Batman: Arkham Shadow VR review: You are Batman!

Batman: Arkham Shadow

Batman: Arkham Shadow is a landmark VR release on multiple fronts from VR game developer, Camouflaj. Fresh off their previous superhero VR game, Iron Man, Meta tagged them to develop a superhero game that would coincide with the release of Meta Quest 3S. The 3S is a more affordable version of Meta's premium headset, the Quest 3. Meta wanted a standout game to highlight the launch of the 3S and the focus they wanted was Bat Signal.

What new and exclusive virtual reality game could generate the most player and media attention than Batman? In the absence of another Half Life VR game, which would require Valve's cooperation, I can't think of another. Can? A Batman VR game is a sure winner. Especially when the character already has a proven track record with their Arkham series of flat games. Fans have been dying for a new Arkham game for over a decade.

So Meta is willing to foot the bill for a high-quality, dare we say AAA, Batman Arkham game made in VR. The mission was not only to create a Batman VR game but to create one that continued the tradition and expectations of the previous games. This vision meant all aspects. Not just the look, but also the mechanics and equipment Batman uses. Additionally, the production values ​​would also require top-notch voice acting.

It's impressive how much Camouflaj has recreated so many features of the Arkham game in virtual reality. It's all here. Detective Vision, Grappling Hook, Batarangs, Puzzles, Trophies, this time they're for the Rat King, Character Viewer, Challenge Maps, Smoke Bombs, and most importantly, Combat . Camouflaj worked closely with Warner Bros. Interactive to make their game as close to the DNA of its predecessors as possible.

Arkham Shadow Story

The story of Arkham Shadow takes place between Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum. Thus, we play a younger Batman, with Roger Craig Smith providing the fresh voice, after the death of Kevin Conroy. Smith doesn't miss a beat and gets to play Batman, who is still learning and prone to losing self-control and letting his emotions, especially anger, get the better of him.

In addition to the new gameplay possibilities that virtual reality brings to Batman, Arkham Shadow focuses on a lesser-known villain, the Rat King. Rat King has a cult following where his henchmen are so devoted that they willingly give their lives in his service. The game's story uses a ticking clock approach; The Rat King promises a Day of Wrath, in which he will take revenge on those who oppress the weak.

Arkham Shadow delves even deeper into Batman's history and has segments of the game where Bruce Wayne uses an alter ego of his, Matches Malone, a low-level thug to infiltrate Blackgate Prison. The trail to locate the Rat King leads to mafia boss Carmine Falcone, who is assumed to know the identity of the Rat King. Once there, Batman has Alfred set up a makeshift Batcave beneath the prison, similar to the one set up at Arkham Asylum. For that segment of the game, you alternate between Batman and Malone.

Players experience Arkham Shadow from a first-person perspective. This change in point of view presents a major change in the way combat is conducted. The game uses a series of preset moves to mimic the combo fighting style of the flat Arkham games. They are displayed as directional arrows or as target icons overlaid on attackers. What, at first glance, is the most controversial aspect of this virtual reality game turns out to be its biggest and most pleasant surprise.

Actual physical combat

Sure, you don't have full control over how to dispatch an enemy, but the immersive nature of the combat wins. Having to throw punches, punches, combos, and counterattacks is the only highlight of Arkham Shadow that really makes you feel like a badass Batman. A great side benefit, it's also great exercise. Combat experience opens up new skills and you will soon be breaking legs with great ease.

You can also flip enemies and hit them from behind. For armed enemies, you can activate a dodge mechanism by moving the right stick in any direction but forward, which is used to turn. To avoid knife attacks, you must physically dodge them. These moves, batarangs, and explosive charges allow you to create combo attacks to overcome each challenge.

Gargoyle heads also appear in the game and offer the same functionality. You can move from one to the other to avoid or escape enemy detection. You can also throw takedowns from them or hang from them to silently lift enemies off the ground and leave them hanging. The same goes for the wall and floor grates. Use the grates on the wall to access areas without being detected. With the floor grates, you can hide behind unsuspecting enemies and swoop in to take them down silently.

Batman's famous cape also gets the virtual reality treatment. In combat, you mime grabbing it and placing it over your face to stun your opponents. This is a great defensive/offensive tool when you are surrounded by enemies. Some enemies are armored or armed and need to be stunned before effective hits can be dealt. You can also use the cape to traverse. You grab both ends and raise your arms before stepping off a ledge so you can glide to a new destination. Very immersive.

Tools and detection

In terms of tools, you also have the grappling hook, which requires just the press of a button. You also have detective vision, which uses virtual reality movements to activate. You raise a hand to the side of your head and touch your temple. The detective view totally mimics the view seen in flat games. Your vision turns the environment into a wire mesh representation with points of interest or interactivity highlighted with a yellow glow.

On the detection side, you will analyze crime scene data. You can identify chemical compounds and use their traces to locate your quarry. Sound familiar? Also familiar is the use of detective vision to figure out how to access breakable rat statues. You will also be working on codes to unlock doors to access new areas or locate grates to access ducts.

Graphically, Camouflaj has done an incredible job of integrating as much of the Arkham aesthetic as possible into a standalone headset. Visually, but with higher frame rates and resolution, the game is reminiscent of Arkham Asylum on Xbox 360. Although you can't see Batman in third person, you can look down and see your costume, your arms, and your gloved hands. . The really cool thing in VR is seeing the shadow your character casts.

As impressive as the Quest 3/3S presentation is, I can't help but long for a presentation of the game on PC or PSVR 2. The few open areas reveal the limitations of standalone VR. Only Gotham City is glimpsed. There is no free-roaming open world in Arkham Shadows. The game's story is linear and so is your journey. Additionally, the old gameplay technique of loading new areas while riding an elevator or waiting for a large door to open is also present.

Camouflage delivered

Quibbles aside, this is exceptional work by Camouflaj. Making a VR Batman game comparable to the flat versions is no easy task. You get all the elements of an Arkham game. There's exploration, combat, detective work, stealth, and puzzle solving. While it may not have the scale of a flat Arkham game, it has an engaging story with unexpected twists as you try to track down who the Rat King is.

What's also encouraging is that Camouflaj will continue to update the game with free content, such as additional challenge maps. If you haven't experienced VR yet and are a big Batman fan, you'll never have a better or more affordable opportunity to try it out with a Quest 3S/Batman bundle. Or really feel like Batman.

***Batman Arkham Shadow Meta Key provided by the publisher.***