A largely mediocre session with more dumb Scarecrow fights and a scene that I’ve been looking forward to the whole game that turns out to be really disappointing. But all it takes is another predator scene to make me love you again, Batman. Spoilers within.

This session is a smorgasbord of predator scenes, cut scenes, and Scarecrow stuff. It has some good and bad, but the lines are now clear. This game is essentially about immersion through gameplay, specifically feeling like Batman. When you do Batman-ish things, the game is great. When you do game-cliched things that don’t fit in the world of the Dark Knight, the game sucks. Luckily, it’s a lot more of the former. Spoilers within.

Today, I defeat a major sub-boss and get more juicy predator scenes. Oh, the predator stuff is SO much fun. I also figure out just how deeply this game reminds me of the good stuff in the new Metroids. It’s all about running around a map and getting new tools to access things you couldn’t the first time through, but all in a strictly linear, if disguised, way.  Oh, and I get obsessed chasing an achievement, and pay the emotional consequence. Spoilers within.

A short session with another beautifully implemented time challenge and a less-than-beautifully-implemented thug fight with a twist. Game is solidly good with some moments of very, very nice design. Then my Xbox decides that I’m done for the night. Spoilers within.

Today, in a rather long play session, Arkham Asylum proved itself to be a truly hardcore game. More fights and puzzles in what is clearly the core mechanic of the game. I am also introduced to the Scarecrow segments of the game, which are an interesting cross-section of interesting narrative moments and really out-of-place gameplay. It’s honestly the first major misstep in what is shaping up to be a great game. But in the same session, a truly OSSIM time challenge. Spoilers within.

Day#2 introduces a random new gadget, and a whole new fun kind of gameplay: predator mode. This is a really well-designed play mode that’s extremely Batman. Also, narrative continues with a fairly linear plot and a few interesting/a few less-than-good moments. Spoilers within.

Arkhum Asylum was a pretty hyped game by the time I got it. The demo was strong and there are a lot of expectations around the combat and the narrative. This game could be good. He’s my first day with it, and after soon initial adjustment, it’s a great first day. Spoilers within.