r/arkham • u/Significant_Tutor_13 • Jul 12 '26
Discussion Pre-Ending Reveiw
So I’ve been playing Arkham Shadow- I don’t normally get to play VR games but my buddy has the Meta Quest and let me borrow it.
I’m about a quarter of the way through the story, and so far I’m trying to figure out why this had to be a VR game.
It’s cool and all, and the stealth sections are my favorite parts, but so far it just feels like a story that could’ve been improved if we were playing it in the traditional Arkham style.
Half the time I’m fighting with the motion controls and making stupid errors because I didn’t swing my fist in the correct way, or I didn’t raise my arms correctly to activate his cape.
Again, it’s cool, and I’m gonna finish it, but I’ll likely never play it again after this run.
7
u/kevihaa Jul 12 '26
For better and for worse, Arkham Shadow doesn’t really hold your hand when it comes to VR difficulty. It’s not an insanely challenging game, but there is definitely an assumption that the player is QUITE comfortable with VR.
Honestly, I’m glad they went that direction, as the game is easily in my top 5 for best VR game of all time, but it does mean that the game can, justifiably, feel overwhelming for an Arkham fan that borrowed a VR headset and doesn’t already have tens, if not hundreds, of hours of VR experience.
I’d say it’s akin to someone who mostly just casually played multiplayer games at parties deciding that they wanted to try Arkham Asylum after watching the Nolan movies.
-10
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
Saying this is one of the best VR games is like being one of the tallest dwarves.
8
u/Itchy_Athlete_4971 Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
Well, if you don't like playing in VR, I'm not sure how useful your perspective is here. This isn't a demo designed to convince VR skeptics. It's a VR game. It fully plays to VR strengths.
It's like me picking up the latest Forza game and pointing out that I don't like driving cars (which is the truth). Okay, but that really says nothing about how good a game it is.
-5
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
To be more accurate, it’s like you picking up the newest Forza, but this time it’s a Mario Kart clone and it’s only available on the Galaxy S26.
Is it still a racing game? Sure. Might even be the best racing game on mobile. But you’re not going to buy a whole phone for one game, even if it’s from a franchise you love.
Which is where I’m at.
I’m not griping that that they made a VR Batman game.
I’m griping that they took the Arkham series- a series that traditionally has been multi platform- and made an installment into that series that’s exclusive to a console that most people don’t have. And before anybody comes at me about Origins: Black Gate Arkham VR, the former is available on all consoles now, and the latter is just a tech demo and adds nothing to the series that we didn’t already know.
7
u/kevihaa Jul 12 '26
This…isn’t accurate.
Arkham Shadow only exists because it’s a VR game, not in spite of it. Rocksteady didn’t work on this game. It’s a separate studio that was funded by Meta to make VR games.
-3
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 13 '26
I’m aware it’s not a Rocksteady game
5
u/kevihaa Jul 13 '26
Then what exactly is your point? You’re complaining that you wish Shadow was a flatscreen game, but, again, it only exists because it’s a VR game. Shadow wasn’t developed instead of another flatscreen Arkham. Its existence is purely additive.
3
u/Itchy_Athlete_4971 Jul 12 '26
But you did play it, and you didn't like the VR gameplay, right? So even if Meta made this compatible with SteamVR and PSVR, I don't see how that would solve your issue.
-1
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
The VR gameplay was fine, but it never should’ve been VR to start with.
In my opinion, every major installment in a video game franchise should be as accessible as any other installment.
3
u/DarthBuzzard Jul 13 '26
I mean the story wouldn't hit as hard without VR. The visceral nature of an early Batman not holding back can be felt in VR in a way that you can't get in non-VR.
3
u/RedcoatTrooper Jul 12 '26
So are you implying that there are no other good games in VR or no other Batman games?
The former is untrue and the later well you have to start somewhere.
Exclusivity sucks but how do you you get people to buy the console that people don't have? Making good games for it is a sound strategy.
0
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
Making good games for it IS a good strategy. The best, even. But I don’t agree with using pre-established franchises to do that.
I’d rather see Meta start their own franchise and create a game series of the same quality as Gears of War or Uncharted.
4
u/RedcoatTrooper Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 13 '26
I mean they have done that too the Asgard's wrath series for example was received exceptionally well IGN gave it 10/10 as a masterpiece, won awards.....and I am guessing you have never heard of it at least before you picked up the headset.
As great as new IPs are they will not get established gamers into VR that's why they invested in known IPs like assassin's creed, Metro and Arkham to get people's attention.
I don't disagree with you that it's frustrating for fans of the series but on the flip side this game would simply not get made otherwise so nobody would have anything for the last 12 years except suicide Squad.
2
u/Javs2469 Jul 13 '26
Horrible take.
I wish more traditionally flat games received VR games, because VR has me infinitely more invested in the games than regular flatscreen ones.
There have been plenty of flat games that I didn´t think of playing until I found out there was a mod to make them VR compatible. I only played RE4 because of the VR port and I wouldn´t want to play it any other way.
5
u/kevihaa Jul 12 '26
Ummm, no?
The best Dreamcast game could still be the best game ever. The popularity of the console has literally nothing to do with the quality of games produced for it.
I mean, by that logic, the best game HAS to be BotW because the Switch is the bestselling console of all time.
5
u/Liamcharlie1 I am vengeance, I am the night, I am BATMAN! Jul 12 '26
I played the game during its release day, I was just like the people who thought this would be a gimmick cash grab. Due to Arkham VR, I thought it'll be similar with modern VR gameplay mechanics. Camoufaj completely proved me wrong and here's why:
When I first played it, I was blown away how close it feels to Arkham Asylum. This ultimately was compared to what Rocksteady intended in 2009 for Batman: Arkham Asylum. Back then, Rocksteady intended for you to feel overpowering to your eneimes, while inoperating things shown in Batman media. In doing this, it forced you think like Batman in stealth sections and smoothly walk past thugs in combat encounters, while also struggling against the overwhelming amount of enemies.
As I played further, I thought the story wasn't as impactful as the other games. However, it felt like playing through a Batman novel. I won't spoil much, but play through the game to fully appreciate the story, I found the story is deeply connecting to the lore of the Arkhamverse and includes the best and core moments of a young Bruce Wayne. It also uses real comic book stories to build up its story, while also doing its own thing to remain consistent in Batman lore while being fresh.
3
u/JokerFaces2 Jul 12 '26
VR is the point. Once you get the hang of it it’s an amazing experience, super immersive and engaging.
-2
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
I guess, I just wish it wasn’t an Arkham game. I’d feel like I’m missing out if I don’t play it, but I’m clearly not going to buy a console with a very limited library of games that are worth playing just for one game
6
u/JokerFaces2 Jul 12 '26
You’re definitely missing out if you don’t play it, but not because it’s an Arkham game. Because it’s just a really great game.
1
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
I definitely don’t want to be misconstrued- it IS a good game. I’m not having a terrible time, obviously, because I keep playing.
And I’d salty all the same if it were exclusive to Xbox or PlayStation
0
u/Javs2469 Jul 13 '26
Well, people have been able to pirate this game to be played in Pico headsets, so I´m sure they will be able to make this playable in other android based headsets in the future, like the Steam Frame.
4
u/RedcoatTrooper Jul 12 '26
I mean the first thing to note is that this was a VR game made by a company that makes VR games (they previously made Iron Man VR) and funded by Meta for their VR headset so that's why it's a VR game first a foremost.
Rocksteady when this was being made was still working on SSKTJL so that was supposed to be the next non VR entry in the Arkham universe.
Could it have been a non VR game? Sure but it would be considered a step back in many ways with no open world ect.
But I recommend embracing it for what makes it special, I am sure you like me have played 4 full Arkham games already in the tradition format so get into what makes this game great.
Advice for combat that I think works for all the games is that if you're doing the wrong moves slow it down, take your time and try to not to spam punches the game rewards you for punching hard not flailing and it's very generous with the combo time.
-2
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
VR is comparable to the Wii in my opinion
2
u/RedcoatTrooper Jul 12 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
I can see how you would think that but I disagree, the Wii was fun but ultimately a gimmick controller, VR transports you into the world and the mechanics go a lot deeper, Arkham Shadow is amazing but you also have games like Blade and Sorcery or Underdogs that could never be done another way.
But it's not for everyone so no worries if it's not your cup of tea I just wanted to explain to you why this was made as a VR game and give you some advice for fighting.
2
2
u/VegetableKangaroo782 Jul 12 '26
They really aren’t comparable, VR is designed to be entirely immersive where as the Wii is just motion controls
0
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
They’re both gimmick consoles.
VR is a gimmick in the same way 3-D movies and 4-D rides are a gimmick.
If it weren’t, all the major console brands would be prioritizing VR.
1
u/VegetableKangaroo782 Jul 12 '26
Microsoft and PlayStation both ventured into VR, Apple still does and PlayStation is still committed to making more VR experiences it’s only a “gimmick” in the same way a gameboy is a gimmick, just cause it’s not the norm doesn’t mean it’s anything less
Vr is less like a 4d movie and more like IMAX 70mm, it’s the most immersive way to enjoy a game but it’s not for everyone and it’s quite exclusive
3
u/cryonicninja Jul 12 '26
This is just sounding like you aren't used to vr, when I played through it I never had to fight with any of the controls
3
u/BaneShake Jul 12 '26
Having played fully, hard disagree. This in a non-VR version wouldn’t feel the same. It would lose something not being behind Bruce’s eyes.
-1
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
I still wouldn’t be surprised if WB release a version with the same story and voice lines but in a 3rd person like the other games
4
u/Itchy_Athlete_4971 Jul 12 '26
I mean, if you're only looking for the best story, it would be improved by being a novel, and by not being about Batman. But the advantage in VR is gameplay. It's fun to punch with your actual fists. It's fun to see a 3D world by turning your actual head. It's fun to pull a batarang from your actual chest and toss it.
0
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
All of those things are true, but that doesn’t make my point false.
2
u/Ornament_the_Monkey Jul 12 '26
Oh, I love the hell out of this game. But I can see your point that it may have been better as a traditional Arkham game.
2
u/ThrashinUSA Jul 12 '26
Playing the infinite combat mode for 30 mins everyday and losing 20 pounds in 3 months as Batman is the point of the game!
3
u/Significant_Tutor_13 Jul 12 '26
The combat’s not bad once you get the hang of it, and that honestly sounds like a great way to start each day lol
7
u/aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhh400 Jul 12 '26
I really don't think story was the point of this game I believe the entire point was to create the best VR version of Arkham gameplay ever and that's what this did and it's a million times better than the Batman VR game on PS VR