So, I spent a good half an hour installing Batman Arkham Asylum on my PC, fully intending to get a head start before running off to work today. What with Arkham City just around the corner, I figured it was worthwhile to brush up on the happenings prior. Well...that didn't exactly happen. Thanks to some wonderful software included with the game called "SecuROM," it's not working for me. I had installed this game over a year ago, and had no issues whatsoever. One system upgrade later, and I'm left in a frustrated heap, rocking back and forth and muttering incoherently. There are right ways to do DRM, and there are wrong ways. Honestly, there must be something better than this.
DISCLAIMER: Before people start accusing me of being anti-DRM, I just want to say
for the record that I'm opposed to DRM which excessively restricts the
games I pay for. I'll elaborate on this later on, but I figured it'd be good to get this out of the way now.
Platforms: Xbox 360, PS3, PC (Available 11/15)
Rating: Teen (Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language, Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence)
Reviewed on: Xbox 360
RockSteady software have built themselves a solid reputation over the years. They basically stepped into the gaming scene with Arkham Asylum, and made a huge splash. Two years later, they release the asylum's sequel, Batman Arkham City. I've spent the past week in this game, and let me say that the Game of the Year options this year are going to be tough to decide.
This is not going to be a final review, just my first impressions from playing the game. I will have a more thorough review when I'm done with the game.
With Assassin's Creed: Revelations on the horizon, I figured I'd go back and review the original. Even better, my girlfriend, Opp1123, has volunteered to write this review for me. So without further ado, take it away, hon!
Publisher: Ubisoft
Rating: Mature
Content: blood, strong language, and violence
System(s) Compatible: Windows PC, Playstation 3, XBox360
I had initially become interested in playing Assassin's Creed when Brotherhood had come out but due to lack of compatible systems I was unable to play. The ease of getting into the controls is makes it a game that can be picked up by just about anyone. It includes a basic tutorial that explains movement which is the perfect length of time and introduces the next abilities as they become available again.
The overall gameplay is excellent, however many of the tasks or quests that are given to the character are repetitive and can get old. What makes up for the repetitive nature of these tasks is the storyline. I have yet to finish the game but I can see a rich storyline being threaded into the gameplay. It contains aspects of character development, plot development, and constructions the scenes of the two stories so that the viewer can understand what is happening.
The most fascinating aspect about this game are the historical aspects that are interwoven into a fictional plot. While purusing the interenet I found quite a few people offended by the fact that people were portrayed in certain ways, such as the fact that the assassin's are middle eastern. What they are missing by pointing this out is that much of what occurred during the crusades include invading towns, plundering them, raping them women, and then leaving them essentially deserted. This may not have happened in Jerusalem and the other cities mentioned but it had happened in other locations. Essentially the clash between the Knights Templar and the Assassin's is over land and a pervasive religious symbol.
Part of the reason the storyline is so rich and successful is that it was created:
"Inspired by historical events and characters. This work of fiction was designed, developed, and produced by a multicultural team of various religious faiths and beliefs."
Note: Video game rating is according to the information posted on the ESRB website; information on crusades was learned in a course on Chaucer
For your Enjoyment: Opening Cinematic The Website
One thing that regularly bugs me is the when a game (or other entertainment media) is censored in a way that degrades the overall experience of the selected media. Movies do this, music on the radio does this, TV does this, and video games do it too. For the wayward youth, censorship is a real bummer. It's a road block to everything those boring adults don't want them to see. But with some entertainment, the content loses something when it gets edited. Various companies are making inroads into bridging the gap, but at what cost? How far is too far? Should the entertainment industries be playing parent?
I received quite a bit of support and visibility over my retail survey post. As such, I figured I'd give my readers an update as to what has happened since. I also want to comment on the comments that I received, as well.
Greetings, it is I, the infamous 'guinea pig' girlfriend. I will be posting a review later on next week for Assassin's Creed and eventually a review to look into how the Sims developed from the initial game to the most recent game(s) on PC, Nintendo DS, and gamecube.
To give a little background on myself I studied Philosophy with minors in Psychology and English Literature in college. I hope I will be attending graduate school in the future for psychology. Much of this background heavily influences my opinions and perspectives about gaming and other issues.
Genres: sandbox, RPGs, MMO, racing, action/adventure
Consoles: PC, XBOX360, PS2, Gamecube, Nintendo DS
Games Recently Played: Assassin's Creed, Katamari Damacy, World of Warcraft
If you are interested in checking out any of the others games that are in my library here is my raptr profile
If you're curious about the gamer tag I constructed it from the Fibonacci sequence which is a mathematical number that can be found in nature (ex. flower).
Now, this is a game that I find is impossible to classify. It's bizarre, it leaves you questioning your sanity, and it's a riot to play. Beating up the seven deadly sins has never been this politically incorrect...or this fun!
It's no secret that Nintendo maintains a family friendly image. The level of marketing to the parents of young children feels like the brunt of Nintendo's marketing budget. With the lack of Pandora's Tower and Fatal Frame 4 in the US, it's very easy to dismiss Nintendo as yet another greedy corporation who only cares about where they can make the most money. Even so, Nintendo still pays attention to their core audience in some form or another. Whether you believe it or not, the Wii has several games that cater to the interests of the hardcore gamer. Here's 5 of them that you should be interested in:
Konami released another trailer for the upcoming Silent Hill: Downpour. Let's just say that I am disappoint.
Really? Korn in my Silent Hill? I like Korn as much as the next guy, but this is a bit ridiculous. There's a reason why Akira Yamaoka left Konami for Grasshopper Manufacture. S*** like this is why.
So, I spent a good half an hour installing Batman Arkham Asylum on my PC, fully intending to get a head start before running off to work today. What with Arkham City just around the corner, I figured it was worthwhile to brush up on the happenings prior. Well...that didn't exactly happen. Thanks to some wonderful software included with the game called "SecuROM," it's not working for me. I had installed this game over a year ago, and had no issues whatsoever. One system upgrade later, and I'm left in a frustrated heap, rocking back and forth and muttering incoherently. There are right ways to do DRM, and there are wrong ways. Honestly, there must be something better than this.
