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**Xander Ashford** · 10-31-2011, 04:49 PM

Originally posted by PracticalAl View Post

If you visit Calender Man today (Halloween), he will tell you a short story about Joker. Then he will ask you to visit him on Thanksgiving. I'm guessing every major holiday has a little story. Pretty neat Easter egg!

I believe one of the trophies is actually visiting Calendar Man 12 times (probably for each major holiday).

I had never heard of Calendar Man prior to this game, and I have to say, that it is one of the stupidest villian names.

**Stu** · 10-31-2011, 07:16 PM

re: Calendar Man. Visit him on all of the dates listed on the calendar next to his cell and you'll get a story - and eventually an achievement.

Or - you can set your console's internal clock to those specific dates if you didn't want to be patient.

Originally posted by DarkMemories View Post

Stu - I wasn't arguing that you can't call this the best game ever (though obviously I highly disagree) just that if you're going to make a claim like that you could it at least back it up.

How would one like me to back this up?!

**DarkMemories** · 10-31-2011, 07:28 PM

Something that sets it apart from other games, for instance? RE4, as you know because it was previously your favorite game, did a lot of things that made it a distinctive experience. The integration of the merchant, for example, (for better or ill), ensured that it was relatively unique experience compared to other horror and action games. It gave it a Zelda-esque flair that enhanced the experience (or hurt it, I suppose, depending on your perspective). Or precision aiming and the over-the-shoulder camera, which, while earlier utilized by Splinter Cell, became staples of TPS and Survival Horror for the last six years. Things like that, quirks that distinguish Arkham City from other games and will impact the future of gaming, things that will allow it to actually be considered one of the best games ever.

As it stands, Destructoid, I think, has the fairest and most precise view of the game, and one that actually matches up with what I experienced. Everyone else seems to be following a trend instead of actually saying something worthwhile about the game.

EDIT: Again, I'm not saying that it's a horrible game by any stretch of the imagination, just that, of all the video games ever called "best ever" it seems to me to lack any real credibility on that front. It's like GTAIV: the critics clearly adored it (see its Metacritic score) but its user score tells a different story and shows that it really wasn't that great.

**Vogue_Dirge** · 11-03-2011, 02:12 AM

I hope they create some DLC missions. The only thing I didn't like (literally the only thing) was how short the game was. And that was even with me doing side missions along with the main story line.

**Stu** · 11-03-2011, 07:55 AM

Ok, here goes! Sorry for the rant haha

Batman: Arkham Asylum was already one of the best games i've ever played. I'd struggle to think of any faults if i tried.

But Arkham City just shatters all of that for me. I completed the main storyline after two nights of seeeeriously long sessions, allowing myself to get distracted along the way - and not for one second did it ever get boring. I loved the plot, i loved the wealth of characters the game threw in, i loved how Batman controls, i love how the combat is the most satisfying i've ever come across in any game, and i especially loved just how much content they've crammed in to the game.

I mean, it's coming up to two weeks since i completed it (i'd 100%'d the main game within a few nights) and i'm STILL sinking hour after hour into it. If i'm going to draw comparisons with Resident Evil 4 i'd say that after completing that i'd take a few days off - i've certainly never dived straight back in time after time.

Like RE4, there's genuinely not a single moment in this game that bores me, or annoys me.

I was renting the game when i had my first playthrough. Thinking i wouldn't have time to finish the game, i played through on Easy, and it was a riot. Last week i bought my own copy and played through on Normal, and then New Game+, and it only raised the bar further. On an easy run you can get by without resorting to gadget use that much. Ramp the difficulty up some more and it's vital. Freeze blasting one guard, disabling two's weapons, bataranging another two to the crowd, silent takedown on another - it's all so immensely satisfying!

Then the story, which is just Batman to the letter! The story of one man's vigilante mission against the evils of Gotham City. You're cheering him on all the way, wanting to succeed - and then you're given the blunt reminder than yeah actually, none of this would be happening if it wasn't for Bruce Wayne.

I've heard the story criticised for not being as tight as that in Arkham Asylum which might be fair enough - but that's dependant i think on how you're playing the game. If you're easily distracted, i can see why you might think the story doesn't flow so well. I've played the storyline and gone back to the extras later, AND completed the storyline whilst getting distracted but i can't say i saw a problem with the story either way. That said, it's easy to see why when you have the linear nature of the confines of Arkham Aslym.

Then the side missions. On top of the ridiculous number Riddler Trophies buried within the game there's about a dozen or so sides to get on with. The ID thief, the Victor on the phones, Riddler taking hostages, the mysterious Azrael to name but a few. None of these feel tacked on, you can tell how much effort has gone in to each one! And they're basically all left open ended as to whether most could return in the future.

There's so many cute little hidden touches as well. Spoiler:

Then you've got the challenge rooms. With the combat is satisfying as it is, you can't not have fun with these, ramping up huge combos along the way in combat, or doing seperate missions on the predator maps with set goals along the way. Challenge yourself even further with the mini campaigns with set modifiers as well! Even outside of the enormous game world there's a load of content.

Since my original comment as well i've got hold of the Robin and Nightwing packs, and the extra maps that come with those are well worth the download as well!

It's just a fantastic package. Ok admittedly to say it's the best game of all time in my eyes MIGHT be premature considering that Resident Evil 4 has had incredible staying power - but right now i think the only thing that might stop me playing this in so many years is that Rocksteady have every chance of bettering this in the future! For now, i'm definitely standing by my earlier comment.

I'm raving about the game right now as it is, but there game's story leaves a ton of possibilities out their for future DLC - either adding to the story, throwing out more challenge maps - or extra side missions that don't necessarily touch the storyline.

**Zombie Fred** · 11-03-2011, 09:44 AM

Originally posted by Stu View Post

Ok, here goes! Sorry for the rant haha

Batman: Arkham Asylum was already one of the best games i've ever played. I'd struggle to think of any faults if i tried.

But Arkham City just shatters all of that for me. I completed the main storyline after two nights of seeeeriously long sessions, allowing myself to get distracted along the way - and not for one second did it ever get boring. I loved the plot, i loved the wealth of characters the game threw in, i loved how Batman controls, i love how the combat is the most satisfying i've ever come across in any game, and i especially loved just how much content they've crammed in to the game.

I mean, it's coming up to two weeks since i completed it (i'd 100%'d the main game within a few nights) and i'm STILL sinking hour after hour into it. If i'm going to draw comparisons with Resident Evil 4 i'd say that after completing that i'd take a few days off - i've certainly never dived straight back in time after time.

Like RE4, there's genuinely not a single moment in this game that bores me, or annoys me.

I was renting the game when i had my first playthrough. Thinking i wouldn't have time to finish the game, i played through on Easy, and it was a riot. Last week i bought my own copy and played through on Normal, and then New Game+, and it only raised the bar further. On an easy run you can get by without resorting to gadget use that much. Ramp the difficulty up some more and it's vital. Freeze blasting one guard, disabling two's weapons, bataranging another two to the crowd, silent takedown on another - it's all so immensely satisfying!

Then the story, which is just Batman to the letter! The story of one man's vigilante mission against the evils of Gotham City. You're cheering him on all the way, wanting to succeed - and then you're given the blunt reminder than yeah actually, none of this would be happening if it wasn't for Bruce Wayne.

I've heard the story criticised for not being as tight as that in Arkham Asylum which might be fair enough - but that's dependant i think on how you're playing the game. If you're easily distracted, i can see why you might think the story doesn't flow so well. I've played the storyline and gone back to the extras later, AND completed the storyline whilst getting distracted but i can't say i saw a problem with the story either way. That said, it's easy to see why when you have the linear nature of the confines of Arkham Aslym.

Then the side missions. On top of the ridiculous number Riddler Trophies buried within the game there's about a dozen or so sides to get on with. The ID thief, the Victor on the phones, Riddler taking hostages, the mysterious Azrael to name but a few. None of these feel tacked on, you can tell how much effort has gone in to each one! And they're basically all left open ended as to whether most could return in the future.

There's so many cute little hidden touches as well. Spoiler:

Then you've got the challenge rooms. With the combat is satisfying as it is, you can't not have fun with these, ramping up huge combos along the way in combat, or doing seperate missions on the predator maps with set goals along the way. Challenge yourself even further with the mini campaigns with set modifiers as well! Even outside of the enormous game world there's a load of content.

Since my original comment as well i've got hold of the Robin and Nightwing packs, and the extra maps that come with those are well worth the download as well!

It's just a fantastic package. Ok admittedly to say it's the best game of all time in my eyes MIGHT be premature considering that Resident Evil 4 has had incredible staying power - but right now i think the only thing that might stop me playing this in so many years is that Rocksteady have every chance of bettering this in the future! For now, i'm definitely standing by my earlier comment.

I'm raving about the game right now as it is, but there game's story leaves a ton of possibilities out their for future DLC - either adding to the story, throwing out more challenge maps - or extra side missions that don't necessarily touch the storyline.

Couldn't agree more; Batman Arkham City has to be goty for me, without a doubt. It doesn't get more epic than fighting 20 ninjas piling onto you and fighting them all off in one hit Spoiler:

and everything about it is perfect (dat music score). Rocksteady really are talented.

**Stu** · 11-03-2011, 09:47 AM

Christ i didn't even mention the music!!

Loved the twist ending - but loved the telling sign in a previous battle!

**Dark_Chris** · 11-03-2011, 03:32 PM

Arkham Asylum was better game storywise. Everything else is better in AC. But still story is the most important part of the game so AC is disappointment fo me. Overall 8,5/10.

**aris13** · 11-03-2011, 04:10 PM

Who gives a shit about the story when the game is that fucking good.

**Zombie Fred** · 11-03-2011, 04:13 PM