The Dark Knight We Need

It’s certainly no surprise that there will be a Batman game releasing in 2009, what will the major success of the recent Dark Knight film and all. The question is, though, what type of game will it be? Rumors first pegged a Batman title to Pandemic Studios, a Santa Monica based developer that typically only deals with Real Time Strategies (RTS). For all intents and purposes, as well as common sense, lets rule out Batman the RTS. Kotaku is saying the game is rumored to be a GTA style, free-roaming rendition of Gotham City. This would probably make sense as most superhero games, upcoming DC Universe and Spider-Man: Web of Shadows included, are of this third-person style and allow players to quickly move around the given fictional city. It’s a formula that’s worked to give most DC/Marvel titles of the like moderately warm approval. But it’s not the only way things can be done and, of course, this is still only a rumor.

What may give us some certainty is news coming from NeoGAF about a confirmed Batman: Arkham Asylum title being developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Eidos. Details, sourced from NeoGAF and summed up by Joystiq, are as follows:

The Unreal Engine 3-powered game is going for a gritty, Chronicles of Riddick-esque feel. DC Comics’ Wildstorm is crafting the characters’ look. Some villains in the game include Joker, Harley Quinn, Killer Croc, Penguin, Riddler, Scarecrow and more. According to the post, Arkham Asylum is projected for a 2009 release on PC, Xbox 360 and PS3 and is not being rushed to tie into any TV or film marketing cycles.

This certainly sounds more promising, though I’m curious how the player perspective would work. Would it be like Chronicles of Riddick and be in first person, or will there be a more Metal Gear Solid, sneaking feel to it? Batman seems like the type of superhero that doesn’t like you to know he’s there until, well, he’s about to kick your ass. I’m sure you’re all as curious as I am to see how this Batman game, or games, will turn out.

Could it be that Commissioner Gordon predicted this whole discussion when he said the last line in The Dark Knight? “[Batman’s] the hero Gotham deserves, but not the one it needs right now.” Well, Commissioner, a solid Batman game is one we may not deserve, but damn, we need it.

(Update 8.13: Eidos has now completely confirmed early mumblings of a Batman: Arkham Asylum title that is planned to be a “haunting, action detective game.” Additionally, according to Warner Bros. Interactive president Martin Tremblay the game, with a story penned by the Batman Beyond (animated) writer Paul Dini, will be “graphically distinct” and “incredibly dark.")
Hat tip to Joystiq

Posted by on 08/12 at 06:42 PM