Batman: Return to Arkham

86%
Game Brain Score Based on 125 reviews
  • graphics
  • story
  • gameplay
Batman: Return to Arkham Game Cover
Excellent package and upgrade to a truly incredible franchise.
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"Batman: Return to Arkham" is a single-player Role Playing game with sensational visuals, featuring remastered versions of "Batman: Arkham Asylum" and "Batman: Arkham City". Explore the depths of Arkham Asylum in the first game, using Batman's gadgets and confronting super villains. The second game, "Arkham City", takes place in a sprawling district in Gotham City with a new story, all-star characters, and enhanced gameplay features from the Batman universe. Both games include all previously released additional content.

  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Xbox One
  • Xbox Series X|S
  • Play​Station
  • Xbox
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

86%
Audience ScoreBased on 125 reviews
graphics15 positive mentions
optimization5 negative mentions
  • Both games are fantastic with great stories and fun gameplay, making them a must-play for Batman fans.
  • The remaster features improved graphics and includes all DLC, providing excellent value for players.
  • The games run smoothly on current-gen consoles, and the nostalgic experience of revisiting these classics is highly enjoyable.
  • The remaster suffers from uneven frame rates, with noticeable stuttering that can detract from the gameplay experience.
  • Some character models look off, and the default brightness settings are excessively bright, affecting the atmosphere.
  • Arkham Origins is not included in this collection, which disappoints fans hoping for a complete remaster of the series.
  • graphics34 mentions

    The graphics in the remastered version of the game are generally praised for their excellent textures and improved visuals, with notable enhancements to character models and environments. However, some users have pointed out inconsistencies, such as occasional glitches, dark visuals, and a plastic-like appearance in certain character designs. Overall, while the graphics show a decent upgrade from the original versions, they do not fully meet the expectations set by more recent titles in the franchise.

    • “The one area where this remaster really shines is in the graphical department; Batman's cape looks textured and strong, Joker's suit appears weathered, and Catwoman's signature catsuit is shiny and sleek.”
    • “The updated graphics are incredible and everything about this game is clean.”
    • “I liked it; I really enjoyed the Arkham series. The graphics were amazing and the story was amazing for both games. I really recommend it to any Batman fan.”
    • “The visuals were extremely dark; in fact, we can all agree they looked like they were going to be worse than the PS3 version.”
    • “I am happy to have these on my current generation (PS4), but the game was very poorly optimized in my experience and the graphics aren't as good as they could have been.”
    • “The only downside is that the graphics look a bit plastic on the character's side.”
  • story11 mentions

    The story in the Batman Arkham series is widely praised for its depth and engaging narrative, making it a standout feature for fans of the franchise. Reviewers highlight the well-written plot, excellent voice acting, and the enjoyment derived from iconic battles against villains like Mr. Freeze and Penguin. Overall, the combination of a compelling story and stellar gameplay makes it a must-play for Batman enthusiasts.

    • “If you're a fan of Batman and you didn't play the Arkham games on PS3/360, they're definitely worth your time. This collection is a fantastic jumping point for players who may want to catch up on the story before playing Arkham Knight.”
    • “The story is terrific, the voice acting is top-notch, and the gameplay is stellar.”
    • “I liked it; I really enjoyed the Arkham series. The graphics were amazing and the story was fantastic for both games. I really recommend it to any Batman fan.”
    • “Had to completely restart the game story on one occasion.”
    • “And for those that haven't played it before, I hope you can get half as much enjoyment out of it as I did with its moderate challenge level and well-written story.”
    • “... arkham everyone talking about this game this game is awesome it has great graphics good background story even bad ...”
  • gameplay6 mentions

    The gameplay in "Batman: Return to Arkham" is praised for its stellar mechanics and engaging experience, maintaining the core elements that fans love while benefiting from updated graphics. While some players find it challenging, this difficulty adds to the enjoyment, and the overall value for two classic games is considered excellent.

    • “The story is terrific, the voice acting is top-notch, and the gameplay is stellar.”
    • “The game has updated graphics with the same great gameplay!”
    • “Batman: Return to Arkham isn't the greatest ever remaster, but the price offers excellent value and the gameplay of both Asylum and City still hold up.”
  • optimization6 mentions

    The optimization of the games has received mixed reviews, with many players noting significant frame stuttering and choppy performance, particularly in certain areas like the sewers and corridors. However, post-patch improvements have enhanced performance, eliminating most issues, though some still feel the graphics could be better. Overall, while the experience can be enjoyable, the initial optimization problems detract from the gameplay.

    • “After the patches, the game runs flawlessly with no performance hiccups. The controls remain the same, and they added rain that wasn't there before, which makes Batman's cape show the rain running off of it.”
    • “Both games feel choppy and the frame stuttering is noticeable almost right away.”
    • “There are parts in the asylum, especially in the sewers and throughout the various corridors, where the stuttering is constant and it becomes distracting the longer it goes on.”
    • “I am happy to have these on my current generation (PS4), but the game was very poorly optimized in my experience and the graphics aren't as good as they could have been.”
  • stability6 mentions

    Overall, the game's stability is mixed; while many players appreciate its nostalgic value and enjoyable gameplay, they report experiencing bugs, crashes, and graphical glitches that hinder the experience. Some users find these issues significant enough to affect playability, particularly in the remastered versions.

    • “The game looks and runs great.”
    • “I haven't experienced any crashes or bugs, which is impressive.”
    • “The performance is smooth, making for a seamless gaming experience.”
    • “I had one crash and a few graphical glitches.”
    • “There's some interesting glitches that keep this from being 5/5 though.”
    • “Tried reinstalling but the game still glitches so much it's unplayable.”
  • atmosphere3 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is characterized by vibrant and detailed environments, which some players find overly bright, potentially detracting from the overall mood. While the brightness may be a point of contention, it does not significantly diminish the game's appealing and immersive atmosphere.

    • “The atmosphere is beautifully crafted, with vibrant colors and intricate details that bring the world to life.”
    • “The game's atmosphere strikes a perfect balance between brightness and detail, creating an engaging and immersive experience.”
    • “Even the IGN review comments on this... the extreme brightness of the environment kills the atmosphere and mood.”
    • “Some may be bothered by the brighter environments, but it's not enough to ruin the atmosphere.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
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Critic Reviews

78% average critic score

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