———– SPOILER ALERT ———–

We at g33kWatch attended the official Arkham City panel at the con the next day and we will discuss that in more detail on the podcast. (That’s why you have to read and listen to us folks) But there was one major piece of spoilery action that could not go unmentioned. Since WB games was kind enough to allow filming in the theatre during the event … (including video of the live gameplay section) we did just that as well as we could. This gameplay section holds a MASSIVE SPOILER. So you’ve been warned.

Hello g33ks, m33ks and Bebop. I just got back from the press preview evening at NY Comic Con 2011. I now understand why people fly in to San Diego early just to attend the preview night. I was able to see Thursday night, what has in the past, taken a couple of DAYS at other conventions like PAX East or even last year at NYCC.

I am glad to say that I was able to cover one of my most anticipated games of the year on Thursday night – Batman: Arkham City. The sequel to the critically lauded and hugely successful Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009) this game promises to take The Dark Knight into a living breathing prison city full of his Rogues Gallery. The developer of both Asylum and City is, Rocksteady Studios; who were selected as the 2009 Video Game Awards Best Studio.

Lead Marketing Director, and all around good bloke, Dax Ginn was kind enough to take a few minutes to talk to me about the game, the motives of the developers and how happy he is that the game is about to be launched so he can sleep.

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So now that you’ve heard me talk to Dax about the game you probably want to know what my impressions of it are. In the demo you are able to play a sequence as both Catwoman and Batman. As Dax says in the interview you get to do and see things as Catwoman that you don’t get to as Batman. Without spoiling the mission too much Catwoman breaks into the hideout of Two-Face in an attempt to steal something from his safe. After taking out his henchmen guarding the office she is captured. This is where the demo switches to Batman as you work to free Catwoman and then work further to solve a case involving a sniper attack.

In this demo you got a real flavor of the differences between Arkham City and Arkham Asylum. Playing as Catwoman is not unfamiliar to anyone used to playing as Batman but you will fight differently and use different methods to take down your opponents. She is a fun character and any worries I had previously that she would disrupt the flow of the game are now out the window. Batman of course feels like BATMAN! In all the best ways possible. You have new takedowns that are just as or even more satisfying than those in the original game and who doesn’t love playing with the gadgets.

Dax’s statement that Rocksteady’s developers want you to feel like Batman completely shines through the gameplay which is just as good or better than in Asylum. The city really is large and while waiting to play I saw a man get completely caught up by Riddler challenges and was so engrossed he forgot to go on the main mission. Rounding out the game with voice acting by Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as well a story written by Paul Dini should satisfy even the most hardcore Batman fanboys and convert others who just want to play a great game. I look forward to playing the full game when released on October 18th.

– Mr. Khon