Endless Bag of Games

“Let’s put a smile on that face!” said Joker, but I believe that the developers of Batman: Arkham Asylum also had similar plans when they started to develop the game. Ok, we already know that Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 is under development and approaching our consoles as we speak, so I think we should take a look why Joker’s quotation is a stone cold truth in this case.

Well first of all, Batman is the only guy who can wear leather and beat villains and in the same time, look absolutely cool. Who wouldn’t love a guy who dresses up like a bat. In Batman Arkham Asylym, the game begins when Batman enters the madhouse and soon things starts go awry. The journey through the Asylum is everything else, but boring. Starting from the beginning, the game is not messing around and the product itself is not just some throwaway licensed product. Batman: Arkham Asylum is really an experience devoted to the multiple aspects of being Batman; including the cool gadgets, fear, lurking in shadows, overcoming challenges and of course a swath of Batman villains! All this combines together in high quality adventure, which will impress you until the final moments of the game.

The gameplay feels sort of exploration-style adventure, since Batman has various aid that help him see through walls etc. So instantly you will see areas what you cannot reach or get through. These areas are actually the ones you’ll be returning later as you advance in the game. Still, not once I felt bored to visit “the same places” again. The story is linear, but you still have enough freedom to collect amass of collectible objects and solve some riddles. The difficulty engages the player to the right level and as a player I found myself really pondering some of them. If you enjoy lore, the items you collect open bios and other bonuses which are quite interesting.

One of the best thing is, that you won’t be doing anything too long, since transitions through the areas go on smoothly. Sometimes you’ll be spending some time skulking in shadows and soon found yourself in close-up fights kicking some villain-butts. The fighting has a nice feel and it enables transitions from one enemy to the next as the game system has been developed in a way, that combat against multiple enemies feels natural. So you’ll be watching your back, executing cool moves and using brute force with Bat-style. Still, you have to remember that Batman is not super-powered and invincible so a direct approach to a group of hostiles with machine guns is really a bad idea. One major fun factor about “regular enemies” is that they don’t actually follow any pattern which could be seen as a typical solution. Instead, as Batman takes out few of the guys, the others start to freak out and you’ll be enjoying the terror you cause by simple staying in the boots of.. Batman.. dä nä nää!

The graphics of Batman: Arkham Asylum completes the package. The game comes along with some great graphics making the characters look really good. All the models and impacts really make some of the fights look really painful (and enjoyable!). The Asylum itself is also great with all the variety it offers. Cell blocks, mansions, greenhouse, exteriors etc. One thing worth mentioning is, that a big part of the game atmosphere comes from the sounds and voice acting of the game. Smacks, chops and villains too, are worth listening.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is a strong package, tied together to deliver a satisfying gaming experience. Although the game won’t take too much time to complete, it still is enough the satisfy even the player’s who aren’t hardcore Batman fans. I don’t know about you, but I’m buying the sequel when it comes.

Gaming sessions run smoother every time we play and this time was no exception. Our heroes reached second level and there was a good amount of roleplaying during the gameplay. I especially liked the amount of character interactions during today’s session. Here is what happened.

The play begins at shade of The Shield. A light rain pours as a band of grey wardens arrive to the scene. Jorn and the others meet with Sergeant Warden Urvak and explain the situation they are now. Surprised from the story told, warden Urvak asked the group to follow the grey wardens to Redcliffe where they would be properly treated and the information could be put in a good use. Jorn and the others agreed, they had witnessed many horrors and besides they were curious to learn more about the wardens.

Together with the wardens, our heroes ride to Redcliffe and are given temporary accommodation from the Chantry. Larridan however, our apostate mage, kindly refuses the offer and heads off to find more suitable accommodation for his kind. Soon Jorn receives a message, that Larridan has left Redcliffe for now, but is willing to continue travelling with Jorn after the business in Redcliffe is over. At Redcliffe, they sell much of their gear and celebrate for once, that they don’t have to fear sleep through the night. Due the heavy usage of alcohol, Lintarn tries to seduce Jorn, but Jorn politely refuses and Lintarn gets offended. The drama is already forgotten when Lintarn wakes up to suffer serious hangover. Jorn however remembers everything, but doesn’t say a word.

Morning comes and Jorn, Lintarn and Avellen are summoned for the hearing which takes place at the Chantry’s vast halls. The main hall is arranged to accommodate a larger audience, but due the nature of the hearing, only a handful of grey wardens, sergeant warden Urvak and the head of the Redcliffe Chantry, Sister Sananda are present. “I am Sananda, Sister of the Chantry and I will be conducting the questions in the grace of the Maker, please do not speak falsely and were are done in no time”.

After the hearing, sergeant warden Urvak approached Jorn and asked about what they’re planning to do next. After he explains, Urvak presents an opportunity to the group to prove their worth and possibly even join the ranks of the wardens. Urvak gives the group some time to think about it. Jorn discusses the matter with Lintarn and Avellen and they approve that it would be best not to pass the opportunity. The discussion takes place at romantic boat ride at lake Calenhad, but the mood is somewhat ruined since Avellen came along as “third wheel”. Anyway, they accept Urvak’s offer before the dawn and agree to do the job they’re required to do.

Warden Masymar had two weeks ago travelled to Vintiver to deal with issues that had arisen at the nearby regions. Sergeant Urvak believes that something has gone awry, since Masymar has not returned, even the tasks nature was routine. Urvak has reason to believe that something more dire has happened to Masymar, but circumstances does not give him the luxury to send grey wardens after him. So Urvak turns towards Jorn, Lintarn, Larridan and Avellen to do the job.

The group leaves Redcliffe, rain lashes down as our three travellers negotiate their way through the valleys and runnels of the Southron hills. The fear of what have happened to Masymar wears heavily on the group, who are seeing the job as a pathway to a better life.

In the distance a murder of crows are spotted circling. Lintarn, sharp- eyed and perceptive, surmises whatever carrion attracted the birds must be large indeed for them to brave the storm. They proceed cautiously and soon the stubble of the recently grown harvest, beaten down by the pouring rain, reveals a figure lying in the mud.

Carrion birds caw angrily and scatter around when the group approaches the scene. The figure, reveals to be the body of an adult man holding a child in his arms. Gouging claw marks and spilled entrails denote their sad end. Larridan, experienced with wounds and bestiary, does not recognize the marks to be the marks made any natural animal. With serious faces Jorn and others are determined to discover the cause of such slaughter. As they reach the farmhouse door a sudden flash of lightning reveals the shape of five twisted wolf-like creatures circling about. The party flees to the farmhouse and leaves the carcass to the wolves and thus they avoid the combat.

The farmhouse reveals yet more slaughter as one carcass sits guts open face twisted to horrifying expression. Lightning flashes and a mark is revealed in the wall written in blood. “Mythal..” Larridan whispers. “Elven god of Vengeance.. “ Avellen continues. It seems that the slaughter has something to do with elves. While searching the farmhouse for clues, Jorn hears panicked mooing from the barn. Jorn and Avellen head towards the barn to investigate, while Lintarn investigates the farmhouse.

The source of the mooing is a panicked cow surrounded by the wolves, but to Jorn’s surprise she founds a young Dalish suffering grievous wounds similar to those of the farmer. After a feeble attempt at escape she lapses into unconsciousness before the characters can ascertain what assaulted her. As Larridan enters the scene he tells the others that the woman is in dire need of help, although she remains comatose for now.

The group hurries towards Vintiver since it is not far, and they hope for a warm welcome. But due the events recently happening in the village, the greeting is somewhat icy. Vintiver is not giving warm welcome to elves, and now four of them plus Jorn arrived to the village, and bring news about the carnage at the nearby farm. The dalish woman is quickly taken to the local chapel and sister Arda and Larridan treat her wounds. After that, the group is expected to rest at the Arbor inn, with the dalish woman.

The gossips spread quickly and in the middle of the night, a heavy knocking on the Inn’s door awakens everyone. “Open the door damn it! We demand justice! We demand to have answers! Justice!” As Lintarn takes a peek through the window she can see that angry mob has gathered around just outside the door. “Well… shit…” the innkeeper whimpers. As the mob charges in, Jorn steps out to the scene and demands that he should be heard! Having his opportunity, Jorn explains the situation and negotiates the mob to dissipate. While most of the mob accept to Jorn’s explanation, the village smith Coalan does not take it well, and leaves the scene swearing that he would remember this.

The Dalish woman finally wakes up and explains how she ended up at the Fuldor farm:

“As you may know, our band visited this village just two weeks ago, during their harvest festival. We were welcomed, then, but there was a bit of trouble: some of the locals had too much to drink, and there was a confrontation with some of our young men. Harsh words were exchanged, and Harralan, one of our hunters, attacked the big blacksmith. The village warden and a visiting grey warden separated them before it could get out of hand, but still the damage was done. We were no longer welcome here and we moved on as soon as the festival ended. Harralan was angry at our treatment, but our elders assigned him the duty of scouting as we made our way through the forest, to give him time to cool off. He was the first to disappear—he simply didn’t return from his scouting one night. “Then other scouts and hunters began to go missing, as did the ones sent to look for them. The elders decided we should go back, but by then it was too late.

“Three days after Harralan disappeared, before we could reach the edge of the forest, they attacked our camp: darkspawn emerging from the trees in the dead of night. My people were taken. Those who fought were beaten or killed. I was captured alongwith the rest, taken to an ancient ruin in a rift valley deep in the forest, off the trails. The master of the darkspawn is an abomination. He calls himself Mythallen, which in our tongue means “child of vengeance”. I was brought before him, and then to his chambers. I managed to escape, but there are still many others. Also the man you speak of: Warden Masymar.

“The darkspawn pursued me, accompanied by a pack of baying beasts. I was wounded, but managed to avoid them, hiding among the trees and gullies in the forest for more than a day, always moving, never resting for long. I stumbled upon the farm where you found me and managed to conceal myself in the hayloft. I heard some of the farmers coming… The darkspawn must have attacked. I remember the terrible screams… Then nothing until you found me. “Please… You must help my people! Mythallen and his creatures must be stopped!”

Since the group had clear goal in their minds, they were ready to set out. Next morning, they left with the instructions from the Dalish woman to find the camp before the darkspawn attacked. What they didn’t expect, was the ambush by the village smith Coalan and his stout friends. Unfortunate for the furious smith, he and his men took a beating and one of the attackers was even slain. In the aftermath of the encounter, our session ended.

Here is a new perspective to the story of our campaign. I’ve actually done this few times before in our games, but not in the Shield of Ferelden Campaign. So just to deepen the world around the players and to develop the plot further, here you go:

====================================
To Warden commander Harold Astila,
Warden’s of Denerim,
Grey Wardens

Fellow Grey Warden,

I have acquainted a strange group of people at the Southern Shield during my inspection. You may be surprised to learn, that these people, during their journey pass the Frostbacks, have survived days along the Deep Roads. While these efforts alone are notable, their news about the stirring Avvar-threat and sightings of Blight Wolves near the village perimeters are dire indeed. While the purpose of our Inspection was not to recruit new members, I am confident, that these individuals should be heard and properly trained if they are willing to do so.

However, I can sense certain air of uncertainty lingering around these individiuals and I ask further instructions how to deal with them. Within next week, I will be stationed at Redcliffe and waiting for your orders.

You will hear from me soon. Until then, I live and serve

Sergeant Warden Urvak,
Grey Wardens

Final Fantasy XIII is one of those games that some people hold them almost in a religious position in their lives. Square Enix has always delivered a solid Final Fantasy experience every time and this time is not an exception, although some aspects of the game can be seen as mishaps in the eyes of more experienced gamers.

The game begins lifting the fog of mythology and underneath there is a role-playing game. The game, in general, has the same elements than any regular rpg holds: battle systems, levelling, upgrading etc. The thing is, Final Fantasy presents them in somewhat exceptional way. We could say, that Final Fantasy XIII has reached somekind of technically impressive peak in the game system in the series history.

The battle system is surprisingly one of the best aspect of the game. Simple commands such as Attack, Magic and Item have now evolved and many new aspects brings tactical elements to the game. The mechanic revolves around the concept of paradigms which are roles with specific abilities. You only control the party leader and the other members of the group act according their roles. These roles are extremely important to truly handle the most difficult enemies. While the idea is actually quite simple, the game builds complexity around it until it delivers fun, tactical and fast paced experience. The overall battle-system is phenomenal: fast, exciting and solid.

As you may have heard, Final Fantasy XIII betrays especially its hardcore fans. The lack of “sandbox-element”, especially for the first 25-hours. This time, you find yourself running in a tube, buying weapons and upgrades, not from shops and cities, but from the save point instead. For me, this is the biggest mishap in the game. There is no need however to fall in to the pit of despair, because that tube is really awesome and breathtaking. The in-game graphics are so good that it’s not always obvious whether a cutscene is CG or in-game. Final Fantasy XIII takes a step further in the storytelling by streamlining the formula into a more controlled, more focused experience. And yes, you will get some freedom after the first 25 hours.

Ok, many other reviews say that the story takes missteps but I must disagree. The overal story is something what to expect from Square Enix and it does not disappoint you. The difference is, that this time the concept revolves around personalities of the characters, not the ultimate adversary. To me, this concept feels fresh and somehow more alive.

Final Fantasy XIII has its pros and cons, but still it delivers quality experience. You don’t need to worry if you’re thinking should you buy the game or not because FF XIII is still an excellent game which will easily compensate the investment. In the Final Fantasy series, I believe FFXIII will be remembered by its technical achievements, not the story.