|
|
Post by Mr. Freeze on Mar 18, 2005 0:02:55 GMT -5
I found this article at ign.com that discusses how Batman uses fear in the xbox game and talks about a few new abilities.
When Batman Begins is released this summer, the Batman franchise will be looking for a fresh start as a video game and a movie. Both media have been plagued by less-than-stellar installments, so it's difficult not to be skeptical of EA's new Batman title. Today we had a chance to see the game in action, and while it is still in pre-alpha phases it already has the potential to be better than Batman Vengeance and Rise of Sin Tzu combined. The game is a combination of stealth, action, and new variable based on fear. It's also filled with scripted events that drive the story and reveal mission objectives. JT Petty, who penned the original Splinter Celland Pandora Tomorrow stories, re-wrote the Batman Begins story for the game.
So far the game resembles Splinter Cell in a few ways. Batman has many of the same moves as Sam Fisher, such as the ability to scale pipes, shimmy along ledges, and use cables to sneak across building tops. His cape allows him to sail across gaps, and he can also use his grappling hook to latch onto objects and zip towards them. Another move the caped crusader shares with Ubisoft's super spy is an optic cable that allows players to see under doors.
Unlike Splinter Cell, the stealth is not based on dynamic lighting and instead enemies appear on the map with red vision cones. This system allows gamers more freedom of movement without worrying about alerting the bad guys. When Batman does get the jump on someone, he doesn't kill them, but instead knocks them out with a series of debilitating blows. The combo system consists of punches, kicks, and vaults, with on-screen indicators telling players when to go in for a finishing move or a vault attack. Currently these actions are handled by the press of a single button, also switching the camera to a cinematic angle while the Dark Knight shows off a flashy animation. Sure, it looks pretty, but it also somewhat removes players from the action. He can also interrogate enemies and gain information about a level by holding his victim by the neck and roughing him up.
The targeting system is handled with the D-Pad and provides small on-screen indicators of what Batman can or cannot interact with. This includes enemies, switches, and grapple points. This allows players to survey areas from a distance and maintain their cover.
The most original aspect of the game is the fear meter. Batman has the ability to see each enemy's heart rate and whether or not they are packing heat. When an enemy is scared they suffer from decreased shooting accuracy and combat errors. If they are really spooked they will cower on the floor or turn tail and run away. Fear increases with slick combat moves and environmental triggers that can freak out more than one enemy at the same time. This sets off an area fear meter that measures the collective fear of the characters in an environment.
Different character classes will respond to this system uniquely. The common thug will be terrified easily while it will take a little more to put fear in the heart of a skilled ninja. We saw this gameplay element in action in the Arkham Asylum. The dark corridors of the building were filled with cells housing the insane test subjects of Dr. Crane. By staying out of sight and slowly maneuvering over the heads of his enemies, Batman was able to release some of the inmates in order to freak out the henchmen guarding the halls. Not only did this make them more vulnerable to attack, but it contributed to Batman's reputation meter. With a high reputation, Batman's foes view him as an unstoppable demon that haunts the streets of Gotham.
We were also treated to a quick preview of a level that takes place in the Gotham tenements. Like the Asylum, this level was dark and spooky, tying into the theme of fear that runs throughout the game. Batman Begins will feature a total of nine levels, more of which will be revealed as we get closer to the release date. We'll have more information on the game as it becomes available
|
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Mar 18, 2005 1:48:37 GMT -5
The game isn't just for xbox, it's coming out for cube and PS2 too.
Anyways, here's pic's from the article. The pics are big so I'll post the URL.img.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Savagebeast/batman-begins-anew--20050317052359143.jpgimg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Savagebeast/batman-begins-anew--20050317052400831.jpgimg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Savagebeast/batman-begins-anew--20050317052401800.jpgimg.photobucket.com/albums/v293/Savagebeast/batman-begins-anew--20050317052403909.jpgAnd the article I found was different:
[glow=red,2,300] Nothing is more frightening for a comic book fan than the sight of Arnold Schwarzenegger encased in plastic, smoking a cigar and attempting to deliver a deadpan line. Though it's been eight years since Batman & Robin, the scars remains as fresh as the first cut. However, with David Goyer's script and Chris Nolan's direction, it appears those wounds may finally be healed this summer with the release of Batman Begins. Electronic Arts has an even greater stigma to overcome this July -- The videogame adaptation. If the movie's bad, you can almost guarantee the game will be even worse. And if that game happens to star Batman, well, forget it -- those games almost always suck. Talk about a monumental obstacle to overcome. Fortunately, EA is working with what appears to be a dynamite Dark Knight movie and has assigned former Splinter Cell designers to create a Batman game that may actually kick some butt. The Shakedown Batman Begins the videogame loosely follows the movie. That is, rather than going from point-to-point attempting to literally recreate every movie moment, Batman Begins selects the key plot points and extrapolates from there. The major characters are all voiced by their movie counterparts and the game version of Double B stays within the context of a Year One tale. That means no Joker, no Poison Ivy, no other big-name Bats villains outside of Ra's Al Ghul and Scarecrow. Unlike most movie adaptations, BB doesn't throw in a bunch of filler villains to fatten things up. This time around EA's decided to instead make the gameplay broaden the game. Novel concept, eh? Know Fear There is one major theme running throughout the new Batman movie: Fear. What is it little Bruce Wayne fears as a child? How does that fear drive him? How does fear affect others? The major villain, The Scarecrow, is an instrument of fear. Criminals are a cowardly lot, but in the comics Batman also fears. Nightmares of his mother's final scream, of pearls scattering across a back alley as a gun erupts wake Bruce Wayne even decades after the incident. Just as the film uses fear as a backdrop, so does Batman Begins the videogame. Each criminal has a heartbeat that can be heard when targeted. As Batman defeats enemies or performs special actions, an enemy's heart rate increases. Each individual enemy has a fear rating and the entire area has a fear level, which affects that rating. The more Batman does to put the bad guys on edge, the easier it becomes to kick the crap out of them. Some will cower in fear, others may run in horror. Picture Batman hanging from a rope and snatching up an enemy. His friends are suddenly on edge. Where's Eddie go? Another enemy falls unconscious. Then a gasoline barrel explodes and an awning comes crashing down. A silhouetted form drops from the sky wings spread like a demon. Sound like the comic? It's also in the game. By using his presence, Batman can quickly turn the tide of battle. Man or Demon? As the number of unconscious bodies rises and special Fear Events are achieved, Batman's reputation increases. The higher the rep, the more respect Batman garners. remember, he's still new to Gotham, so at first many think the Bat is just some clown in a rubber suit. An increased rep increases the ethereal nature of Batman. Conversations go from, "You're just a guy in a mask" to "Batman, please don't eat my soul!" As a Year One tale, it's important to have some sort of reputation function. There aren't many superhero games that allow the character's renown rise. By the end of Batman Begins, the Dark Knight should become a shadowy myth criminals fear without question. Getting Batman to that point is your task as a gamer. Mayhem in Arkham Grant Morrison's Arkham Asylum is one of the greatest Batman stories ever told. Batman Begins brings the experience of being trapped in an insane asylum to the forefront. One of the largest levels, Batman must battle his way through guards and mental defectives. Sure, this doesn't have the classic Bat villains seen in Arkham Asylum, but it is an incredible recreation of the famed institution for the criminally insane. Though you may miss out on Poison Ivy and the Joker, there are plenty of head-banging lunatics to mingle with. Legendary Batman scribe Denny O'Neil claimed this was the best representation of Arkham Asylum he'd ever seen. Believe it. Outlook In terms of recreating a Batman worthy of his comics counterpart, EA is definitely on the right track. Just as the SNES The Adventures of Batman & Robin emulated the spirit of the animated series, EA's Batman Begins has captured the essence of the Dark Knight. The use of fear as a primary gameplay device and the ability to use stealth and strategy to take on enemies gives BB an authentic feel. It's still unknown if the gameplay can match the atmosphere, but this is certainly the most faithful Batman game in a decade. There's quite a bit more going on with Batman Begins. There's combat, stealth and gadgetry as well. However, if you want a more in-depth look at the game mechanics, check out the full preview. If you're looking for more info on the movie, be sure to keep your eyes glued to FilmForce. [/glow]
|
|
|
|
Post by Faithfulbutler on Mar 18, 2005 2:39:24 GMT -5
That sounds absolutely awesome to say the least.I love a game where you have to put in some real effort rather than a straight beat-em-up sort.
This is definitely high on my wants list!
|
|
|
|
Post by reideen1313 on Mar 18, 2005 20:30:26 GMT -5
The game isn't just for xbox, it's coming out for cube and PS2 too.
[/glow] Whew! Thanks Robin! You answered my first question!! I'm not buying no stinkin' Xbox just to play this game - I don't care how good it is. PS2 or nuthin' baby! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Freeze on Mar 18, 2005 20:43:48 GMT -5
sorry if i got everybody confused about the systems, but when i found the article it was for the xbox version of the game so i just posted that article. And sorry again about the confusion.
|
|
|
|
Post by TheJoker on Mar 19, 2005 0:19:50 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Mar 19, 2005 21:11:52 GMT -5
Whew! Thanks Robin! You answered my first question!! I'm not buying no stinkin' Xbox just to play this game - I don't care how good it is. PS2 or nuthin' baby! ;D No problamo! Any game like that always comes out for all 3 systems.  sorry if i got everybody confused about the systems, but when i found the article it was for the xbox version of the game so i just posted that article. And sorry again about the confusion. It's alright. I seen the article too on ign in the xbox section. On ign, theres 3 different people that cover the 3 systems. One for PS2, one for Cube, and one for Xbox. And they all do write ups on games, and when theres a game for all three systems, each guy does their own write up on the same game but each one will be a little different.........just thought I'd share that. ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Freeze on Mar 19, 2005 21:26:54 GMT -5
well i went to ebgames.com and they updated their batman begins game page and put the features to the game on the page. so i thought i write them down sorry if you guys heard this before.
Hunt from the Shadows- Revolutionary fear-based gameplay turns you from the hunted into the hunter. Stalk and terrorize your enemies, strike from above, or use the environment to turn them against each other to defeat them without joining the fight.
Play the Movie - Batman Begins delivers a truly cinematic gameplay experience, following the plot line and featuring all of the characters of the blockbuster movie.
The Ultimate Modern Ninja - The over-the-top martial arts style developed exclusively for the film is recreated in-game, with help from the film's stunt coordinator. Engage in hand-to-hand combat and incapacitate your enemies with devastating blows and finishing moves.
Wreak Havoc in the Batmobile - Tear up the streets and rooftops of Gotham City in the ultimate driving machine for high-speed, no-holds-barred vehicular combat.
The Bat Utility Belt - Use the Batgrapple to scale buildings and move with stealth. Let the Batarang fly to assault your enemies or demolish your surroundings. Summon a swarm of bats to attack at your command with the Bat Transponder.
Epic Storytelling - Based on the blockbuster film and featuring a game script by JT Petty, the acclaimed writer of Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell, Batman Begins lets you delve deep into the dark world of Gotham City.
|
|
|
|
Post by Robin on Mar 20, 2005 20:29:05 GMT -5
The Ultimate Modern Ninja - The over-the-top martial arts style developed exclusively for the film is recreated in-game, with help from the film's stunt coordinator. Engage in hand-to-hand combat and incapacitate your enemies with devastating blows and finishing moves. |
|
|
|
Post by Tyson1990 on Mar 21, 2005 10:59:53 GMT -5
Dude that game sounds awesome.I can't wait. I will definately be getting this.
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Freeze on Mar 23, 2005 22:20:01 GMT -5
well here is the offical box art for Batman Begins the game, even though it is for the gamecube, it will be the same for all systems.  |
|
JaK™
Legions of Gotham Police Officer
Posts: 238
|
Post by JaK™ on Mar 28, 2005 13:16:16 GMT -5
~falls off chair~
wow
i got to get that
|
|
|
|
Post by Mr. Freeze on Apr 8, 2005 12:55:41 GMT -5
i found a q&a interview at iesb.net with Reid Schneider the game's lead programer on Batman Begins the game.
Q:What kind of access (concept art, footage, set visits, script, etc) has been allowed to you to create the adaptation?
RS:We have been very fortunate to have great access to the film crew and their production. This has gone a huge way to make the game more closely resemble the film. Even before a single frame of film was shot, we had concept art, a script, and we’re talking to the film’s production staff. During their production we made several visits to their set in both the UK and Chicago to see first hand what they were creating, and at the same time show them our progress. It was a really great collaboration overall.
Q: Throughout video game history, movie adaptations haven’t been very strong, why is this and how are you trying to fix this?
RS: I think this is due to the publisher/developer overly relying on the license and not pushing themselves to make compelling game content. The game production staff at EA and Eurocom are highly critical of our own work and are not content to do something average. Our goal is to really push the limits with this game, and make the Batman experience that players have been asking for.
Q: Batman Begins the Video Game will have a fear mechanics system; can you talk about this and describe a situation when this is used?
RS: Definitely, this is what sets the game apart from all other Batman games, and any other game on the market today. In the film Batman uses fear against his enemies to weaken them before going in for the takedown. We have recreated this idea in the game where the player will need to scare his enemies first, then fight second. Scaring enemies causes them to drop their weapons, run away, back away, or even become paralyzed with fear. An example of this takes place in Narrows where Batman is able to trigger an explosion which destroys the environment thus scaring enemies. The fear created then “feeds on itself” where as one enemy gets scared, others begin to frighten as well. We call this AI witnessing and fear inheritance.
Q: What types of weapons are available to players? How will players be able to use some of the high-tech gear like optical cables, lock picks, batgrapple, and the batarang?
RS: The player will have access to Camera Hacking Equipment, Electronic Hack equipment, Lock-picks, Batarangs, Flash Bang Grenades, Smoke Grenades, and more. All the gadgets he has in the game are grounded in realism. This is a central theme of the film which we have carried over into the game.
Q: Other than Batman’s gadgets and the Batmobile, what other special abilities will Batman have?
RS: In the game, Batman will need to rely heavily on his puzzle solving and detective skills and martial arts abilities. In the film they are using a style of fighting called Key-Sei which emphasizes short, quick, powerful strikes. We have recreated a lot of this in the game. The animation team has added their own creativity for longer range attack moves that are needed for the gameplay experience.
Q: Can you talk about the different scene locations will gamers play in? What adversaries (enemies, bosses, etc) will players face?
RS: The players will get to see the classic locations of the Batman universe including Gotham City, Gotham City Tenemants, Arkham Asylum, and Wayne Manor. The characters they encounter in the game will also be the classic characters from the Batman universe including Scarecrow, Ra’s Al Ghul, Alfred, and Ducard.We have a lot more locations and characters that we can’t reveal yet. In the game we made sure to keep the environments consistently different and interesting. We never want the player to experience the “been-there, done-that” feeling. The team at Eurocom deserves a huge amount of credit for nailing this.
Q: Anything you want to say to Batman fans about the game?
RS: We’re very excited to finish the game and release it. We believe we are finally going to give players the seminal Batman experience and really hope they like it.
|
|
|
|
Post by MANBAT on May 22, 2005 8:48:20 GMT -5
Looking forward to this game.
Way back when Splinter Cell had come out for X-box, they had a Live chat with the guys from Ubi-soft, at that time almost everyone online was telling them this is how your Batman games should be, one of the head guys on the chat session was quick to say that Sam Fisher was a character who worked in the shadows and that gamers "expected" their Batman games to be "truer" to the comics, with lots of flashy characters and quick action. After his comment he was bombarded with ?'s asking him if he's actually looked at a comic, the on-line moderator quickly changed the topic.
Not a big fan of EA but I hope that this one shines so industry can realize we want to see Batman in these types of games, looking at Splinter cell Chaos, I could easily imagine a Co-op with Batman and another member of the Batman family.
|
|
