I'm nearing the end of the "Story" missions, I'm about %90. I've probably played 30 hours or so, and I've only got %50 completion, so my time with the game is really just beginning. I'd also like to add, to anyone who DOESNT get full completion, that you're seriously missing out. All of the side missions I've completed (2 or 3) all end in incredible boss battles with a famous Villian. They're not some bottled collection quests like GTA, running around like a schizophrenic just to say you collected all the Clay Pigeons to unlock a lame achievement or trophy. They're actually a huge part of the game. So congrats on rushing through the game, you fail miserably.

I'd also like to add to my former praise -- I'm not even a Batman fan. Or a comic fan. I literally don't know any of these characters when I played this game, and I still consider it to be in the top 3 games of this generation, easily, So in short, even if you don't particularly care about Batman, this is still a astounding achievement in interactive entertainment.

[QUOTE="GodModeEnabled"][QUOTE="Jbul"]

I'm nearing the end of the "Story" missions, I'm about %90. I've probably played 30 hours or so, and I've only got %50 completion, so my time with the game is really just beginning. I'd also like to add, to anyone who DOESNT get full completion, that you're seriously missing out. All of the side missions I've completed (2 or 3) all end in incredible boss battles with a famous Villian. They're not some bottled collection quests like GTA, running around like a schizophrenic just to say you collected all the Clay Pigeons to unlock a lame achievement or trophy. They're actually a huge part of the game. So congrats on rushing through the game, you fail miserably.

I'd also like to add to my former praise -- I'm not even a Batman fan. Or a comic fan. I literally don't know any of these characters when I played this game, and I still consider it to be in the top 3 games of this generation, easily, So in short, even if you don't particularly care about Batman, this is still a astounding achievement in interactive entertainment.

[/QUOTE] The "boss" fights the side stories end with are over in seconds and not really fights. The side missions are just GTA missions in disguise with a smattering of Batman story thrown on top of them. The main story is the entire reason to play the game, and unfortunately its much shorter because of the open world structure it suffers as the developers pinned the extra hours on the busy work you can do. Some people love this stuff, I sort of do but only in short bursts as I have played all these side missions a dozen times so far in a dozen different games. Interest can wane after a time, when you get down to the meat of this thing its a short game-- one of the few flaws on an otherwise excellent package. Do you know why I don't apply this gripe to GTA IV or most other open world games is because it still took me like 40 hours to finish the main game outside of side missions in those. Indeed the rampant frothing mouth fanboyism in this thread and most other official ones makes it nearly impossible to have a level headed discussion regarding a games merits and flaws because people feel like if you take apart a game they like to analyze the pieces that make the whole that suddenly they themselves are being insulted and must jump to defend their honor and gratify their $60 purchase. There is so much ego and BS at work that to get into a good conversation about any new game you need a machete to cut through peoples bull**** the ability to approach a game based on its own merits and analyze the good and bad is a lot more valuable than this emotional shield people shroud themselves in. I wouldn't say someone "fails miserably" at GTA IV because they didn't go shoot all 100 pigeons or take roman to the strip club 400 times, same thing here.[/QUOTE]

How many of the side missions did you complete? I've only done a few to %100, but each one was developed with care, respect to the source material, and most importantly -- they were very entertaining.

[spoiler] Like finally tracking down Zsaz, and smashing his head through a plate glass window right before he was about to murder someone [/spoiler]

I definitely argue that the side missions are vastly superior to GTA's meaningless collection-fests. They're part of the world, and fit excellently into the main story. The act of investigating and tracking down criminals is essential to the Batman canon (which is really what the sidequests are). Furthermore, they give a glimpse into the psyche of the villians in the game, who aren't featured in the "main story" as you'd call it, but those quests made me feel more like Batman than even the main story did. I normally hate side missions, but like most of aspects of the game (like Riddler trophies) they were constructed excellently and with thought -- far above the standard for most adventure/open-world games. If they sucked, I wouldn't have played them.

And also, I don't really think there's fanboyism in this thread. At least not from me. Am I a Batman fanboy? No, I could give a damn about the character outside of the two games. An adventure game fanboy? A videogame fanboy? An PS3 Fanboy? I think the thread contains alot of people who are really stoked about a game, instead of dissecting every aspect of it under a microscope and obsessing over every tiny flaw, they're praising the game not only because it's excellent, but also because it's appropriate to aknowledge how much fun we're having. Are these forums just for nitpicking and b***ing about every little imperfection in a game? Are you not a man if you can't find something to complain about? I wasn't aware of those rules. That would be pretty sad, and we'd all come across like whiney b****s if that was the case. Not everyone has to focus, obsess and analyze every aspect of a game, just because you like to do so (figuratively speaking).

But I do respect your right to have a different opinion than me -- although really, we both love the game tons, I probably just liked it a little more (because I'm cooler and have better taste than you) :P ;)

Beat the game today. Damn, what an ending. That's all I'll say. This game just captivated me from beginning to end like few others. I'm thinking of starting New Game Plus soon, but I still have about 300 Riddler Trophies to find and like 5 Side Quest series to solve. There's just so much damn content, it's baffling. Oh, and did I mention the challenge maps? My god.

Here is a testament to how much work went into the combat -- I've logged about 30 hours into the game's Story Mode, and probably another 4-5 into the Combat Challenges, and I'm still seeing new attacks, counters, and just badass moves from Batman that I've never seen before. STILL!

Let me give you an example. Try using the Disarm technique on a guy about the throw something at you -- just do it. Also try Disarm on the guys carrying shields.

Oh yeah, and one more thing. If you guys are looking for an Extra Skin for Batman, check this out --

For about $2, you can get the "Batman Beyond" skin, here's how. Go to the store and buy a NOS energy drink.Use the code under the tab on their website, and choose the Skin. It's pretty awesome, definitely worth $2, especially since the other skins won't be coming out until December.

[QUOTE="GodModeEnabled"][QUOTE="Jbul"]I think the thread contains alot of people who are really stoked about a game, instead of dissecting every aspect of it under a microscope and obsessing over every tiny flaw, they're praising the game not only because it's excellent, but also because it's appropriate to aknowledge how much fun we're having. Are these forums just for nitpicking and b***ing about every little imperfection in a game? Are you not a man if you can't find something to complain about? I wasn't aware of those rules. That would be pretty sad, and we'd all come across like whiney b****s if that was the case. Not everyone has to focus, obsess and analyze every aspect of a game, just because you like to do so (figuratively speaking)But I do respect your right to have a different opinion than me -- although really, we both love the game tons, I probably just liked it a little more (because I'm cooler and have better taste than you) :P ;)[/QUOTE] Yeeeah you're probably right. Because I like to look at games a certain way doesn't mean everyone does. I'm probably too negative for my own good, even games I love I have to cut out the bad pieces and put them on display for everyone to see. Its frustrating for me sometimes when everyone loves a game so much and im like "well this part kinda sucks, and that part was ass but yeah its a great game!" then everyones like "dude you be a hater go tr0ll elsewhere hur hur" I just got pissy because you said I failed miserably :P PS.. checka this avatar out hes yelling "WHERES MAH DURACELL I NEED BATTRIES STAT." :lol: chocolate bar fueled solid snake (another game I LOVE btw)[/QUOTE]

:lol: So does that mean you won't be picking up the Metal Gear Solid HD collection? :P

[QUOTE="dvader654"]I did a few boss fights today, one in particular was FANTASTIC, worthy of being a MGS boss fight. The game is such a thrill, there is never a moment of boredom. Even the side quests are totally awesome. The riddler trophies are by a mile the greatest collectable in an open world game of all time. They are a blast to find and figure out how to grab them. Batman's tool list is so improved, it truly feels like a Zelda inventory cause its so big and varied.[/QUOTE]

Which boss fight? I think I know the ones you're talking about, but put it in Spoiler tags and tell me, please! There's some incredibly good boss fights in this game.