So I played it.
It starts off in the beginning like everyone has been saying. I wonder if some of the cut-scenes were taken out for time saving reasons because it seems like there isn't a proper intro to the game, who knows.
Im guessing most of you guys know the gist of this game so I wont go into too much detail. The demo pretty much introduces you to each fundamental aspect of the gameplay. There's the hand to hand combat, the stealth gameplay and the gadgets. Hand to hand combat is pretty basic, press square to attack, a few times in a row will do a combo where it goes in slow mo and knocks the guy down. I can see that kinda getting old but its pretty standard stuff. Once hes down you can finish him off with R2 and Triangle. Theres also countering with Triangle. Once the enemy is about to attack he will have something above his head pop up, and you simply press triangle to counter it. I wish it was harder to counter, its very forgiving with no real consequence for mashing triangle. Anyway, im sure they are suppose to be easy, you are the goddamn batman after all.
Theres also a night vision type thing where you can see enemies through walls, if they are armed or not, peoples heart beat and their emotional state (im sure that will come into play throughout the game) and key points of interest: Things like vents that can be opened and points where you can grapple (gargoyles). The game seems really easy because it points out everything, you never have to figure out where you have to go cause of this gadget. Gargoyles are these statues you climb (seems like the only thing you can grapple on) where you can hunt the enemies from above and swing from statue to statue. Its really easy, you just have to have the camera in the vicinity of the statue and press R1 (it will even tell you to press R1) and off you go. From here you can hang inverted from it, which I havent seen the use of yet but it looks cool. If there is an enemy under the statue, you press Triangle to pick him up, and drop him from the top of the statue and he hangs from a rope. Again, it will notify you to press Triangle so timing isnt really important. If the enemy is further away but relatively straight to your position, you can press square to glide and kick him which takes him out. I would have really preferred it if you had to do it manually. You can glide off statues but I dont think you can attack while in mid air? If would be a lot more satisfying instead of just tapping a button. I did manage to jump off a statue and land on a guy with X though. Guards will patrol the area so you have to be careful they dont find the dead bodies or they will come after you like when you are alerted in MGS. It wont take much to take the batman down with guns either. If you are alerted you just grapple to a statue, than hop to a few more and they will lose you. Its pretty fun stalking people from atop though, you have to scope out the area and plan your moves, you feel pretty bad ass. You can also aim and throw those things (sorry dont know too much about batman lol). I never tried throwing it at someone though.
As far as graphics go, they are pretty great! Some aliasing here and there but generally its really cohesive and gritty. Batmans model looks really nice and the cape moves fluidly. Sound is average I guess, decent music adds to the atmosphere.
The demo ends right at a boss, what a tease. Im sure theres more they left out, I think there was 3 buttons I never pressed once, excluding the dpad. It seems like a solid game though, hopefully they keep it interesting throughtout with well thought out boss fights, set pieces and missions and varied environments (relatively, I know its a prison and all). Oh, I also love the way it the screen has a comic book affect when you pause it, nice little touches like that really add to a game like this. I think anyone wanting a good batman game will be pleased.
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