Batman: Arkham City environment five times bigger than the Asylum
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Though the eerie, psychopath-filled buildings that constituted the titular stomping grounds of Batman: Arkham Asylum were pretty expansive, we felt like we'd completely turned it over during our hunt for the Riddler's secrets. We prefer our in-game locales to be virtually impossible to fully explore -- and it sounds like Batman: Arkham City might just cater to these needs. In an interview with Gamespot, Rocksteady developer Sefton Hill explained, "The footprint of Arkham City is about five times bigger than Arkham Island."
Don't fear getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the crime-filled metropolis, though, as Hill explained, "Players will be able to go anywhere at any time, but we have made sure that players will always have a very clear idea of where they are needed most if they want to just stick to the core narrative path of the game." He added that there will be plenty of dark alleys and side streets littered with secrets to uncover. Hopefully, Bats will retain his ability to see through walls.
Don't fear getting lost in the hustle and bustle of the crime-filled metropolis, though, as Hill explained, "Players will be able to go anywhere at any time, but we have made sure that players will always have a very clear idea of where they are needed most if they want to just stick to the core narrative path of the game." He added that there will be plenty of dark alleys and side streets littered with secrets to uncover. Hopefully, Bats will retain his ability to see through walls.
Reader Comments (55)
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:25PM eat it said
I hope it's not too big. the first one seemed just right. Perhaps there will be less backtracking and more advancing through the bigger environment
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:44PM MLS said
@eat it
I'm already sold, but a bit bummed out knowing that (like all games in a city) a lot of the buildings will just have painted on doors that can never be opened. What I loved about the limited size of Arkham Asylum was that it felt like I had explored every single room of every building on the entire island.
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I'm already sold, but a bit bummed out knowing that (like all games in a city) a lot of the buildings will just have painted on doors that can never be opened. What I loved about the limited size of Arkham Asylum was that it felt like I had explored every single room of every building on the entire island.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:26PM The angry pro consumer gaming ga said
Already have this on preorder from Amazon, must start paying these early with games like Uncharted 3, ME3, and Skyrim coming out during the holiday season.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:31PM mywhitenoise said
@The angry pro consumer gaming ga
Amazon doesn't charge you until it ships.
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Amazon doesn't charge you until it ships.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:26PM Miranda Lawson said
So much money needed to dish out on games this year. Exited for it nonetheless.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 9:40PM Miranda Lawson said
@Unvrfd I just finally noticed that typo I made, which makes the joke on me that much worse.
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Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:27PM SkyMasterson said
Hmm I'll be impressed if this game doesn't get delayed.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:28PM JONNNathannn said
I'm so excited for this. It sounds like a good balance of main quest and exploration.
All the nasty, dingy corridors and endless vents got old in AA. Playing in a city sounds much more exciting to me.
All the nasty, dingy corridors and endless vents got old in AA. Playing in a city sounds much more exciting to me.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:38PM oOWallaceOo said
@JONNNathannn
I am in the opposite camp, I loved that AA was so tight and enclosed. It really got the idea of Batman being trapped across well. I don't think a city will work the same way.
Don't get me wrong I am really excited for this game, but it reminds me of the first two Resident Evil movies. The first one they are trapped in the Hive (like Batman in AA) giving a creepy vibe to the film. In Apocalypse having it take place in the city I felt it lost some of what made the first movie good.
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I am in the opposite camp, I loved that AA was so tight and enclosed. It really got the idea of Batman being trapped across well. I don't think a city will work the same way.
Don't get me wrong I am really excited for this game, but it reminds me of the first two Resident Evil movies. The first one they are trapped in the Hive (like Batman in AA) giving a creepy vibe to the film. In Apocalypse having it take place in the city I felt it lost some of what made the first movie good.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:21PM shatteredminds said
@JONNNathannn "I loved that AA was so tight and enclosed. It really got the idea of Batman being trapped across well. I don't think a city will work the same way. " Well no, I don't think that that is their aim with the vibe of the game being set in the city either though. I'd imagine they're going for a dark, gritty city with crime on every corner rather than trying to make you feel trapped.
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Posted: Feb 1st 2011 4:25PM whylekat said
@eat it
I doubt it.. Dead Space 2 seems more linear then you realize while playing it. The narrative constantly pushes you foward but I got the impression that if I stayed in a room for too long, eventually more Necros would spawn. And I didn't seem to get any items from their dead corpses so it seemed they were generating simply to push me foward or discourage me on going back (the few times the door behind you doesn't lock anyway)
Batman: AA seems more like an normal open world city sandbox , do whatever whenever wherever you like. You definitely don't have that option in Dead Space 2.
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I doubt it.. Dead Space 2 seems more linear then you realize while playing it. The narrative constantly pushes you foward but I got the impression that if I stayed in a room for too long, eventually more Necros would spawn. And I didn't seem to get any items from their dead corpses so it seemed they were generating simply to push me foward or discourage me on going back (the few times the door behind you doesn't lock anyway)
Batman: AA seems more like an normal open world city sandbox , do whatever whenever wherever you like. You definitely don't have that option in Dead Space 2.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:45PM pibs said
I don't wanna hear your excuses! The game has to be at least... three times bigger than this!
*Mugatu:* He's absolutely right.¯\_(ツ)_/¯
*Mugatu:* He's absolutely right.¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:45PM LENSconcept said
i....need to go change.... I hope they keep the same level of quality though. The visual quality of AA is one of the best I've seen on consoles (for it's time).
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:45PM iBrose said
am I wrong for not caring about this game? a few friends of told me AA was a must buy, & I did, & (to me) it's BORING. will making the landscape larger raise my enjoyment? or will I sit in a dark Arkham alley & silently hate it?
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:21PM ComicShaman said
@iBrose
You're not wrong for not caring about any given game. Hey, we've all got our own tastes.
You are wrong, however, to think that announcing it on a thread about the game in question impresses anybody. It does not give you some kind of "rebel cred" to say you don't like a popular game. It just makes you look like an attention-seeking tool.
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You're not wrong for not caring about any given game. Hey, we've all got our own tastes.
You are wrong, however, to think that announcing it on a thread about the game in question impresses anybody. It does not give you some kind of "rebel cred" to say you don't like a popular game. It just makes you look like an attention-seeking tool.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:47PM SamE said
"Players will be able to go anywhere at any time"
So we can guarantee some Batmobile action ;)
Hopefully its not just a fancy taxi cab :S
So we can guarantee some Batmobile action ;)
Hopefully its not just a fancy taxi cab :S
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:47PM Drew Daddi said
This is good.only if it keeps the metriod style of gameplay. Footprint can also just mean outdoor area, which arkham asylum was actually small. It was the inside of buildings that were layered. I wonder if we'll be venturing indoors at all this game
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 2:47PM xGeneral DEATHxDEETH82 said
Riddler Symbol Huntan
Henchmen Crunchan
Hostage Rescue-an
Batarang Tossan
Henchmen Crunchan
Hostage Rescue-an
Batarang Tossan
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 6:51PM iBrose said
the game being fun is arguable, and as far as adventure youre stuck on an island, and doing the same 1-2 punch on the same enemy over and over. I'm only 10% thru the games main story, & there's nothing really pulling me to complete it, my question is as remains. will bigger mean better? will I spend my time roaming empty alleys, instead of empty hallways?
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Posted: Feb 1st 2011 10:47PM Youthinized said
But we're not going to be in a crime-filled Metropolis! We're going to be in a crime-filled Gotham!
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Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:20PM Courtney said
Eh, I don't really buy that bigger is better in most game worlds. Typically, bigger just means more empty space that doesn't actually have any impact on the game. It also seems to end up creating some laziness in general design. Rather than focusing on making the entire world great and balanced, only key areas are focused on, leaving the rest of the world just kind of so-so.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 7:31PM mcnerven said
@Noksukow
I completely agree! I think 90% of my time with that game was running around doing absolutely nothing. When something awesome would finally happen it'd make me sad to go back to the boring travel parts.
IMO it's always better to play a game that leaves you wanting more rather than a game that overstays its welcome. The former is a replayable experience and the latter always a chore to complete, especially if the dreaded fetch quests are involved...
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I completely agree! I think 90% of my time with that game was running around doing absolutely nothing. When something awesome would finally happen it'd make me sad to go back to the boring travel parts.
IMO it's always better to play a game that leaves you wanting more rather than a game that overstays its welcome. The former is a replayable experience and the latter always a chore to complete, especially if the dreaded fetch quests are involved...
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 3:56PM RKN said
PC tag please!
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 4:41PM CamelCamelCamel said
Then I'd damn well better be able to drive the Batmobile! If he thinks I'm going to jump & glide, jump & glide, jump & glide over an area that big, he's crazy.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 5:27PM CamelCamelCamel said
@whylekat Oh, well THAT sounds more fun than driving the Batmobile.
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Posted: Feb 1st 2011 4:58PM chronicus pr1me said
I think i'll stick with DCUO. I had a lot more fun than when i played AA. I never beat that game actually.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 5:12PM jcm618 said
5X larger seems way too much....I for one do not like all the travel time between objectives.....I gots stuff to do. Also, I do not care one bit about collecting all the little trophies and stuff, so hopefully they will allow quick travel through the linear story (personally hated the travel in AA).
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 5:19PM Cerpin Taxt said
From a logical standpoint, that ALMOST makes sense.
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 5:55PM Uracat said
Hopefully you get to drive the Batmobile to Batstores and buy Bat-related items with your Batcreditcard!
Posted: Feb 1st 2011 6:24PM whylekat said
@Uracat
Easily the best scene in the whole film..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/whylekat/ec750267.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0UJaprpxrk
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Easily the best scene in the whole film..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v91/whylekat/ec750267.jpg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0UJaprpxrk






