Years Later, Batman Arkham: Asylum’s Intro Scene Still Sends Chills Down Your Spine

The Batman IP has long been revered as one of the most iconic superhero video game franchises, and this isn’t without good reason. It just goes without saying that back when the franchise kicked off with the onset of Batman: Arkham Asylum, you could easily tell that what Rocksteady cooked was way ahead of its time — right to the point that the Batman games still hold up magnificently in today’s day and age. 

It genuinely blows my mind—a 15-year-old or so action game going toe-to-toe against AAA modern-day releases. This is a reason why you’ll find us over at eXputer always recommending the Batman: Arkham trilogy, especially when it catches a hint of a sale. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be firing it up right now, in fact, in case you haven’t already. 

With Arkham Asylum, you don’t even have to stray too far to realize the quality of the game. Just play through the first 10 minutes and you’ll know what I’m on about here as you delve into what is easily one of the most memorable intros of games I’ve ever experienced.  

They Really Don’t Make ‘Em Like This Anymore 

The opening sequence of Arkham Asylum hooks you in like nothing else and sets you up for one overly thrilling joyride as you step foot into the psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane. Walking alongside Joker — one of Batman’s most iconic rivals — introduces you to the title’s immersion, and as you leave one room and enter another, you only get a slight taste of what’s about to come next. 

You also cannot shake the feeling that something bad is about to go down, even if everything looks seemingly okay. That slight touch of suspense is what truly sets the mood, speaking volumes about the length of the game that awaits ahead. 

The moment you see Killer Croc, an inescapable feeling emerges, affirming that there’s no way you’re not bumping into him later.” 

I’ll even go ahead and say that despite being flat-out terrific titles, the way Arkham Asylum introduces itself to gamers is unlike anything observed in the Batman games that came after it, including Arkham Knight, Arkham City, and even Arkham Origins. 

The Birth Of One Of The Greatest Superhero Titles Of All Time

I’ll always hold Arkham Asylum near and dear to my heart for spawning a rock-solid action-adventure franchise, giving The Caped Crusader the treatment he deserves in video game format. 

Rocksteady went all in, fortunately, and back then, the team comprised its original staff. Co-founders Sefton Hill and Jamie Walker spearheaded the franchise’s development, setting it up for greatness despite a lot of initial concerns pertaining to the quality of Batman: Arkham Asylum. 

Remember when this game first came out, and people thought it was going to end up like all the other Batman games? Boy, were we in for a shock,” says one fan on YouTube.

It also bears mentioning that not even the likes of Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, the mega-popular Insomniac IP, have managed to dethrone the Batman titles, specifically Batman: Arkham City, in terms of being the best-rated according to review aggregator Metacritic. Something tells me that this isn’t without probable cause. 

The Dire Current State Of The Batman: Arkham Franchise 

Now here’s the kicker: The Batman: Arkham franchise has long lost its former glory. The IP that sat on the throne has now been reduced to a glimpse of its previous self, as Warner Bros. Games plots to pursue the live service department now more than ever. 

After getting hit in the head with the debilitating sales performance of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, however, the company wants to shift its focus on core franchises, as confirmed by Warner Bros. Discover CEO David Zaslav. 

Considering that Suicide Squad is the next game in the Batman: Arkham series, WB didn’t follow up well with the onset of a Meta Quest 3-exclusive title either—Batman: Arkham Shadow. I mean, the latter is a pretty enjoyable game in its own right, but it’s not what fans and players have been thirsting for since long. Me and you both know what that is. 

Anyone else miss having a new batman game to get excited over?
byu/burgerman000 inbatman

A New Ray Of Hope

Though currently unconfirmed, word has it that a new Batman game is in the works over at Rocksteady. Take this with a huge grain of salt, because it’s not uncommon in the industry for rumors to go amiss after some time. 

In other news, Batman: Arkham Asylum might also be getting a remake. The source citing this doesn’t exactly have the best of reputations when it boils down to reporting on rumors, but it’s still worth putting it out there. 

Let me know in the comments ahead whether Batman: Arkham Asylum is still a game that you keep revisiting from time to time.