Batman: Arkham Origins

Batman: Arkham Origins
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Publisher: Warner Brothers Interactive
Reviewed On: Xbox 360
Cert: 16
Available On: Xbox 360,Wii U,Playstation 3,PC,Nintendo 3DS

Good news and bad news for fans of the Arkham games. The good news is that it's more of the same. The bad news is also that it's more of the same, but that's the only real complaint. Arkham Origins takes place back when Batman was referred to as "the Bat Man" and he meets some of his famous adversaries for the first time. As always, the score is operatic and the graphics cartoonish and detailed. The tone is just right – outlandish and pulpy but also sinister. Once again, it's a third-person action/adventure with varied, rich gameplay. There's sleuthing, fighting, puzzles and combat tactics, and planning and executing the fights is a blast. Videogames are the perfect place for Batman stories, what with their snazzy gadgets and colourful villains. And unlike the recent films, the games embrace the character's weird and wild source material.