Batman Vengeance Review

After giving Batman Vengeance a fair chance, I have come up with the conclusion that this game just flat out sucks. Over the past many years, the Caped Crusader has starred in many terrible games. The only decent Batman game that I can think of is actually on the NES and was called Batman: The Video Game made by Sun Soft. Even though I am not saying that Vengeance is a keeper, it sure isn’t a winner either.

Batman Vengeance is based on none other than the Warner Bros. Batman: The Animated Series, which debut about a decade ago on television. This is what the game’s look and feel is based off of. The only problem is that I don’t remember one good game that was based off of a cartoon in the history of video games. First off, the tutorial that starts you off couldn’t possibly be put into the game, could it? Of course it couldn’t! Ubi Soft just had to make a boring tutorial where you are in the Bat Cave doing crappy moves (you must remember, even though the Bat has gadgets, he doesn’t have many moves) and you are forced to do the tutorial, if you are a beginner or not.

In the beginning (after the freaking tutorial), Batman finds himself in a crooked situation, while investigating an anonymous call explaining that a fire has erupted close by. He rescues a girl named Mary from a bomb and she later explains that the Joker had kidnapped her son. She tells Batman that the Joker is demanding a ransom for his safe return. This is where the plot begins and your adventure gets under way. Throughout the game you will encounter the Joker, Poison Ivy, Mr. Freeze, and many more evil villains.

Even though I wasn’t too impressed with the visuals, it did do very great job at looking “cartoony�. Ubi Soft did a wonderful job at recreating the look and presentation of the cartoon series in which the game is based on. Batman moves very smoothly and you can see the realistic sway of his cape. When he glides, his cape becomes outstretched to support his heavy body weight. After bursting through doors, sliding down things, and climbing up ladders, you’d think that he’d be tired enough! I must say that the environments are quite large and very dark, with great lighting affects.

Even though it does have many qualities in this area, it does have it’s fair share of problems too. The camera system is a far cry from being perfect. Sometimes a corner might disrupt the action and makes it difficult for you to adjust to Batman’s position. The GameCube version has a few additional animations that the PS2 version doesn’t have.

Incredibly, Ubi Soft managed to save some of their dignity by giving Vengeance excellent sound. Amazingly, the voice acting in Vengeance is quite exceptional and the characters are able to deliver their lines believably and the voices match with the characters. For example: Batman has a deep voice and the Joker has a piercingly high voice. In the meantime, sound effects are up to par and so are musical tunes throughout the game. Even if it is “up to par�, par isn’t good enough for me. I want an eagle or a birdie.

Well, this is unfortunately where it really lacks in. I beat Batman Vengeance in about 3 hours. Yes, you heard me, 3 hours. This is equivalent to about Luigi’s Mansion (maybe a little more). If you were smart enough to check out my LM review, you’d know that games that take me less than 10 hours to beat don’t fare too well with me. When I buy a $50 game, I expect a $50. Even though, I my scores are supposed to tell you if you should buy it or not, I’m going to tell you now. Don’t buy it, rent it if you are interested in this game at all. No 3 hour game with no multiplayer is worth $50.

Even though Batman Vengeance is a mediocre game, mediocre games aren’t supposed to be in my pile of games that I own. I unfortunately didn’t read reviews and bought it (and was disappointed). I’m going to tell you now, Batman Vengeance has many downfalls, and a short game doesn’t help its reputation any. This might sound stupid to you, but I’m almost glad that Batman Vengeance wasn’t a 10 hour game. I would have lost my mind doing the same things over again. Ok, knock out the thugs, kill the boss. Knock out the thugs, kill the boss. Over and over again! Even with this being said, the game is not only repetitive, but it also has one of the most linear level designs ever created. The decent graphics and great voice acting will help Batman Vengeance in the final score though.