Casval said:
You're kind of looking at it from a very gamey point of view though.
Of course I am. It's a video game.
A lot of people play this game so they can play *as Batman*. That's the most important part.
Not to me it isn't. Just because AA is a more fleshed out Batman experience that previous games doesn't excuse its flaws.
You could say the same about Splinter Cell's different vision modes, or how in Hitman, you could always just pick up a sniper and shoot the guy, but the real fun in these games comes from the role-playing aspect.
No, I don't think you could say that about Splinter Cell's vision modes. Like if you use night vision in a lit room I am pretty sure you can't see a damn thing. And I haven't played Hitman but if there's one easy solution to every hit then it's a poorly designed game.
Arkham nicks a lot of features from other games, and it feels very natural. Very polished. But they're almost all as simplified as you can get without the game playing itself. As far as polish and presentation go the game is AAA, but in the story mode there's not much there for folks who value mechanics more than setpieces.
The challenges are a little more meaty at least.
Zeliard said:
What did you want, some kind of timer on it? That would be idiotic. It's a technological feature of Batman's cowl and he should be able to use it whenever he wants. Since you're playing as Batman, that means you should be able to use it whenever you want. And that includes playing the entire game in blue, if you choose to. How is that even remotely a real criticism of the game (particularly when you don't have to use detective mode if you don't want to, except when you're following a trail)?
This is what we're gonna get whenever someone says anything slightly negative about the game's mechanics, huh? "It's not a problem because you're BATMAN, duh!"
There are plenty of games with stupid features that you don't have to use if you don't want to. That doesn't make them any less stupid. I didn't want a timer specifically, but in the games Rocksteady nicked this mechanic from the different viewing modes tend to have drawbacks other than "makes the game slightly less pretty." Almost all the features in the game are tailored for living out a Bat-fantasy rather than gameplay depth. It's all window dressing. It seems like most folks are cool with that, but I'm disappointed cuz they're sooo close to making a game I'd love but they played it too safe.
Don't start blaming the game for a weak will. Not a single thing is forcing you to play the entire game in blue except yourself.
Fuck this is so stupid it hurts. People who take advantage of gameplay features are weak willed now? Is anyone who picks Sagat in SF4 weak willed? Anyone who picks up container hearts in Wind Waker? That game was too easy but let's just blame the players for using the items offered, not the developer for dumbing down the game. Right? Fuck.
His issue is with how automated the combat is.
No, that's not his only issue. Let me quote his post again:
"Cool game, but it seems like the gameplay is too automatic. Like to get out of a room or onto a high structure, all you have to do is press R and Batman will shoot his grappling hook at some random thing on the ceiling or wall, requiring no perception, accuracy or dexterity on my part. Then press R to get to the next thing, whether you know where it is or not. The fighting so far is just tappy tappy win win, too. Still a fun game, presentation and atmosphere carry it."
One line about combat. The rest was about moving through the environment. Which IS awfully automated. You can't fail. Even if hard makes the combat and stealth sections more difficult you still have the automated platforming and shallow puzzles and exploration, which makes up most of the game.
Crunched said:
It's like the blue line in Dead Space or Shadow Complex, an optional guide that's there for you to reference if you ever feel the need. I'm another one who doesn't understand the criticism. If we want to really get into it, why not just get rid of easy mode? Why play on normal or hard when they take more effort?
Oh it's a far bigger deal than either of those. It's like if you combined both of those features, but also added the ability to see through fucking walls. It's like all the required visors from Metroid Prime plus its optional hint mode rolled into one.