With my PS3 retrieved from the loft, it was was time to look at my games and try something. Lots of great games there, but something different caught a my eye; a licensed movie tie-in! I know, groans all round. You’re right, with a few exceptions they aren’t usually very good. But this has Batman in it! And it’s based on my favorite Batman film! How could Batman Begins be bad?!
Well, Batman Begins on PS2 is not a good game. It has ideas that will go on to become good elsewhere, but it generally veers between mediocre and nonsensical.
Perhaps the most positive way to describe the game is as a cross between Splinter Cell and a prototype of the Arkham games. You move between areas, figuring out the best way one designed way to take on groups of enemies, with gadgets you gain as the game progresses. In quieter moments you communicate with outside help, and you get to drive the Batmobile. Sounds great!
With the main story beats clumsily intact, repeated use of the word ‘fear’, and the majority of the film’s cast providing voice over, you can’t argue that the game is faithful to the film. It builds on the gold/bronze/brown colour pallet effectively and you get hear CHRISTIAN BALE IN A VIDEO GAME. Some very awkward behind the scenes interviews show us the cast, of which Cillian Murphy is clearly the only one who plays video games. Everyone else looks bemused. Lots of scripted “I must say it looks good” moments, which is hilarious when instead Michael Caine just talks about how he can’t work his emails.
There are a lot of negative aspects though. It’s awkward, with the control scheme providing the best example. You’re never quite sure if you’ve chosen the right item, or any item at all, and it’s not always clear if you can use them. This led to several occasions where I got smacked in the face rather than throw a smoke bomb. Locking onto enemies doesn’t adjust the camera, so I had to keep adjusting it myself. The entire fighting mechanic can work without blocking, whilst counters are clumsily implemented to the point of not being used.
Batman Begins is an extremely linear game but still manages to make next steps unclear.
The Batman himself looks pretty good, though it’s odd seeing his suit bend in ways the real version never could. He does have a pleasingly nasty face on all the time, and he glides nicely too. I’m not so keen on how he runs and climbs – it’s very ungainly – but he can be intimidating and he does like shouting in thugs faces.
Look past the top layer and it’s very shallow. Begins’ main issue is how the illusion of control is consistently broken.
I’ve played worse licensed games, and WB clearly tried to to tie it in strongly to the film. I love that film, and Batman. but that doesn’t make this a great game to play.
There is one major positive I’d like to part on. Christian Bale’s Batman shouting “I WANNA KNOW ABOUT BEARS AND RABBITS”. Say that in his voice and try not to smile.
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