Batman™: Arkham Origins

An entry that doesn't add anything new at all and gives you more of the same, although the same is still 7/10 or 8/10. Same bad guys, same plot devices, same prison break shtick, same nightmare level, same environment as Arkham City (especially due to its lifelessness - no civilians, no shops, no parks or even a traffic light). This is a typical filler title, so it's very simple: - If you played the other games and want 20+ hours more, here it is. - If you thought the last one or two Arkhams were ok, but you're prioritising due to a backlog and would only play another if it was amazing and memorable, don't bother. - If you're new to the series, play Arkham City first instead.

If you are a fan of the first two Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, you will love this one. It improves the fights and some gadgets. Don't waste money paying for the additional content. The only one worth it if you get it at a reduced price is "Cold Heart."

It seems when the Arkham games are brought up, persons are inclined to relegate Origins to second tier status behind its predecessors. I think this is unfair; there are several aspects to Origins that excel beyond the others. The Good: - The story is engaging, Batman is hunted by 8 assassins for a bounty issued by Black Mask. These villains are mostly encountered as Batman investigates the bounty and attempts to end it. - Gotham's Most Wanted side missions work better than the 'side missions' from City. In City, they felt out of place and were thrown in to add content (some are still very fun). In Origins, it makes sense that in a functioning, corrupt Gotham, there's a lot of crime and criminals lurking about. -Young, angry Batman is an interesting side of the character we don't usually get as he is always measured and composed elsewhere. You can see why villains equate him with themselves. Sometimes it's a bit much, but it's nice to see a different side of the Bat. -Major villains are mostly great. If you didn't get enough Joker from the other games, the one here is fantastic, and it doesn't stop there, Bane is solid as is Black Mask among others. -Crime scenes are interesting. Detective mode actually 'reconstructs' what happened for you to solve crimes by scanning evidence. Words aren't enough, you have to do it to get it. -New thugs including martial artists and venom users add more challenge. -The map is big with new areas and new takes on old ones. - Dark Knight system adds specific challenges in-game The Bad: -I don't generally like holiday-themed stuff, so the game being Christmas/Eve is not great. -Gadgets aren't quite as fun for me in this one, I think most of those ideas were played-out already. The Bottomline: Origins is another great Batman game of the Arkham variety. If you like the first 2, it's hard to believe you won't like this one too. Origins has a lot of great challenges worth taking on.

I'm only 14% in and so far I'm enjoying the game, kind of like Batman: Year One only in a more modern era basically. Its an enjoyable game with a great story and a super dark gothic edge. Game play wise, its nearly a clone of City so there's really nothing to say about the game play that hasn't been said about City, the combat is pretty solid just like City, most of the same moves, and both games have that Assassin's Creed 2 style of countering and fluid movement. But why didn't Bruce shave before going out to fight crime in Origins? He's always been a clean face character, so I find the scruffy look to be a bit odd but since he's supposed to be a lot younger, guess it was their way of showing he was still kind of rough around the edges. Harley Quinn is the one who deserves the next big game though, either by Rocksteady or WB Games, she's got enough history now for them to make a really good game. Yes, I realize there's a mini campaign for her in Knights, but I'd like to see a full game. She's one the best Batman characters to be created in eons, I actually like her more than the Joker sometimes.

An absolutely abominable console port. Crashing for reasons, crashing for no reasons, and freezing on fast travel. These reports are all over the internet, so shame on me for not doing research on this title. Shame on GOG for allowing it to be on their store, losing progress constantly from CTD or the well-known Fast Travel glitch, makes this game unfortunately a total waste of time, money, and energy. I have been trying to play it for days now, I think I am done and will put another developer on the "never again" list. Good job WB, this game is atrociously bad.