The Dark Knight makes his debut on the 3DS.
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While console gamers are experiencing the Dark Knight’s beginnings in Batman: Arkham Origins, 3DS owners will have a chance to further the story of Gotham’s protector in Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate. Set three months after the events of Arkham Origins, Blackgate removes players from the treacherous streets of Gotham, and locks them away in Blackgate Prison to yet again take on the Joker and several other prominent Batman villains.
Unlike other titles in the Arkham series where you’re able to freely control the Dark Knight in third person, Batman is locked to a 2.5D perspective in Blackgate. Likewise, all of the action takes places along a 2D plane. Moreover, Batman can’t jump; instead he leaps over ledges as you run, similar to the Zelda series.
Despite these limitations, the developer, Armature Studio, has packed quite a few of the Arkham series’ features into Blackgate. The series’ trademark fighting mechanics have been retained. Although Batman can only move left to right, fighting still requires that you pay close attention to the enemies’ actions, so that you can counter them and land a knock-out blow. Additionally, many of Batman’s gadgets return in Blackgate, including his Batarang, explosive gel, and grapnel gun. These items are the key to your progression in the game, and will be obtained at different areas in Blackgate Prison.
Also returning are the stealth elements present in the previous two Arkham titles. You’ll still be able to stealthily take out guards that are in your way, and this is made even easier with the use of Detective Vision, a returning mechanic that allows you to view your surroundings and the status of how well you’re hidden from the enemies. You’ll also be able to scan your surroundings for more information with the Analyzer reticule on the touchscreen.
Though Blackgate is set three months after the events of Arkham Origins, Armature Studio has stated that you should be able to play the games in any order without spoiling one or the other. Several characters from the Batman universe will make an appearance: including Captain James Gordon, Catwoman, the Joker, Black Mask, and many more. The game’s story, which follows the Joker, Penguin, and the Black Mask as they take Blackgate as their own, is partially told through voiced cutscenes resembling hand-drawn comics.
Blackgate prison is separated into three zones: the Cell Block, the Industrial Area, and the Administration Offices—each controlled by one of three major villains. These zones can be traversed in a non-linear fashion, and likewise, you can tackle the game’s bosses in different orders. In fact, the ending you receive depends on the order you choose to face the bosses.
Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate is set to release on the Nintendo 3DS on October 25.
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