Batman: Arkham VR

66%
Game Brain Score Based on 1,528 reviews
  • story
  • graphics
  • gameplay
Batman: Arkham VR Game Cover
"The Arkham series has already done a great job at putting players in the role on Batman, but the level of immersion in Batman: Arkham VR takes things to the next level."
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"Immerse yourself in the dark and gritty world of Gotham as the legendary crime fighter, Batman, in Batman: Arkham VR. Explore iconic locations such as Wayne Manor and the Batcave, and become the world's greatest detective as you solve a new and personal mystery in Rocksteady's Arkham universe, all through the power of virtual reality."

  • PC
  • Play​station 4
  • Virtual Reality
  • Windows
  • Oculus Rift
  • Play​Station
  • Play​Station VR
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

66%
Audience ScoreBased on 1,528 reviews
story121 positive mentions
grinding5 negative mentions
  • story534 mentions

    The story in this game is generally described as very short, often completed in under an hour, and lacking depth, with many reviewers likening it to a tech demo rather than a full-fledged game. While some players appreciated the intriguing narrative and immersive atmosphere, they noted that the plot is often predictable and unsatisfying, leaving them wanting more content and engagement. Overall, the experience is seen as enjoyable for fans of the Arkham series, but the brevity and linearity of the story detract from its potential.

    • “The story is interesting and it will be familiar if you've played Arkham Knight.”
    • “The story is very dark and quite sad and even at times scary, but this game is quite good.”
    • “It's a short Batman detective story with (optional) puzzles, and I enjoyed it for what it is.”
    • “The story is extremely short; however, it does include some interesting tricks, but it is nothing like what you would expect from the Batman series.”
    • “The main story can be completed in roughly 30-45 minutes, and it ends abruptly, leaving you wanting more.”
    • “The story is dull, and they removed all the things that could be fun from the game, like combat.”
  • graphics307 mentions

    The graphics in the game are widely praised for their stunning detail and immersive quality, often described as some of the best seen in VR to date. Players appreciate the realistic character models and environments, which effectively bring the world of Gotham City to life, despite some criticisms regarding the game's short length and limited gameplay. Overall, the visuals are considered a highlight, making the experience worthwhile for fans of the Batman franchise and VR enthusiasts alike.

    • “The graphics and sound have unparalleled quality compared to any other VR game as far as the Steam shop goes.”
    • “The graphics are stunning, with detailed environments and character models that bring the world of Gotham City to life.”
    • “The graphics are incredible, totally immersing you into the world of Batman.”
    • “It's aged, the settings are way too sparse with no volume control and barely a single resolution dial for graphics.”
    • “This excuse for a Batman game has worse graphics than any 'Arkham' game I've ever seen.”
    • “Sadly, those graphics and the immersive quality are wasted due to quite literally a lack of content.”
  • gameplay198 mentions

    The gameplay in "Batman: Arkham VR" is primarily focused on exploration and puzzle-solving, offering a short experience that typically lasts around 30 minutes to an hour. While the mechanics are simple and well-executed, many players feel the game lacks depth and variety, resembling more of a tech demo or interactive movie than a full-fledged game. The visuals and immersive elements are praised, but the overall gameplay experience is considered limited and not worth the full price for most players.

    • “The gameplay is amazing, the graphics outstanding, but the game is non-existent.”
    • “The visual polish, simplicity of gameplay, and iconic franchise tie-in makes Batman: Arkham VR an appealing game for those new to VR.”
    • “The gameplay is mostly puzzle-oriented and takes a lot from the detective/analyze sections from the Arkham games, and I'll tell you... it's really cool to actually play this in VR style.”
    • “You can finish this 'short story' in 30 minutes or less and basically it's just clicking on specific stuff to unfold the non-existing gameplay.”
    • “There's not much in terms of story or gameplay, so don't expect a full game out of this.”
    • “The gameplay is limited to interacting with things directly in front of you or using a tool to point at highlighted parts of the scenery.”
  • replayability69 mentions

    Overall, the game's replayability is limited, with many players noting that it can be completed in under an hour and lacks substantial content to encourage multiple playthroughs. While there are some collectibles and challenges, such as the Riddler's trophies, that offer minor replay value, most reviewers feel that the experience does not justify the price, especially given its short duration. Players seeking a deeper or more varied gameplay experience may find the replayability insufficient.

    • “Once you complete the game, there is some replay value in finding and solving all the Riddler's challenges.”
    • “Despite its short playtime, the game's replayability and stunning graphics make it a worthwhile investment for any Batman fan with access to virtual reality technology.”
    • “It is pretty decently replayable though - the addition of Riddler's (hilariously fourth-wall breaking) puzzles in subsequent playthroughs rewards investigating each scene more closely than you did on your first run.”
    • “The game is not long enough for the price and has very little replayability.”
    • “You beat the game in 35 minutes with 0 replayability.”
    • “There isn’t really much replay value unless you just want achievements.”
  • atmosphere38 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its immersive and detailed representation of Gotham, enhanced by excellent sound design, music, and voice acting. Players feel a strong sense of presence and tension, with the environment effectively contributing to the overall experience, despite some criticism regarding puzzle difficulty and the game's short length. Overall, the atmospheric elements are considered a standout feature, making it a must-play for fans of the series and virtual reality gaming.

    • “The sound design is also well-done, with atmospheric music and sound effects that enhance the game's immersive experience.”
    • “The atmosphere is also outstanding, where fog and rain effects really bring the cityscapes and underbellies to life.”
    • “You really do feel like you're Batman; you really do feel the dark atmosphere of Gotham.”
    • “Other than that, the atmosphere is very well done even as I thought the story's resolution was extremely disappointing, but if you can get around that and the short running time (even $10 would be a bit much for what you get, especially when Arkham Knight is often cheaper at this point than this game is), I've had a lot of fun with this, and I anticipate going back to complete the rest of the post-game content.”
    • “You really do feel like you're Batman, you really do feel the dark atmosphere of Gotham.”
    • “Sure, I can absolutely justify it; they clearly spent a lot of time developing and testing this game, getting the atmosphere and controls just right, and employing grade A voice actors like Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill.”
  • optimization21 mentions

    Overall, the game's optimization is highly praised, with many users reporting excellent performance and stunning graphics, even on high settings. While some experienced minor stuttering or slowdowns during specific actions, the majority found the game to run smoothly, showcasing effective rendering techniques that enhance visual fidelity without sacrificing performance. The attention to detail in both graphics and optimization contributes to a satisfying experience for players with decent setups.

    • “While my computer and headset are still fairly top-of-the-line, the game is so expertly optimized that anyone with a decent setup could appreciate it just as much.”
    • “They have multiple rendering options and multiple sub-configurations below each of those to really max out the performance and get the best graphics possible.”
    • “Great implementation of NVIDIA multi-res shading/static foveated rendering to get the highest visual fidelity out of the engine at the lowest performance cost, demonstrating that first-generation VR is more capable than you thought it was -- this game looks better than anything available for VR with smooth performance to boot.”
    • “I did get some stuttering initially, but for some reason making the focused window a different application solved that.”
    • “Sitting there with the Oculus Rift on my head, arms hanging down on the sides and mouth open for at least 2 minutes and then the stuttering rant in the form of: are you fxxxxxx kidding me?”
    • “Despite the really high visual quality, I did not see any performance issues.”
  • music15 mentions

    The music in the game has received mixed reviews, with some players appreciating the atmospheric sound design and its ability to evoke the Arkham series, while others expressed disappointment over the absence of iconic Batman themes. Overall, the soundtrack is considered decent but not exceptional, contributing positively to the immersive experience without standing out significantly.

    • “The sound design is also well-done, with atmospheric music and sound effects that enhance the game's immersive experience.”
    • “Technically it is really good: graphics, music, and voiceovers are exactly like in other Rocksteady games; you can feel the Arkham atmosphere right away.”
    • “All beautifully done, with fantastic graphics, music, and atmosphere.”
    • “Wish they had some of the iconic Batman theme music included, but the soundtrack they have is fine.”
    • “The graphics, music, and direction are decent and evocative of the Arkham games, but the plot is derivative and frankly stupid.”
    • “Because the only thing I can do now is lie in the Batcave and listen to music.”
  • emotional12 mentions

    Players express a strong emotional connection to the game, particularly through its immersive storytelling and character portrayal, which allows them to feel like Batman. The combination of impactful music, emotional scenes, and high-quality voice acting enhances the experience, evoking genuine feelings of empathy and nostalgia, especially for fans of the franchise. However, some users noted that the game's length left them wanting more emotional engagement.

    • “When the Arkham Knight score kicked in, I genuinely got emotional.”
    • “The story is great, there are jump scares and emotional scenes, ones that let you feel insanity, and the puzzles, while not difficult, are interesting.”
    • “The graphics were superb, the voice acting was done amazingly, and there is a part that is entirely heart-wrenching in it, showing the writers were really thinking on how to maximize this small experience.”
  • grinding9 mentions

    Many users express frustration with the excessive grinding required in certain games, suggesting it can be tedious and time-consuming, often feeling like players need a "second life" to complete it. However, some appreciate the developers' decision to allow players to skip chapters, which helps alleviate the monotony of grinding in repeated playthroughs. Overall, there is a call for balance, as players prefer engaging gameplay over unnecessary grind.

    • “You'll need a second life for grinding.”
    • “Sorry, but grinding for dozens of hours in VR isn't fun for many games.”
    • “I actually didn't finish all the Batman games; they got tedious.”
  • stability8 mentions

    Overall, the stability of the game is generally positive, with many users reporting smooth performance and minimal bugs on various hardware setups. However, some players have encountered specific issues, particularly with certain gameplay mechanics, suggesting that troubleshooting may be necessary for a seamless experience. Community support is available for those facing difficulties.

    • “One of the best VR games I've played to date; looks amazing, runs great, and is genuinely fun.”
    • “Runs great on my 1070.”
    • “Runs great for me (980ti with latest drivers), no stutters and a few graphic options in there.”
    • “Kinda buggy at times, and there are very specific ways you need to scan a character's fingerprints.”
    • “Yeah, that was mostly my time testing after troubleshooting.”
    • “I hope everyone can try and play this game too now with zero issues; if anyone needs any help troubleshooting it, feel free to send me a message or follow the guides in the community forums as I advised.”
  • humor7 mentions

    The humor in the game is described as hit-or-miss, with some players finding it amusing while others feel it falls flat, particularly due to technical issues. However, the inclusion of fourth-wall breaking puzzles adds a layer of replayability and humor that can enhance the experience on subsequent playthroughs. Overall, while the humor may not resonate with everyone, it offers moments of levity that some players appreciate.

    • “It would be a funny 'joke' ;) but after putting up with all that jank it was more like the final fuse ;).”
    • “It is pretty decently replayable though - the addition of Riddler's (hilariously fourth-wall breaking) puzzles in subsequent playthroughs rewards investigating each scene more closely than you did on your first run - so don't let that initial runtime put you off.”
    • “Funny part is it says 'speakers' when you are selecting the 2 options, even though speakers isn't an option available.”
  • monetization3 mentions

    The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a cash grab, with users feeling that the $5 charge for advertisements is excessive. Additionally, the first generation of VR content is viewed as short and lacking replay value, further contributing to the perception of it being an unfinished product.

    • “$5 is too much to pay for an advertisement.”
    • “Cash grab”
    • “The first generation of VR content tends to be really short, experimental stuff with little to no replay value - more of a quick cash grab, rather than a finished product.”
  • character development1 mentions

    Character development in this game is influenced by the aftermath of Arkham City, particularly the absence of the Joker, which shifts the focus to new vehicles and character designs reminiscent of Arkham Knight. This transition allows for exploration of characters in a changed landscape, though some players feel it lacks depth compared to previous installments.

    • “The character development feels shallow and lacks depth, making it hard to connect with the protagonists.”
    • “I was disappointed by how little the characters evolved throughout the story; their arcs felt predictable and uninspired.”
    • “Despite the interesting premise, the characters remain one-dimensional and fail to grow in meaningful ways.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

72% average critic score

Buy Batman: Arkham VR

Play time

3hMedian play time
55hAverage play time
2hMain story
14hCompletionist
2-9hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 21 analyzed playthroughs

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