Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game has arrived. It is exclusively available on the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S. Batman: Arkham Shadow is set in the same universe as the Arkham series, bridging the timeline between Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Asylum.
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Batman: Arkham Shadow is placed between the events of Arkham Origins and Arkham Asylum. The plot starts on the 4th of July, where Gotham City is threatened by the Rat King, a mysterious villain with a cult of followers.
Batman is tasked with revealing the mystery and saving city officials like Harvey Dent and Jim Gordon, who have been kidnapped.
The gameās story expands the lore of the Arkhamverse while providing fans with the dark, gritty atmosphere they expect.
It is a full 10+ hour adventure. The narrative feels like a genuine Arkham game, a story arc with twists and deep character development.
The Arkham games are known for their fluid, rhythmic combat and one of the biggest concerns going into Batman: Arkham Shadow was how this combat would translate to a VR setting.
Developer Camouflaj exceeded expectations by redesigning combat for first-person gameplay while retaining the essence of Arkhamās melee system.
In VR, players physically punch enemies, block attacks and dodge blows, making combat highly interactive and engaging.
Combat in Batman: Arkham Shadow feels immersive. Yellow warning signs signal when an enemy is about to attack, making players to respond with quick physical actions, whether it’s throwing a punch or blocking an attack.
More advanced enemies wield knives or wear armor, adding complexity to fights as players must duck, dodge or stun enemies with Batman’s cape.
Batman: Arkham Shadow features Batmanās signature Detective Vision, allowing players to investigate crime scenes for clues.
In VR, this is made even more immersive as players examine objects and interact with the environment in a hands-on way, enhancing the investigative experience.
Stealth is another core element of the Arkham series and Batman: Arkham Shadow captures the thrill of Predator takedowns in VR.
Players can swing from perches, stalk guards and take them out one by one. This element translates smoothly to VR, allowing players to feel like the Dark Knight as they silently navigate rooms and execute stealth takedowns.
One of the features of the Arkham series is its atmospheric world-building. Batman: Arkham Shadow delivers the same moody.
From the ominous halls of Blackgate Prison to the shadowy streets of Gotham, the game nails the atmosphere making it feel like a true continuation of the Arkham universe.
Every corner of the game world is crafted to capture the essence of Gotham. From hidden Easter eggs to detailed environments.
Batman: Arkham Shadow brings a well-structured story that keeps players hooked from start to finish.
True to the Arkham legacy, the game features several unexpected plot twists, offering an engaging storyline that expands on Batmanās universe. Without revealing too much, the gameās narrative is one that will satisfy Arkham fans.
The game delves into the backgrounds of some characters from the Batman universe. The story is filled with shocking revelations and memorable moments that make it stand out as more than just a VR spin-off.
Batman: Arkham Shadow offers a range of side content. From combat challenges to optional puzzles and hidden collectibles, thereās plenty to keep players busy even after completing the main campaign.
Like the previous Arkham games, exploration and going off the beaten path are rewarded.
As players progress, they unlock new combat abilities for Batman. This upgrade system ensures that combat evolves throughout the game.
While Batman: Arkham Shadow excels in many areas, itās not without its issues. The game is plagued with bugs that sometimes prevent progression.
Common problems include story events not triggering, Batman getting stuck in walls and doors refusing to open. Although these bugs can be easily fixed by restarting a checkpoint, they can still be frustrating.
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Another drawback is the repetitive gameplay in some areas. Much of the game is set in Blackgate Prison and players are required to revisit the same locations multiple times, which can feel tedious.
Additionally, some Predator takedown sections are repeated, which may cause the experience to drag in parts.
Batman: Arkham Shadow was developed by Camouflaj, the studio behind Iron Man VR. After being acquired by Meta, Camouflaj has focused on VR-exclusive titles and their expertise in creating virtual reality experiences is evident in Batman: Arkham Shadow.
Camouflaj brings its experience from Iron Man VR to the table, ensuring that Batman: Arkham Shadow makes the most of the Meta Quest 3 hardware.
Their focus on VR gameplay design has resulted in a game that feels natural to play in virtual reality, with mechanics tailored to the platform.
Batman: Arkham Shadow is exclusively available on the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S headsets. The game takes full advantage of the hardwareās capabilities.
Camouflaj has not announced any plans to release the game on other platforms such as PlayStation VR2.
A perk is that anyone who purchases a Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S before April 25, 2025, will receive Batman: Arkham Shadow for free. This makes it an attractive deal for anyone looking to dive into VR for the first time or upgrade their current setup.
Arkham Shadow is available on both the Meta Quest 3 and the more affordable Meta Quest 3S, there are some differences in performance.
The Quest 3S, priced at $299, slightly lower resolution and pixel count than the $499 Quest 3, but it retains the core VR experience.
Arkham Origins will be excited to know that Roger Craig Smith reprises his role as the voice of Batman. Smithās portrayal of the Dark Knight has been well-received and his return brings continuity and depth to the game.
The voice cast in Batman: Arkham Shadow features several names including Elijah Wood as Scarecrow, Tara Strong as Harley Quinn, Troy Baker as Harvey Dent and Khary Payton as The Ratcatcher.
VR games are often criticized for being too short, but Batman: Arkham Shadow breaks that mold with a campaign lasting 8 to 10 hours.
Players who choose to complete side missions, challenges and collectibles can easily spend up to 15 hours exploring Gotham.
The gameās side content including collectibles and hidden challenges, offers a reason to revisit Gotham even after completing the main storyline.
The experience of playing as Batman in VR also encourages players to replay the game for the thrill of being Gothamās protector.
Arkham Shadow have been positive. Critics have praised the gameās immersion, combat mechanics and faithful recreation of the Arkham universe.
Henry Stockdale from UploadVR gave the game a 4.5-star rating, saying it feels faithful to the flatscreen Arkham games while innovating in its own way through VR-specific design.
Nick Gillett of MetroUK awarded the game a 9/10, calling it one of the best VR experiences ever made and a Batman game that rivals the previous Arkham entries.
As of now, Batman: Arkham Shadow has not yet received a Metacritic score due to its recent release.
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