Review: Batman: Arkham Asylum “Insane Night” Map Pack

Batman: Arkham Asylum: For starters, I just want to say that I’m glad to be back writing for my own blog again. I also want to say that I’m excited to see such an enjoyable game getting free DLC so soon after release. Batman: AA has been one of my favorite gaming experiences in a while, it captures atmosphere like no game I’ve played since my inaugural run through Bioshock. DLC is too commonly used to withhold parts of a game at release, so it can be used for supplemental income for game developers. Rocksteady, Eidos, DC, and Warner Brothers are all coming through in a big way with the release of the Insane Night map pack.

Map 1: Totally Insane

In a break from the normal Freeflow Combo Challenges, Totally Insane isn’t a round-based fighting map, but instead an infinite fighting map. You just plow through piles of enemies until they can take down the Bat. This map doesn’t feature any dangerous weapons like knives, or guns, but does have those little creepy inmates that like to jump on Batman’s back, and they do an awesome job of combo breaking. Be sure not to try and throw these foes, as they can jump over you, and cause you multiplier to fade away. This map is very straightforward, like the rest of this game, and allows you to destroy a glass case or two, as you make your way through inmates.

I found this map to be very enjoyable, and it opens up a lot of combat possibilities. My highest combat multiplier in Batman: AA was around x30 up until I tried this new map. I now have reached a multiplier of x67, which is something I’ve yet to see anyone I know do. As of this writing I’m ranked 1082 in the world on this map with 35090 points… Come get me

Map 2: Nocturnal Hunter

This map is layered in a very interesting way. Enemies may see you, but with so many twists and turns, it seems easier to escape gunfire than most stealth challenges in this game. The three challenges are relatively simple, first they want you to do an inverted takedown through glass. This sounded like a harder concept than it proved to be when executed. Secondly, they want you to kick an inmate down a ladder after he climbs to the top of one. Just about as easy as it sounds, the only hard part is deciding when to do it, so you don’t get caught by nearby enemies. The third challenge is to finish the inmate wearing a red jumpsuit, last. Another simple challenge, that required me to turn my Detective Mode off, which is something I normally don’t do a lot of during challenge maps.

Overall this map took me three tries to accomplish everything, and I’m currently ranked 139 in the world with a time of 3.44.95.

In closing, I’d have to say this is a must download for anyone owning, renting, or borrowing Batman: Arkham Asylum on either system. I personally play on the 360, so that’s where my scores can be found.

Verdict: DOWNLOAD NOW