Batman Arkham Asylum is now available as a playable demo on Xbox LIVE, and is absolutely not to be missed. Creators Rocksteady Studios introduce a very different and utterly compelling experience to what we’re used to with Batman on console.
Arriving at Arkham Asylum to personally oversee the delivery of arch-enemy The Joker, you’ll soon learn that the Dark Knight has become a dynamic new videogame hero. This is spectacularly unveiled as the “FreeFlow Combat” engine, allowing Batman to attack, stun and evade multiple attackers with deadly grace.
When the hand-over goes haywire, thanks to The Joker having help on the inside, you are immediately thrust into the heart of Asylum where Gotham’s most notorious villains are waiting to exact revenge on their captor. This is your opportunity in the demo to attempt a perfect combo of hits while evading damage to Batman. The FreeFlow system feels beautiful, intuitively laid out on the ABXY buttons. With enough practice you’ll see Batman move effortlessly from one foe to the next, dealing precision blows until every last one has fallen.
Also included in the demo is your first experience “Invisible Predator” gameplay, as Batman attempts to outmanoeuvre one of Arkham’s most sinister villains, Mr Zsasz. Find a way to sneak behind Mr Zsasz by using Gargoyles hidden in the rafters, a technique that will soon be tested much more extensively versus armed adversaries. Cape glide, Batarang or sneak up behind to perform a silent takedown. How you approach each situation is entirely up to you, but always looks uncommonly cool.
All Xbox LIVE subscribers can download the Batman Arkham Asylum demo from today. Gold subscribers will also be happy to know that an exclusive Batman Theme is coming your way at the end of August, so keep that one on your sonar.
