• DLC Review: Batman: Arkham City - Nightwing Bundle

    by
    Chris "WildCardCorsair" Garcia
    Published on 11-04-2011 01:08 AM
    1 Comment Comments


    DLC Review: Batman: Arkham City - Nightwing

    Developer: Rocksteady Studios
    Publisher: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
    Platform: Xbox360, PlayStation 3, PC
    Genre: Third Person, Stealth, Action/Adventure
    Rating: Teen
    Release Date: November 1st, 2011

    Nightwing makes his debut in Rocksteady's Arkham City as the first official DLC for the game priced at 560 Microsoft Points or $7. Will the last 'Flying Grayson' soar? Or will tragedy strike twice, leaving the DLC to fall to its doom, orphaning what could possibly be game of the year?

    Presentation
    Aside from Nightwing himself, the Nightwing DLC comes with the Wayne Manor Armory and Wayne Manor Main Hall challenge maps. Because of this, the implied story behind this DLC revolves around what's happening back at home while Bruce is being detained in Arkham. Several opportunists on the outside have decided to loot the billionaire's prized collections for themselves, and with Batman in Arkham, and Robin working with the police, it's up to Nightwing to defend his adopted family's home.

    Graphics
    As mentioned above the Nightwing DLC features two challenge maps for the Riddler's Revenge mode. Wayne Manor Main Hall. The first, is a predator challenge map that depicts the Wayne household's... well, main hall. The main hall is as grand as one might expect the first room of Gotham's wealthiest man to be. Multiple staircases, fine displays, and a large portrait of the Wayne family are just a few of the highlights that can be seen while you mercilessly deal with the unsuspecting intruders.

    Farther in, the Wayne Manor Armory, has been broken into, this time by Tyger Co. Guards, no doubt sent to the house by Hugo Strange after discovering Batman's secret identity. The armory, despite its name contains little weaponry itself, and of course nothing relating to the Dark Knight's armament. Personally, I believe the room to really be the entrance to the armory. Oddly enough two locked gun caches can be seen in the room, despite Bruce Wayne's distaste for the weapon that ultimately left him orphaned. Other than the elaborate walls and flooring not much more can be said about the room, which is not such a bad thing as players will no doubt be concentrating on the opponents in this combat challenge map anyway.

    Nightwing himself gets the "Arkham game makeover" treatment and it does not disappoint. His suit looks high tech and is very detailed when viewed up close. While it remains similar to his comic book counterpart, his appearance feels right at home among the best (and worst) of Arkham City. Aditionally, his alternate appearance is a cel shaded rendition straight out of The New Batman Adventures. While it certainly stands apart from the game's gritty urban dystopia feel, fans will no doubt appreciate the fan service, especially considering the animated series is probably where many players of Arkham City will have been introduced to Nightwing in the first place.

    Sound/Music
    No new sounds and music are really contained in this DLC, aside from a few grunts made by Nightwing, and a few new lines by the Riddler and the various thugs that make specific mention of Nightwing himself. While it's disappointing not to hear anything from Nightwing himself, this lack of voice is not unexpected.

    Gameplay
    The DLC's two added challenge maps are actually pretty good. While there isn't much special about the armory map, it is nice and wide enough to not interfere with camera angles or anything like that. The main hall however is an excellent map for a predator challenge. The map features every environment for stealth takedowns you can imagine: several ledges, wires, vents that lead quickly lead to other areas of the map, an elevator shaft, railings, grates, and even dummy walls you can break through to perform satisfying takedowns on unsuspecting thugs on the other side. This challenge map is also one of the largest giving you tons of room to silently maneuver around your soon-to-be-victims.

    Nightwing himself is for the most part a great character. He has a decent range of gadgets that can be used in both predator and combat challenges. These pretty baubles include his weapons, the dual electric eskrima (which can be thrown), wing-dings (styled shurikens), wrist darts, batclaw, line launcher, disruptor, and electric blasts. While in combat, Nightwing's stun makes use of the electrifying abilities of his eskrima. His proficient acrobatic skill shows while dodging as he can cover a much larger distance by summersaulting. His stealth prowess is noticeably different though, as the glide kick shared by Batman and Robin has been replaced with "Pounce" that is similar to Catwoman's. Any sort of hanging takedowns are also gone, leaving drop attacks as his only offensive stealth takedown from ledges and vantage points. Thankfully the range for his drop attacks are increased to compensate, no doubt a nod to his high-flying circus days.

    As for his gadgets, the wrist darts take you into a first person view with a targeting reticle but is limited to three shots. Getting a headshot with the wrist darts can cause an automatic K.O. but Nightwing's reticle moves while zoomed-in, making long distance shots difficult. The electric blast can be used from wires and ledges to drop down and zap all unsuspecting enemies in an area to incapacitate them for a few moments. Nightwing can also unleash a powerful shockwave attack by using electric blast in combos, stunning all enemies in a close radius to him. This ability is extremely useful against opponents with knives or other melee based weapons. His eskrima can also be thrown, and ricocheted off enemies, giving them a a jolt before being caught again. If you're able to pull this off without using quickfire (or if you get lucky) you can actually hit several targets in a single throw as well.

    Lasting Appeal
    Since Nightwing becomes selectable on any challenge map you currently have unlocked, at the very least it can be said this DLC does add a slightly new way to play all your existing Riddler's Revenge content. With his impressive ability to build combat chains and take out enemies with ease, Nightwing will become a very popular choice for tackling combat challenges. At the very least I (and I'm sure many others) wish Rocksteady could have made Nightwing playable after the game's conclusion in a way similar to how Catwoman is able to switch out with Batman at certain points on the map. Who knows why this wasn't added but it is unfortunate.

    Conclusion
    As a reviewer there are many things that come into play when trying to designate any kind of score for a game or DLC. One of these that is very important to me and many others is pricing, especially when it comes to DLC (which generally see less sale prices than full games). Despite being a fan of Rocksteady's Arkham franchise as well as Batman comics and other media, I can't help but feel as if the amount of content in the Nightwing DLC does not warrant it's cost. Perhaps the addition of a quest to play as Nightwing in the main game, or even just the ability to run around the streets of Arkham City as him would have made this package worth it. As is, all we get is a character that no matter how fun he is to play, we can only play to part of his potential and a couple of challenge maps, in a DLC that itself only lives up to part of its potential.

    Score:
    6.5/10
    Comments 1 Comment
    1. Jason Arriola's Avatar
      Jason Arriola - 11-05-2011
      Thanks for sharing the info on Nightwing, WildCard. It would have been neat to have Nightwing as another playable character after finishing the main story of the game like you can do with Catwoman. I'll have to consider it. It's not bad at $7, I might have some funds left in my PS3 wallet for that. Good review, buddy!

  • Review Scale

    Score 10- Flawless Victory: A score not handed out to every game. Games earning this rare score sit at the very pinnacle of excellence. These games act as the examples for which all others should be measured with. They are instant classics from the beginning. These games not only deliver what was expected of it, but also exceed the player’s expectations. The game’s features are innovative and original. No game is without its absolute flaws, but the finished product you bring home surpasses the anticipation the game has formed. A day one buy is a must. The game you hold in your hands with this score is a video game jackpot.

    Score 9 - 9.5- Outstanding: Games earning scores such as these absolutely must be played. Games that achieve this high ranking do so because they define the genres that they are in. Flaws are few and barely noticeable. Features seen in the game have been renovated to provide something new and fresh. The story, gameplay, graphics, and lasting appeal are all fantastic and is reason enough to bring the game home and to enjoy with family and friends. Every penny you spend on the game is so worth it.

    Score 8 - 8.5- Great: Any flaw the game may possess is overshadowed by its fun factor. These games would be great for gamers to play. These great games appeal to gamers more and more outside its normal player base because of what it brings to the table.

    Score 7 - 7.5- Good: Flaws do exist in these games, but the positive features of the game can counterbalance the flaws. Additionally, players who are predisposed to liking a game of a particular series or genre with this score should enjoy the game. These are in no way bad games, and much fun can be had with them. An overall good game is worth taking a look at, whether you are willing to buy the game or rent it first. That or you can also wait for the game to reach a good price.

    Score 6 - 6.5- Decent: Games falling into this category may suffer from numerous flaws (for example, graphics or gameplay), but are still worth playing. Granted, the player should be aware that a game with these scores may not guarantee them full satisfaction.

    Score 5 - 5.5- Average: An average game is one in which a game’s features are neither good nor completely terrible. Instead, the finished product is manageable. Little has been done to hold the player’s interest. If anything, rent this game before you consider buying it so that you can at least get a feel for the game’s overall experience.

    Score 4 - 4.5- Poor: Games falling into this category may only keep gamers entertained for a short while. While the game may seem enjoyable for moments at a time, it can quickly grow old and may never be revisited again. The game’s overall function is lacking in quality and may not hold the player’s attention for long. The game leaves little or nothing else to return back to.

    Score 3 - 3.5- Bad: If any positive qualities about a game in this category exist, it is not enough to redeem the game for its shortcomings. Sure you may find yourself playing it, but for how long? You will wind up not giving the game a second glance.

    Score 2 - 2.5- Horrible: Games such as these may not be totally unplayable, they nearly are. Additionally, they may lack, or greatly suffer in, the fundamental functionality of the software as a whole. The game simply does not come close to meeting industry standards at the time of its release.

    Score 1 - 1.5- Appalling: Gamers should avoid this game at all costs. The game was clearly not ready to make its way to store shelves in its status. Save your money and find something else. See it in the bargain bin? No! Stay away! Keep moving and look for something else.