‘Batman: Arkham Shadow’ Proves VR Gaming Isn’t Just a Gimmick

VR games have a tendency to be viewed as gimmicks – spin-offs of well-known games that are easily forgotten. In fact, the last attempt Batman Arkham VR That’s it – nothing more than a vaguely interactive movie. But that’s not the case here. Shadow of Arkham is an ambitious feature-length outing (estimated gameplay time is 10 to 15 hours) with a satisfyingly layered and twisty narrative. It has the time and space to flesh out its world, giving players the chance to spend as much time in the Batman suit as in the Batman suit, where Batman spends much of the game in the role of Stickman Malone Undercover at Blackgate Prison.

It has tons of allies and enemies to encounter (some of them, because shadowy As a prequel that has yet to take its place in Batman’s rogues gallery), there’s even a bit of star power thrown into the dub – Roger Craig Smith returns as Bruce Wayne/Batman with a gravelly menace, while Elijah Wood plays the role of Jonathan Crane before Scarecrow. There’s nothing fancy about it.

This is all backed up by powerful gameplay mechanics that truly make you feel like you’re Batman like never before. Camouflaj deftly adapts every pillar of traditional technology Arkham Great gameplay (stealth, combat, investigation) for an immersive first-person VR experience.

Little touches like activating Detective Mode (a visual filter that highlights clues in the environment) by holding the controller to the side of your head will quickly make you feel like you’re actually wearing the infamous hood, And stealth games are a real joy. Lurking in the shadows to take out the Rat King’s followers, sneaking out of a vent to take down a Gollum, or holding them high and hanging helplessly high, it’s easy to feel like something Batman created for himself Urban legend.

When stealth is not an option, melee combat creates the same wonderful flow state as the original combat Arkham game. You’ll strike enemies one-on-one directly, switching between uppercuts, jabs, jabs, double-fist slams, and more to break through defenses, then seamlessly blend in while juggling hordes of enemies. Instant block and counter attack.

An alert on the side of the field of view indicates an incoming strike – flick your arm to the side and you’ll intercept an off-screen attack, instantly drawing your attention to the next enemy without squeezing the Quest controller triggers Sweeping your arms in case brings you ready for deflected blows. All the while, you’re building up power for a devastating finisher with punishing gravity landings. You do it all with your fists instead of clicking buttons on a controller, making you feel like an unstoppable badass.

Add to that the ability to start encounters with a brutal slide kick or a well-aimed Batarang, or confuse enemies with smoke grenades, and it’s enough to make you think you could actually take on a dozen masked assailants in real life. You can’t do it, so don’t try, but the combat here provides enough stamina to feel like a workout – the kind of physical combat sessions that are common in the game, resulting in a gameplay experience that can only be achieved in VR.

almost unparalleled

that’s its magic Shadow of Arkham– It perfectly balances the console experience with the unique immersive elements of VR that PC gamers have come to expect. While there are already many other great games in the VR space –Asgard’s Wrath II, The Room VR, certainly defeat saberto name a few – all preaching to the minority of people who have already converted to VR gaming. Batman is arguably the world’s most popular superhero, but he brings an elusive crossover appeal. He promises to tell an untold story in one of the most popular settings, which has the potential to attract new players and bring them into the VR ecosystem.

Of course, in a way, Camouflaj is just playing hits here, remixing the best parts of Rocksteady’s original songs Arkham VR Game – There’s even a ton of collectibles to hunt down, scattered across Gotham City by the Rat Cultists, like the Riddler trophies from the earlier games, usually required to solve a puzzle or get some new ones Bat technology can only be reached. However, this sense of familiarity will bring comfort to players and make the transition to VR easier.