video game review

‘Batman: arkham originals’

Grade: B

Details: for the Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Wii U, PC, $59.99

“Batman: Arkham Origins” is the third installment in Warner Bros.’ Arkham series, a grim take on the character similar to Christopher Nolan’s “Dark Knight” films. WB has made some substantial behind-the-scenes changes, bringing in new writers, new voiceover talent and, most significantly, a new development team. But fans of the earlier games, particularly 2011’s “Arkham City,” will be happy to discover that this new chapter retains much of their smooth gameplay.

Without even digging into the main story line, it’s just flat-out fun to spread Batman’s wings and soar around Gotham, breaking out the Batclaw whenever you want to climb to the top of the skyscraper.

Meanwhile, there are scores of “extortion files” hidden all over the city, many of which are blocked by head-scratching puzzles. It took me about 12 hours to conquer the game’s core campaign, but I could easily spend dozens more searching for everything “Origins” has to offer.

The action is lively and varied enough to overcome a nagging feeling of familiarity; three games in, it’s probably impossible to recapture the freshness of 2009’s “Arkham Asylum.” And as much as everyone loves the Joker, how many times do we need to go over the roots of his folie a deux with Batman?

“Origins” is at its most interesting, curiously, when the Joker is offstage. One extended battle against the airborne bomb-thrower Firefly is particularly thrilling. WB’s Montreal studio has done an admirable job taking the reins from “Asylum” creator Rocksteady, proving there’s still life in the franchise. Next time, I’d like to see them take more risks.

—Lou Kesten, Associated Press