Review: Batman Arkham Shadow – A Masterpiece of the VR Gaming World

There are games that you play, enjoy, and quickly forget – and then there are games like Batman Arkham Shadow for the Meta Quest 3 that leave a lasting impression.

After the final, I sat there for minutes, needing to let the experiences sink in.

In the last two of the 10-12 gameplay hours, a breathtaking final act begins with spectacular twists that left me utterly speechless, forming the grand finale of a game that is nothing less than a reference title for the Meta Quest 3.

With this review, I want to take you on an extensive journey through my personal impressions of this game. It is a masterpiece of the VR world, but there are also a few rough edges.

The Story: Dark, Intense, and Captivating

In Batman Arkham Shadow, you take on the role of the Dark Knight, who must save Gotham from a threat posed by the mysterious “Red King.” The villain has managed to gather an army and bring Gotham to the brink of destruction. Batman has only a few days to prevent this catastrophe – the so-called “Day of Wrath” is drawing ever closer.

The story starts off relatively “harmless,” but steadily increases in intensity. From the initial smaller missions to the crucial battles against the minions of the Rat King, not only does the pressure on Gotham grow, but also on you as players. Particularly noteworthy is how the story unfolds: it is dark, surprising, and offers several twists right up to the end.

The last two hours of the game are hard to surpass in terms of drama and should not be missed by any VR enthusiast.

Gameplay and Controls

Ego Perspective and Character Switch

Unlike many other Batman games, you experience everything from a first-person perspective here. What makes it even more interesting is that you play not only as Batman but also his disguise identity “Melone.” The switch between the two characters adds variety and allows for different approaches to the missions.

Skills and Gadgets

Batman wouldn’t be Batman without his gadgets, and the game does not disappoint in this regard. From the famous cape gliding to the “Detective Vision” and the Batclaw – the variety of tools and their applications are impressive. New gadgets like a scanner or a bomb-launching pistol are gradually unlocked, motivating you to keep playing and explore new areas.

Detective Vision allows us to see through walls, and mission-relevant elements are highlighted.

The battles are dynamic and require both skill and strategy. You can attack opponents directly, take them out from the air, or temporarily incapacitate them with your cloak. I particularly enjoyed that the fights never became monotonous.

Puzzles and Exploration

The game consists not only of battles but also challenges you with smaller puzzles. You need to find paths, open doors, or uncover secrets. This creates a good balance between action and brain-teasing.

Level Design

The game is not open world, but rather has a strongly linear structure. However, it doesn’t feel constricted, as the areas are large enough to explore. I particularly enjoyed the main locations, which gradually open up more and invite you to return.

Fights

The combat system of Batman Arkham Shadow is one of the highlights of the game, offering a successful blend of tactical approach, action-packed presentation, and immersive VR interaction. The battles are diverse and challenge the player in terms of timing and reaction, as well as through the clever use of the environment and gadgets.

The combat system is heavily focused on the gesture control of VR technology. Attacks are executed with the controllers through physical movements. Strikes in various directions, jumps over opponents, or the targeted use of Batman’s cape to briefly confuse enemies make the fights dynamic and require a high level of precision. Particularly successful is the visual support provided by yellow markers that indicate which movements the player should perform, such as strikes to specific body regions or evasive maneuvers.

Overall, the fights, boss battles, and arena combat in Batman Arkham Shadow offer a perfect balance between challenging mechanics and VR immersion. They significantly contribute to making the player feel like the real Batman – powerful, clever, and always ready to conquer the darkness.

Boss Fights

The boss fights are true highlights and often deeply embedded in the narrative. One example is the battle against the mafia boss Falcone. This takes place in an arena where not only the waves of enemies but also the environment become a challenge. Falcone stands on a balcony, continuously sending henchmen into the arena, while the player must also be careful not to get hit by Falcone’s oversized machine gun. These fights are demanding not only due to the number of enemies but also because of the tactical approach – the right timing and optimal use of gadgets, in this case, the Batarang, are crucial here.

Graphics and Sound

The graphics are a double-edged sword. Some areas, especially in the cutscenes, look fantastic and enhance the dark atmosphere. Others, however, are rather average. Nevertheless, the overall aesthetic fits perfectly with Gotham and contributes to the immersion.

The sound, on the other hand, is beyond any doubt. From the dark background music to the effects of the gadgets and the brilliant voice acting – truly outstanding work has been done here.

As soon as we “sleep,” our story is told in dream sequences.

Weaknesses: Bugs and Frustration

As good as the game is overall, there are a few weaknesses that I don’t want to overlook. During my time with Batman Arkham Shadow, I repeatedly encountered bugs. These included:

The credits list the voice actors for various languages such as German, French, Italian, etc., but the voice output remains in the original English regardless of the selected language.

My Conclusion: A VR Masterpiece with Minor Flaws

Batman Arkham Shadow is one of the best VR games currently available on the Meta Quest 3 for me. It offers an engaging story, impressive presentation, and diverse gameplay. Although it may not be graphically perfect in every aspect and occasional bugs can detract from the gaming experience, the positive aspects far outweigh the negatives.

The game is a must-play for Batman fans and a prime example of how immersive VR can be. Those who dive in will be rewarded with an experience that lingers in memory – especially thanks to the spectacular finale.