• Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.

Batman: Arkham Shadow | Review Thread

Draugoth

Gold Member
uhgoihoiup.jpg

Game Information​

Game Title: Batman: Arkham Shadow

Platforms:

  • Meta Quest (Oct 22, 2024)
Trailers:

Developer: Camouflaj

Publisher: Oculus Studios


Critic Reviews​

Daily Mirror - Aaron Potter - 4 / 5

Batman: Arkham Shadow is easily the best the Bat has ever played in VR, iterating upon the design tentpoles of its flat screen counterparts to make roleplaying as the Dark Knight a real thrill. While there are currently some technical drawbacks preventing it from achieving true greatness, it’s attention to detail with regards to the world and what you can do with in it ultimately make up for these challenges and makes the game feel like a genuine part of the Arkhamverse. If you want to fully step into the boots of Batman like never before it being a Meta Quest 3 means it’s a high price for entry, but you absolutely owe it to yourself to play Batman: Arkham Shadow.

Digital Trends - Giovanni Colantonio - 4 / 5

Batman: Arkham Shadow isn't just a great VR game; it's one of the best Batman games ever.

Game Rant - Dalton Cooper - 8 / 10

Batman: Arkham Shadow successfully translates the Arkham experience to the VR space with hard-hitting combat and an engrossing atmosphere.

Gaming Nexus - Eric Hauter - 8 / 10

At times, Arkham Shadow is the coolest VR game ever made. But a bevy of game-stopping bugs and some of the sharpest difficulty spikes I've ever encountered keep this bat from immediately soaring. An incredible - and incredibly gorgeous - VR translation of core Arkham mechanics, but still too rough around the edges for such a prestige franchise. Give it a couple of weeks and it will be a nigh-perfect experience, but it's a shame it's releasing in this condition.

GamingTrend - David Burdette - 90 / 100

Batman: Arkham Shadow is the latest must-buy VR title, and does its namesake justice. Being Batman is something you dream of, and Camouflaj has done great work in putting you under the cowl. Where some teams would simply offer a short VR experience, the team has crafted a game rich in depth between combat, exploration, and story.

IGN - Dan Stapleton - 8 / 10

Batman: Arkham Shadow makes most of the Arkham series' defining gameplay work respectably well in VR, and its mystery story pays off.

Metro GameCentral - Nick Gillett - 9 / 10

Not only one of the best VR experiences ever made but one of the best Batman games too, with a fantastically immersive simulation of the Dark Knight Detective, that's just as good as the other Arkham games.

Siliconera - Graham Russell - 8 / 10

While it may not have the immersive mechanics to be a great VR introduction, Batman: Arkham Shadow is fun to play and faithful to its Arkham predecessors. And yeah, picking off enemies one-by-one feels great.
 
Last edited:

FoxMcChief

Gold Member
Very cool. I’m loving the game. I’m going at a snails pace and exploring everything! I don’t want the game to ever end.
 

Romulus

Member
Despite the fact that an 8/10 average is good, its sells it short in a way. I'll explain.

Every review I've seen was before the "day 1" patch to fix some pretty bad glitches and bugs. The main negative in most every review were these bugs.

It'd say now that the patch has been released, its easily a 9/10 average. Maybe slightly higher.

I'm absolutely loving every second of it. I'd say its right there with Alyx as a VR AAA game, and right next to Batman Arkham Asylum as a Batman game. It's one of those "what if" games that you wouldn't think would ever happen, but it did.
 
Last edited:

FoxMcChief

Gold Member
This game puts you in Batman’s shoes. I’m sure I look like a dope doing combat, but fucking hell, you feel like a bad ass in the game.

You have to play the game in order to truly understand how it’s incredible.
 

Romulus

Member
This game puts you in Batman’s shoes. I’m sure I look like a dope doing combat, but fucking hell, you feel like a bad ass in the game.

You have to play the game in order to truly understand how it’s incredible.

I honestly hoped they would at least nail the combat and predator versions, and they did. But what i didn't expect was the story to be one of the best yet, and its weaved through a campaign that I can't wait to finish.

Good reviews. Hope it one day comes to
PSVR2

The developers already stated it won't come to other platforms. The game was funded by meta and the studio is owned by them too. And as time passes, they're more and more exclusive oriented for pushing their standalones. It sucks, but in a way I think they got it right with what sells.
 
Last edited:
The developers already stated it won't come to other platforms. The game was funded by meta and the studio is are owned by them. And as time passes, they're more and more exclusive oriented for pushing their standalones. It sucks, but in a way I think they got it right with what sells.

That sucks. I’m not buying a meta quest for it. I’m not sure permanent exclusivity is the right call in a space as niche as VR

You’d think meta would want to earn back more ROI with a license property like this
 
Last edited:

Romulus

Member
That sucks. I’m not buying a meta quest for it. I’m not sure permanent exclusivity is the right call in a space as niche as VR

You’d think meta would want to earn back more ROI with a license property like this

I think the way they see is they are the dominant sales platform in VR anyway. Porting it to devices with a small % of the user base isn't worth losing it as a must have. I'd wager all the PCVR/PSVR2 headsets combined aren't 30% of the Quest 3s, especially after the holidays with this game. It's outselling every console on Amazon.

But you're right. But I see you posting alot of VR stuff, if you can at least borrow or buy and return a Quest to play it for the experience, I recommend it highly. It's that good for a VR gamer. And if you're a batman fan, its an absolutely must.
 

FoxMcChief

Gold Member
I think RGT85's review sums it up how surprisingly good it is. He's not a big VR gamer but he loved the Arkham series.



Review is 100% accurate. Right now, my games of the year are AstroBot and Batman, and I’m starting to lean towards Batman.

Is there only a stand alone quest version of this? No PC option for higher fidelity?
Quest 3 exclusive. No other way to play it. Getting the Quest Optimizer app side loaded into the Quest 3 definitely adds fidelity though.

The Quest 3 lenses, plus the QO is incredible.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GHG

Romulus

Member
Is there only a stand alone quest version of this? No PC option for higher fidelity?

No. But most of us in the Batman threads are using Quest optimizer and unlocking the GPU so the resolution can get to 130-150%. I can tell you with these art assets, it looks like a middling PCVR game, especially when dailing up the resolution to take advantage of Quest 3's lenses. I've played Alyx on 4070ti and UEVR weekly. It's damn impressive.
 

GHG

Member
Quest 3 exclusive. No other way to play it. Getting the Quest Optimizer app side loaded into the Quest 3 definitely adds fidelity though.

The Quest 3 lenses, plus the QO is incredible.

No. But most of us in the Batman threads are using Quest optimizer and unlocking the GPU so the resolution can get to 130-150%. I can tell you with these art assets, it looks like a middling PCVR game, especially when dailing up the resolution to take advantage of Quest 3's lenses. I've played Alyx on 4070ti and UEVR weekly. It's damn impressive.

Thanks for the info guys.

Think I'll pull the trigger this weekend, this sounds amazing.
 

FoxMcChief

Gold Member
I think the way they see is they are the dominant sales platform in VR anyway. Porting it to devices with a small % of the user base isn't worth losing it as a must have. I'd wager all the PCVR/PSVR2 headsets combined aren't 30% of the Quest 3s, especially after the holidays with this game. It's outselling every console on Amazon.

But you're right. But I see you posting alot of VR stuff, if you can at least borrow or buy and return a Quest to play it for the experience, I recommend it highly. It's that good for a VR gamer. And if you're a batman fan, its an absolutely must.
I was a Batman fanatic as a kid. I remember having comics, toys, backpacks, birthday cakes, etc. I had it all.

So BEING BATMAN in this game definitely did something to that inner child still in me. Like on an emotional level. Hard for me to articulate.
 

Romulus

Member
Thanks for the info guys.

Think I'll pull the trigger this weekend, this sounds amazing.

Yeah, and you'll be playing post patch. In that state, its easily GOTY contender. Be sure you hit us up about QGO settings and contrast experimental options to deepen the blacks. With those things combined, I think most everyone would be blown away, espeically people going into thinking this is some "mobile trash" game. Hell no.
 
Last edited:

DenchDeckard

Moderated wildly
Review is 100% accurate. Right now, my games of the year are AstroBot and Batman, and I’m starting to lean towards Batman.


Quest 3 exclusive. No other way to play it. Getting the Quest Optimizer app side loaded into the Quest 3 definitely adds fidelity though.

The Quest 3 lenses, plus the QO is incredible.

I got the quest optimiser app but haven't installed it yet.

Ill give this a go tonight without it and see how it looks. Ive owned it for days but have been so busy to try it.
 

MacReady13

Member
I think I will be getting a Quest 3 in next week or so. Really think VR is the big leap gaming NEEDS to take so I'm keen to get it and play this game.
 

Minsc

Gold Member
That sucks. I’m not buying a meta quest for it. I’m not sure permanent exclusivity is the right call in a space as niche as VR

You’d think meta would want to earn back more ROI with a license property like this

One could ask why Sony doesn't allow RE4 and RE8 VR ports on Steam. And Horizon. Why do I need to buy a PS5 for them? Especially when there's already flat versions of RE4 and RE8 on PC already.
 
  • Like
Reactions: GHG

Romulus

Member
I think I will be getting a Quest 3 in next week or so. Really think VR is the big leap gaming NEEDS to take so I'm keen to get it and play this game.

For me, its the only "next gen" jump remaining. I think going from ps3-ps4 was the last time I experienced a true leap forward before VR.

VR did that again for me and I thought it wouldn't happen again.
 
Last edited:

MacReady13

Member
For me, its the only "next gen" jump remaining. I think going from ps3-ps4 was the last time I experienced a true leap forward before VR.

VR did that again for me and I thought it wouldn't happen again.
I've been a big proponent of VR. Loved the PSVR. Got the Quest 2 and adored it and was playing PSVR2 all weekend. I am really looking forward to playing Batman on the Quest 3. Might go with the 3 and not the 3S...
 

Romulus

Member
This is one of my favorite VR channels.

Pretty sure this is a post day 1 patch review. These guys give comprehensive VR reviews and are typically critical. 9.5/10




And of course, everyone knows this channel

 
Last edited:

FunkMiller

Member
Having now completed this, I can safely say it's easily the best game produced exclusively for the Quest 3, and one of the best VR games you can get, period.

It's also a very decent Arkham game... probably better than Origins certainly, if not quite on a par with the others.

There are some plot contrivances I didn't like, where the devs seem to want to make Batman's world very, very small, by having every major event in the character's life revolve around only a very few people, but that's the only real story complaint I have. The gameplay is basically full on Arkham again, which was fantastic to get back into again. Using Matches as a character was pretty inspired too.

Arguably this is the game Rocksteady should have made, instead of that Suicide Squad slop. 9/10.
 

keefged4

Member
I'm actively pushing myself to play VR more as I have a Quest 3 and have hardly used it, so put some time into this yesterday. The game is amazing and it's a shame its locked to Meta, I have a PSVR2 coming and would love to play this with the OLED panel it has.
 

Romulus

Member
I'm actively pushing myself to play VR more as I have a Quest 3 and have hardly used it, so put some time into this yesterday. The game is amazing and it's a shame its locked to Meta, I have a PSVR2 coming and would love to play this with the OLED panel it has.

I think both platforms have their advantages. Wireless is huge for me in this game especially turning back and forth. And using Quest optimizer the quest 3 has increased resolution.

BTW there is an update out today.
 
Last edited:

keefged4

Member
I think both platforms have their advantages. Wireless if huge for me in this game especially turning back and forth. And using Quest optimizer the quest 3 has increased resolution.
Sorry should have clarified, I'm meaning PC VR specifically, I have a PS5 but dont intend on using VR2 with it much haha
 

Wonko_C

Member
So it will or not come to other platforms? Cmon don't be a clickbait machine.
It's not coming: Camouflaj is a first party studio of Meta, Batman Arkham Shadow is a first party game for the Quest platform. Still I recommend you give the video (and the previous 4) a watch. It's always cool to see developers be part of the community like this.
 

Romulus

Member
Outside of Batman are there any other Meta Quest games of this caliber that are worth plunking down $300-$500?

I'm biased, but no VR game comes close to this except batman and Alyx. Very different style and you have to enjoy puzzles/combat and realize the tutorial is probably 8 hours. It's probably a 90 hour long RPG.

 
Last edited:

Gambit2483

Member
I'm biased, but no VR game comes close to this except batman and Alyx. Very different style and you have to enjoy puzzles/combat and realize the tutorial is probably 8 hours. It's probably a 90 hour long RPG.


Thanks! I'm considering (finally) picking up a VR system this Xmas but wasn't sure about Meta Quest as the only great game I've ever heard about was Batman, whereas I know at least 6 games on PSVR2 (Horizon, GT7, No Mans Sky, RE4, Metro, and Alien) that are high quality experiences
 

Romulus

Member
Thanks! I'm considering (finally) picking up a VR system this Xmas but wasn't sure about Meta Quest as the only great game I've ever heard about was Batman, whereas I know at least 6 games on PSVR2 (Horizon, GT7, No Mans Sky, RE4, Metro, and Alien) that are high quality experiences

Metro/Alien is on Quest 3. NMS/metro/alien works on pcvr while using a Quest too, so you have options for on the go gaming wireless or PC.

In terms of big games, you're pretty much left with Horizon and GT7 vs Batman and Asgards Wrath 2. Horizon for me was great looking but short and not that great. I love racing so GT7 was great. RE4 is on quest 3 and is only worse graphically. Gameplay wise it's better on quest.

There are also about 400 games from Quest 1/2 that are all backwards compatible on Quest 3. Psvr1 games aren't. Not to mention the idea of a psvr3 seems unlikely while Quest 4 is already in development. Batman 2 is highly likely listening to the devs so the future is way brighter there too if you're a fan.
 
Last edited:

Gambit2483

Member
Metro/Alien is on Quest 3. NMS/metro/alien works on pcvr while using a Quest too, so you have options for on the go gaming wireless or PC.

In terms of big games, you're pretty much left with Horizon and GT7 vs Batman and Asgards Wrath 2. Horizon for me was great looking but short and not that great. I love racing so GT7 was great. RE4 is on quest 3 and is only worse graphically. Gameplay wise it's better on quest.

There are also about 400 games from Quest 1/2 that are all backwards compatible on Quest 3. Psvr1 games aren't. Not to mention the idea of a psvr3 seems unlikely while Quest 4 is already in development. Batman 2 is highly likely listening to the devs so the future is way brighter there too if you're a fan.
In that case, it sounds like pretty much everything is also on Meta Quest 3 except for Horizon and GT7, not including the immense back catalog of Quest 2 games...thanks a lot!, this really helps narrow things down 👍
 

Wonko_C

Member
Outside of Batman are there any other Meta Quest games of this caliber that are worth plunking down $300-$500?
If you mean AAA games there are a few like Asgard's Wrath 2, Assassin's Creed Nexus, Resident Evil 4 (not Remake), and Iron Man VR. If you're into indie and AAA games your horizons broaden greatly and won't have lack for play. A few examples of the top of my head:

Moss Book I & II
The Walking Dead: Saints & Sinners Chapters I & II
Pistol Whip
Dungeons of Eternity
C-Smash VRS
Metro Awakening
Puzzling Places
Walkabout Minigolf
Red Matter I & II
The Light Brigade
Demeo
Into Black
Until You Fall
Triangle Strategy
Pixel Ripped 1995

These are available as standalone on Quest without the need of a PC.
 

Romulus

Member
The newest update made the highest difficulty pretty crazy. Reaction time for blocks is narrowed significantly. I like it. 10 minutes of the challenge mode was intense.
 

FunkMiller

Member
Thanks! I'm considering (finally) picking up a VR system this Xmas but wasn't sure about Meta Quest as the only great game I've ever heard about was Batman, whereas I know at least 6 games on PSVR2 (Horizon, GT7, No Mans Sky, RE4, Metro, and Alien) that are high quality experiences

If you have/can get a decent gaming PC set up, PSVR2 is totally unnecessary. Horizon and GT7 aren't worth the outlay, and I played through both for many hours.

Also, if you get a Quest 3, Quest Games Optimizer is a must buy!
 
Last edited:

Gambit2483

Member
If you have/can get a decent gaming PC set up, PSVR2 is totally unnecessary. Horizon and GT7 aren't worth the outlay, and I played through both for many hours.

Also, if you get a Quest 3, Quest Games Optimizer is a must buy!
At this point it's basically cone down between GT7 and Batman for me, two franchises I absolutely love and want to experience in VR...but from the sounds of it Batman is the more defining VR experience, no to mention the insane back catalog of Quest 2 games.

Is there any chance at all main Quest 3 gets a BF, Cyber Monday, Xmas deal this year? If I'm going to jump in I'd rather go all in for the full experience.
 

FunkMiller

Member
At this point it's basically cone down between GT7 and Batman for me, two franchises I absolutely love and want to experience in VR...but from the sounds of it Batman is the more defining VR experience, no to mention the insane back catalog of Quest 2 games.

Is there any chance at all main Quest 3 gets a BF, Cyber Monday, Xmas deal this year? If I'm going to jump in I'd rather go all in for the full experience.

Bear in mind to get the proper VR experience in GT7 you need a wheel and a driving frame. If you've got both already it might be worth it to you, but having had both VR headsets for an extended period of time, I vastly prefer the Quest 3 for its wirelessness, its much bigger games selection, and the fact its a much more open platform.

Not sure about BL deals. I think any that are out there are probably on now.
 
Top Bottom