Batman: the Better MetroidBy Locke on October 8th, 2009
I know Ence and I discussed it to death, but it really is a great game. The reason is simple. From the start of the game, you are Batman. Now most people would look at the game and say, “Of course I’m Batman, that’s the game I’m playing isn’t it?”. Yes, it is, strange person who talks to himself while reading blog posts. Comparing to Metroid, my sentence is clear. When you start a Metroid game, Samus trips over a rock and loses all her Powerups. Essentially, before you can get the Morph Ball, you’re pretty much Megaman. Shoot bullets, jump, and open doors. Batman however starts off with all the things that define how Batman fights crime. You’ve got the attacks, you’ve got the Batarang, the Detective Mode Cowl Vision, the ability to Glide with your cape, and your grappling hook. Everything else you get from the game are retrieved from the Batcave, or the trunk of the Batmobile. It’s realistic, Batman wouldn’t carry all of his Gadgets on a regular night, he’s not sure if he needs to bring the explosive gel, or the sonic batarang, or what have you. He carries the basics until he gets a better idea of what he is dealing with. Having said this, you never really feel like you were ever weak in the game at all. I’m certain that if not for the obstacles that require you to have certain gadgets to pass through areas, the starting Batman is more than capable of fighting through the later baddies that run all over the island. It’s a great way to build a game, and make the player feel awesome while playing it. |