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Batman Begins
Developer(s)	Eurocom
Publisher(s)	EA Games Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Platform(s)	Xbox, Nintendo GameCube, PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, Mobile Phones
Release date(s)	NA June 14, 2005 [1] PAL June 17, 2005 Mobile NA June 1, 2005
Genre(s)	Action-adventure game, Stealth game
Mode(s)	Single-player
Rating(s)	BBFC: 12 ESRB: Teen OFLC: M 15+ PEGI: 16+ USK: 12 GBA ESRB: Everyone PEGI: 12+ USK: 12

Batman Begins is a 2005 video game based on the film of the same name.^[2] It was released June 14, 2005, a day before the 2005 American superhero film was released. It was developed by Eurocom and published by Electronic Arts in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics. It was released on Xbox, PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube and Game Boy Advance.^[2]

[edit] Gameplay

The game has a unique system involving intimidation. Whereas most superhero games require straightforward fighting, Batman Begins features the utilization of the environment to frighten opponents. Certain gadgets designed to frighten enemies during combat are provided, such as smoke grenades, flash bang grenades, and an 'HF Transponder', which summons bats to gather around and incapacitate enemies with fear. On top of this is traditional stealth gameplay reminiscent of the Splinter Cell series (this probably due to the fact that the game was written by Splinter Cell creator JT Petty), such as sneaking and taking out enemies from behind. There are many ways to incapacitate enemies with stealth, using various combat and martial arts techniques.

[edit] Story

The game adheres to the movie's plot very closely, with minor modifications. Throughout the game there are over 20 clips from the film that give context to the story. Though it follows the movie, the game goes deeper into each scene. For example, at the docks, the player learns specifically how Falcone was hoisted on a crane and how Batman infiltrated Arkham Asylum. It also presents a slightly alternate ending; Batman is forced to detonate the Batmobile in order to destroy the monorail tracks and stop Ra's Al Ghul from reaching Wayne Tower with the Microwave Emitter, whereas in the film, Sergeant Gordon uses the Batmobile's missiles to destroy the tracks. Two members of the film's crew make cameo appearances in the game; Wally Pfister, the film's director of photography, appears as a mob informant Batman interrogates, and Emma Thomas, producer of the film and wife of director Christopher Nolan, appears as an Arkham psychologist.

[edit] Reception

Reviews of the game found it generally average. Many criticized the linear gameplay and the unrealistic artificial intelligence. Nintendo Power Magazine gave the game a 6.5 out of 10. Gamespot mentioned that it felt like a combination of several other popular games. However, the graphics were highly praised, as was the voice acting. It received G4's award for 'Best Graphics on PS2 and Xbox'.

[edit] Cast

• Bruce Wayne/Batman (voiced by Christian Bale): A multi-billionaire industrialist, playboy, and philanthropist. When he was younger, he witnessed the murder of his parents in front of him, which gave him the resolve to train his body and mind. This gave him the skill to become the Batman.
• Alfred Pennyworth (voiced by Michael Caine): Batman's tireless butler, assistant, confidante, and surrogate father figure. In the game, he is Batman's link to extraneous information and aids him whenever he can.
• Henri Ducard/Ra's al Ghul (voiced by Liam Neeson): The man that trained Bruce in the art of invisibility, Ra's returns to Gotham at the game's climax to seek revenge on Bruce and his city.
• Rachel Dawes (voiced by Katie Holmes) : Bruce's childhood friend, Rachel helps reveal Jonathan Crane as a demented psychopath.
• Carmine Falcone (voiced by Tom Wilkinson): Gotham City's "untouchable" crime lord is the Batman's first target in his war on crime.
• Jonathan Crane/Scarecrow (voiced by Cillian Murphy): Moonlighting as a psychiatric specialist, Crane is in fact testing his unique fear toxin on the inmates of Arkham Asylum.
• Lucius Fox (voiced by Morgan Freeman): A Wayne Enterprises worker in the Applied Sciences division, Fox helps Bruce gather the equipment and weapons he will need to wage his war on crime.
• Ra's Al Ghul (Impersonator) (voiced by Ken Watanabe): Ra's al Ghul's phantom decoy.
• Victor Zsasz (voiced by Tim Booth): A sadistic serial killer loose in Arkham Asylum, Batman must stop him before he carves another kill into his skin.
• Det. Arnold Flass (voiced by Mark Boone Junior): A corrupt Gotham cop, Flass is on the take and in the sights of the Dark Knight.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Batman Begins at Eurocom
• EA - Batman Begins
• Batman Begins at MobyGames
• GameSpot Review 6.8/10