I have to admit I must have a thing for dark, mysterious, and mentally scarred men because Bruce Wayne was my first "character" crush. He seems so sad all the time you just want to baby him until he smiles. Then I kinda fell for Sam Fisher. Hmmm..go fig.
I've followed the Batman series all the way from the first film and I seem to be the only one who wasn't too bothered by the obvious differences between the first two movies, and Batman Forever and Batman and Robin. I think, with the exception of "Ahnold", as Mr. Freeze and Alicia Silverstone as Batgirl, that all the villins and secondaries in these movies were well cast. Espicially Nicholson and Carrey. Talk about born to play a role. As far as the caped crusader himself, Michael Keaton will
always be the true Bruce Wayne/Batman. But, I've learned to live with Clooney, Bale and Kilmer. (Although if Clooney portrays Sam in the SC movie, prepare for me to throw a HUGE hissy fit...)
Anyway, to the game...
Sam Fisher creator and Splinter Cell God
JT Petty ventured into Warner Brothers territory where he wrote and did voice direction for the video game version of their film, “Batman Begins”. Being the nice guy that he is, he sent me an autographed copy when I purchased two of his
Clemency Pogue books, so I decided I would give this game a go, and see what I thought of the first Batman game I have played since “Batman Forever”.
Now, one can’t deny that this game bears a very striking resemblance to Splinter Cell. Exhibit A:
Some other similarities include climbing on a pipe under a moving train, lock picking, interrogations, optic cables, the words “Mission Failed” on the screen when you die, as well as an OPSAT of sorts where you can catch up on mission info, notes and receive email messages. >deep breath< You also keep contact with the famous Batman butler Alfred (voiced by the forever awesome Michael Caine) in a way similar to how Sam kept contact with Irving Lambert. Within the first few minutes of game play I was waiting for a leggy, blond lead programmer to chime in and tell Christian Bale he was old.
Despite the similarities to Splinter Cell, this game is very fun on it's own.
Those of us who have been studying at the feet of Sam Fisher for the last few years will have a heads up as stealth is crucial to this game.
The first map does a good job of walking you through the basics of the game. Teaching you how to fight, how interact with your environment ..etc. They make it very simple. So simple, in fact, they actually
tell you that using a medkit will improve your health. Also in the first map there is an area where Batman gets gased by Crane and you have to go through a small part of the map still disoriented. Very cool.
The second map helps solidify stealth skills by teaching the player how to use the environment to her advantage, how to go around problem areas and sneak up on unsuspecting opponents. It is in the third map where you finally get to put your stealth skills to use in the sewers of Gotham City.
My favorite maps by far are the ones where you get to use the Batmobile. When you are behind the wheel, stealth is NOT an option....and its freggin' awesome! You can't be stealthy all the time and in these levels it seems the point is to run EVERYBODY off the road (well the bad guys and the crooked cops anyway)! Killer fun! My final time through the first Batmobile level I had 100% reputation, 7:56 time, 41 takedowns, 20 multiple takedowns and caused $1,960,000 worth of damage. LOL w00t! I was dissapointed when I defeated these maps.
As far as the rest of the game is concerned...for those of you who are like me, and tend to be a bit of a n00b when playing a game for the first time, you will be aided along by a system that points you in the right direction when you get off track, and places a "target" on necessary doors. This is handy for helping out but if you aren't too careful that option can "hand hold" you through the entire game. Use it, don't abuse it.
They use real movie footage for the cut scenes in between levels, which is cool. The voice acting from the films cast is great. That Christian Bale does a helluva sexy gravely voice, BUT...he's no Michael Ironside.
Also, as you go along and defeat the levels you slowly open extras, one being an interview with JT Petty himself.
This game does have a Splinter Cell feeling to it, but it is also very true to the film. We already know there is a sequel to Batman Begins coming, so let's hope JT continues to be invovled. But for now, if you are looking for a game that has stealth AND awesome car chases, you can't go wrong with Batman Begins.
