite, throw it at two guys and watch it explode as you spin around and plant a jumping spin kick to three enemies nearby you. The possibilities are endless!

I guess that leaves batgirl. Cassandra Cain!

Pikminmaniac

Or Black Canary. :3 In semi-unrelated news for the second time, I finished watching Batman: Under the Red Hood. Exceptional movie, that made me want to get deeper into Batman than ever before. And the Joker-Batman rivalry is pretty much the best in the history of creative fiction, at least for me... and this movie just exemplified everything great about it. Now I'm watching Batman/Superman: Apocalypse. DC is switfly becoming my favourite of the two major comic universes (something about Marvel just never "clicked" for me ever since childhood... might have been all the ridiculous super powers and incredibly obvious moral lessons... and the rhyming names).

I need to go back to Gamestop. I threw away the receipt that had the Joker Carnival code without realizing it, so I hope I'm able to re-secure a receipt again...

I need to go back to Gamestop. I threw away the receipt that had the Joker Carnival code without realizing it, so I hope I'm able to re-secure a receipt again...

Metamania

[QUOTE="Metamania"]

I need to go back to Gamestop. I threw away the receipt that had the Joker Carnival code without realizing it, so I hope I'm able to re-secure a receipt again...

El_Zo1212o

Thanks man. Hopefully, it will work out ofr the best. Otherwise, I may have to wait until it is eventually released on DLC or hopefully getting a GOTY edition, should the gaming gods be smiling down upon us. :lol:

Got the Nightwing DLC. I like it alot. As Grammaton stated, he feels very distinct -- not as fast as Catwoman, but definitely faster than Batman, and I think he's actually pretty close to Catwoman speedwise once you get the freeflows going. My only complaint, albeit a minor one? I wish he had the pre-fight speech that Batman and Catwoman do. Especially Batman, who's legendary lines before the Challenge Maps always get me fired up, and literally feel %100 perfect to the spirit of the character.

Something not alot of people have touched on regarding the combat -- the motion capture of all the moves. These are NOT clunky animations here, they're buttery smooth motion-captures of real martial artists performing REAL MOVES, and it shows.

As someone who's been involved in Combat Sports for a good chunk of my life, it's hard not to cheer when I see a character do a REAL move that would work in THAT particular situation the character is in. Just another testament to the painstaking care put into every aspect of this game. Most of the fighting is legit martial arts, in other words.

IF anyone has any Nightwing tips they'd like to share, post 'em. As most of you know, he's got some of Batman's gear (Grapple and Batarang, most notably) but also has Wrist Darts which can be quick fired pressing RT twice, just like Batman's freeze blasts. As far as I can tell, he can't do Batman's DISARM grapple manuever (X +Y, but neither can Catwoman, insofar as I can tell), but he can use the Grapple against gun-toting enemies effectively (LT + Y).

He's got a pretty badass stun move that can be used when your Combo multiplyer is x5 or above, just hit (A + B), and it'll shock every single enemy on the screen, opening alot of opportunities forcombo free-flow, and is great for Crowd Control.

Also has a move that stuns large groups of enemies but requires no combo in LT + X.

All in all an awesome addition to an already feature-packed masterpiece. If you guys have anymore Nightwing tips, please share.

Oh and Grammaton, I agree with Dvader regarding the other Batman topic. Funny how no one could argue your points, so they just started slinging personal insults towards you. :roll: Glad you stood your ground, "mate".. :P

What happened to this thread that everyone keeps talking about? I'm curious to read it! :P

What happened to this thread that everyone keeps talking about? I'm curious to read it! :P

Metamania

Let's just let it die. I'll give you a quick synopsis though.

Some guy: Arkham City is soooo boring!

Grammaton: What about it didn't you like? (Displays convincing and genuine reasons it's one of the best games of this generation and a huge improvement over it's predocessor)

Some guy: Grammaton, you're a terrible human being who really needs help.

Grammaton: What? I'm just asking you to be specific.

Some other guy: Yeah Grammaton, I lost alot of respect for you (for intelligenty debating your points, while others throw personal insults at you).

/END THREAD