The Dark Knight has starred in video games for years and years. Some games like the NES Batman are classics and some like the recent Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu are utter failures. In steps in Electronic Arts, known for strong movie tie ins, to put together a game for Batman Begins. Does this game live up to the movie or is it a bomb like EA’s other movie inspired DC Comics game Catwoman?
In the game you’ll take control of both Batman and Bruce Wayne along the general plot of the movie. You’ll start off with a face off with a darker looking Scarecrow, who loses the cartoonish costume for a suit and with a burlap sack face. From this point the game backtracks where you’re in the shoes of Bruce Wayne learning the ninja arts. Deep in the Legion of Shadows Bruce learns that his weapon needs to be "fear" instead of raw power. This is one of the "unique" aspects of the game. Building a reputation of a feared vigilante gives Batman the upper hand. You can do this by interrogating foes with swift punches between questions. Or more commonly by interacting with the stages. If you see an overhead crate you can hit it with a batarang to cause it crashing down, startling any nearby crooks. Unfortunately, interaction with the stages isn’t free form, you’re forced to do what has been set up by the level design. There are no options to throw crates where ever you want or even toss your batarang on your own will. Because of the limited interaction the fear system gets boring quick.
Another way to build up your reputation is to use a Splinter Cell inspired stealth mode. By pressing R3 Batman will shift to a crawling stance, make less noise and be able to sneak up on enemies for quick knockouts. Using stealth eliminates the competition quickly and allows Batman to face less foes. This is essential because Batman is mortal in the game. A few bullets or flying fists to the face puts Bats out for the count. You’re probably wondering why a superhero like Batman can’t simply enter a room and start whomping on foes. We’re wondering the same thing. If this game was intended to be a beat-em up it would be logical to have Batman come into the room and go nuts with his martial arts skills. Instead you have a basic single button combo attack that visually changes attacks. If you’re in the right situation an action command will show up. Launching the action command allows Batman to do a new attack like a kick that can hit two enemies or a finishing blow. If EA bothered to add in timed moves, why not give players the option of when to use them with button commands instead of pop-ups. The pop-up attacks are the same types of attacks used over and over, not cinematic special attacks like in God of War. Having these attacks as pre-set pop-ups forces Batman Begins to be a single button masher.
To keep players from being thoroughly bored with the stealth and fighting gameplay a few Batmobile driving stages are thrown into the game. In these stages you drive a straight path as fast as possible. You can pick up speed by picking up turbo speed capsules. Get enough speed and you can perform flashier takedowns, to mow down enemy cars. While these levels are only a couple of minutes long, they’re a break from the main game.
The graphics in Batman Begins are decent enough. You have movie styled visuals along the same lines of the Lord of the Rings games. Some atmospheric and gritty backgrounds suit the theme of the game. The character models are pretty good, mainly Batman’s and the major villains. The game could use some enemy variety, you’re fighting the same common thugs over and over. At least have a color change here and there. Overall the graphics are nothing grandiose, but visuals that make a passing grade. The voice acting is where the game sets a mark. Featuring an all star cast from the movie, Batman Begins doesn’t disappoint here. In fact the game actually has plenty of clips from the film, which shows the high level of continuity with the film. Props to EA for this.
Batman Begins is a short game, easily completed in a couple of days. Playing it over unlocks other costumes for Batman, skins for the Batmobile and a couple of extra movie clips. Nothing spectacular, which will make gamers come back for round two. Batman Begins is one of the better Batman games in a while, which Batman fans will appreciate. Despite being an improvement over other titles, the game is short lasting and unspectacular. This files Batman Begins in the rental pile, unless you need to own everything Batman.
Import Friendly? Literacy Level: 0
The US version, as expected, is entirely in English. We’re unsure about any language differences in the Asian version.
US Bound?
Already released in the US and in your local store.
+ Pros: A star filled cast and three different styles of gameplay.
– Cons: Having three poorly executed gameplay styles instead of one solid style.
Overall: Far from the best Batman game out there in regards to gameplay. Batman Begins’ main redeeming quality is the collaboration with the film.
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