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Batman Begins
Batman Begins Xbox art
North American cover art
Developer(s)Eurocom (GC, PS2 & Xbox)
Vicarious Visions (GBA)
Publisher(s)EA Games
Composer(s)Ian Livingstone
Platform(s)Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2, Xbox
Release
Genre(s)Stealth, action-adventure
Mode(s)Single-player

Batman Begins is a stealth action-adventure game.[2] It was released June 14, 2005, a day before the release of Batman Begins. It was developed by Eurocom and published by Electronic Arts in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics. It was released on Game Boy Advance, GameCube, PlayStation 2 and Xbox.[2] The film's original cast provided a voice-over reprisal in the game, with the exception of Gary Oldman, who portrays James Gordon, replaced by Gavin Hammon.

A PlayStation Portable version of the game was planned, but subsequently canceled.[3] A sequel, Batman: The Dark Knight, was developed for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 but later canceled.[4]

Gameplay[]

The game has a unique system involving intimidation. Batman Begins features the utilization of the environment to frighten opponents, which may cause them to drop their weapons. 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, such as sneaking. There are many ways to incapacitate enemies with stealth, using various combat and martial arts techniques. The game also includes combat racing sections where the player can drive the Batmobile.

Story[]

The game follows 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, appears as an Arkham psychologist. The only scene in the game that is not taken from the film is a second car chase with the Tumbler in which Batman attempts and fails to stop the theft of the microwave emitter that Ra's Al Ghul will use in his attack on Gotham.

Reception[]

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Reviews of the game found it generally average. GameRankings gave it a score of 62.14% for the Game Boy Advance version,[8] 66.74% for the GameCube version,[6] 65.63% for the PlayStation 2 version,[7] and 67.20% for the Xbox version.[5] Likewise, Metacritic gave it a score of 61 out of 100 for the GBA version,[12] 66 out of 100 for the GameCube version,[9] 64 out of 100 for the PS2 version,[11] and 65 out of 100 for the Xbox version.[10] It received G4's award for 'Best Graphics on PS2 and Xbox'.

Cancelled sequel[]

On July 17, 2008, actor Gary Oldman unofficially announced during an interview with G4's Kristin Adams that a video game sequel of the Batman Begins video game based on the second film of the franchise was in development.[34] In his interview on GameTrailers, Oldman said he knew an awful lot of effort had gone into getting Batman's gliding abilities to feel suitably smooth and fluid for Batman: The Dark Knight game. Oldman, who reprised his role as Lt. Jim Gordon, did not name a developer in the interview but anonymous sources reported that The Dark Knight was a secret project of Pandemic Studios and EA.[35][36] However, the project was finally cancelled and Pandemic Brisbane was shut down.[37]

References[]

  1. "Batman Starts for Xbox". Retrieved 2008-08-27.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  2. 2.0 2.1 "Batman Begins Videogame Soars onto Shelves" (Press release). Electronic Arts and Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. June 15, 2005. Archived from the original on April 26, 2007. https://web.archive.org/web/20070426003948/http://www.ea.com/official/batman/batmanbegins/us/editorial.jsp?src=ship_061505&ncc=1. Retrieved 2005-06-14. 
  3. "Batman Begins (PlayStation Portable)". Retrieved January 2, 2017.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  4. Skipper, Ben (February 1, 2016). "Cancelled Batman game: Unseen 64 tells story of Pandemic's The Dark Knight movie tie-in". International Business Times. Retrieved May 12, 2018.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Batman Begins for Xbox". GameRankings. Retrieved 2013-11-22.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
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  9. 9.0 9.1 "Batman Begins for GameCube Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-11-22.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  10. 10.0 10.1 "Batman Begins for Xbox Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-11-22.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  11. 11.0 11.1 "Batman Begins for PlayStation 2 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-11-22.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  12. 12.0 12.1 "Batman Begins for Game Boy Advance Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved 2013-11-22.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  13. "Batman Begins". Electronic Gaming Monthly (195). September 2005. 
  14. Bramwell, Tom (2005-06-17). "Batman Begins Review (Xbox)". Eurogamer. Retrieved 2013-11-23.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  15. Mason, Lisa (August 2005). "Batman Begins". Game Informer (148): 97. Archived from the original on 2005-11-04. https://web.archive.org/web/20051104195506/http://www.gameinformer.com/Games/Review/200508/R05.0822.0925.44351.htm. Retrieved 2013-11-23. 
  16. Doctor Zombie (2005-12-02). "Review: Batman Begins". GamePro. Archived from the original on 2006-10-16. https://web.archive.org/web/20061016045522/http://gamepro.com/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/50250.shtml. Retrieved 2013-11-23. 
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  18. Colayco, Bob (2005-06-17). "Batman Begins Review". GameSpot. Retrieved 2013-11-22.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  19. Colayco, Bob (2005-06-17). "Batman Begins Review (PS2)". GameSpot. Retrieved 2013-11-22.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  20. Provo, Frank (2005-07-06). "Batman Begins Review (GBA)". GameSpot. Retrieved 2013-11-22.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  21. Tuttle, Will (2005-06-20). "GameSpy: Batman Begins (Xbox)". GameSpy. Retrieved 2013-11-23.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  22. Tuttle, Will (2005-06-20). "GameSpy: Batman Begins". GameSpy. Retrieved 2013-11-23.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  23. "Batman Begins Review". GameTrailers. June 23, 2005. Retrieved 2013-11-23.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  24. Romano, Natalie (2005-06-28). "Batman Begins - GC - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-11-03. Retrieved 2013-11-23.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  25. Knutson, Michael (2005-06-26). "Batman Begins - XB - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-07-06. Retrieved 2013-11-23.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  26. Bedigian, Louis (2005-06-26). "Batman Begins - PS2 - Review". GameZone. Archived from the original on 2008-12-23. Retrieved 2013-11-23.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  27. Casamassina, Matt (2005-06-16). "Batman Begins (GC)". IGN. Retrieved 2013-11-22.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
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  29. Sulic, Ivan; Lewis, Ed (2005-06-15). "Batman Begins". IGN. Retrieved 2013-11-22.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  30. "Batman Begins (GC)". Nintendo Power 195: 80. August 2005. 
  31. "Batman Begins (GBA)". Nintendo Power 195: 85. August 2005. 
  32. 1UP Staff (2005-08-02). "Batman Begins (PS2)". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2013-11-23.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  33. "Batman Begins". Official Xbox Magazine: 82. September 2005. 
  34. "'Dark Knight' Game Leaks". Retrieved January 2, 2017.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  35. Casamassina, Matt (May 17, 2007). "Rumor: Pandemic to Develop New Batman Game". Retrieved January 2, 2017.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  36. "'Dark Knight' reigns not in video game - Newsweek Technology - Newsweek.com". August 21, 2008. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2017.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>
  37. "Screwing Up Batman". Retrieved January 2, 2017.<templatestyles src="Module:Citation/CS1/styles.css"></templatestyles>

External links[]

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