Batman: Arkham Shadow – A Real Game or Just VR Hype?
Excitement was palpable among gamers when they first heard about a new Batman: Arkham game, only to be tempered by the news that it would be a VR exclusive for Meta Quest 3. The skepticism is understandable, especially given that VR, despite being around for a decade, hasn't yet captivated the broader gaming community—even a major title like Half-Life couldn't shift the tide. So, what hope does Batman have in this space?
That’s a question the market will ultimately answer. However, after spending 45 minutes with *Batman: Arkham Shadow*—a new title from Camouflaj Studios, the team behind *Iron Man VR*—there’s reason for optimism. Unlike the 2016 PSVR1 launch game *Batman: Arkham VR*, which was more of a 90-minute tech demo (albeit a fun one), *Arkham Shadow* feels like a “real game.”
In those first 45 minutes, I had a great time, and just as the game was getting truly intriguing, my demo ended. This isn’t just another VR brawler; the game features a cast of beloved bat-characters, including Jim Gordon, Harvey Dent, and more, all woven into a story centered around a new Gotham villain: the Rat King, who aims to bring down the city’s elite. However, the story remains the biggest question mark for me. It’s not that it seems bad, but I didn’t get to see much of it in my demo. Just as the plot was about to kick off with a conversation with Commissioner Gordon, my time was up. The developers explained that I had skipped the prologue, which would have set the stage for the narrative.
When I think of the Arkham games, two elements stand out: combat and story. The combat in *Arkham Shadow* is distinctively VR and engaging, but the story’s depth and impact remain to be seen. The potential is there, but only time will tell if it can live up to the legacy of its predecessors.
That’s a question the market will ultimately answer. However, after spending 45 minutes with *Batman: Arkham Shadow*—a new title from Camouflaj Studios, the team behind *Iron Man VR*—there’s reason for optimism. Unlike the 2016 PSVR1 launch game *Batman: Arkham VR*, which was more of a 90-minute tech demo (albeit a fun one), *Arkham Shadow* feels like a “real game.”
In those first 45 minutes, I had a great time, and just as the game was getting truly intriguing, my demo ended. This isn’t just another VR brawler; the game features a cast of beloved bat-characters, including Jim Gordon, Harvey Dent, and more, all woven into a story centered around a new Gotham villain: the Rat King, who aims to bring down the city’s elite. However, the story remains the biggest question mark for me. It’s not that it seems bad, but I didn’t get to see much of it in my demo. Just as the plot was about to kick off with a conversation with Commissioner Gordon, my time was up. The developers explained that I had skipped the prologue, which would have set the stage for the narrative.
When I think of the Arkham games, two elements stand out: combat and story. The combat in *Arkham Shadow* is distinctively VR and engaging, but the story’s depth and impact remain to be seen. The potential is there, but only time will tell if it can live up to the legacy of its predecessors.