Batman: Arkham Origins Multiplayer Hands-On Preview – Heroes and Zeroes

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Dan Webb

I know what you're thinking, “Waiter, I appear to have multiplayer in my single-player soup... I didn't ask for this, can I speak to the manager, please?” Yeah, well, we all thought that when we heard Assassin's Creed was getting multiplayer too, right? And look how that turned out. Granted, for every Assassin's Creed we've had a Tomb Raider, so your hesitation is expected. The difference between those two is ultimately this though: one was a multiplayer mode that played to the strengths and unique qualities of the game's mechanics, the other felt tacked on. I'll let you work out which is which.

That's the key though, creating a mode that compliments the single-player's minute-to-minute gameplay – one that plays to the game's strengths – and brings it forward into a multiplayer environment. In getting multiplayer specialists, Splash Damage, on board to develop such a mode was the correct first step, not only because those guys and gals have been developing them for years, but because it's not going to take away from the single-player developed Warner Bros Montreal aspect of the game.

For Splash Damage the first task was working out what those strengths of the game were, as according to Alastair Cornish, Creative Director of Splash Damage, they “didn't want a tacked on ‘me too’ mode.” What started out as a broad look at the franchise's freeflow combat and invisible predator arenas left them focussing on the Invisible Predator mode asking questions like, “What if the AI were humans?” and “What if there was a third team in the mix?” The result? What they're code-naming the “Invisible Predator Online” mode.

The 8 player, asymmetrical mode consists of 3 teams, all with varying different objectives. The Heroes – playing as Batman and Robin – will spend their time filling their “Intimidation Meter,” done by lurking in the shadows and taking down foes; and the Elites, which consist of two teams of 3 – one team of three playing as Bane's gang; and the other playing as Joker's gang – who will have to capture control points, whilst also eradicating the other Elite team who have a collection of ticket spawns.

It's actually a really complex mode with a lot of nuances that need to be realised before it can be fully appreciated. For instance, as the Heroes, you'll have to spend your time in vents and in the rafters, and what not, trying for a whole variety of different takedowns. Variety is the key to filling the Intimidation Meter. Yes, you have a lot of your gadgets like smoke pellets and explosive gel, including Detective Vision, but against a gun you'll be chopped down in seconds, and dying means that when you respawn your Intimidation Meter will have taken a bit of a pounding, so sticking to the shadows and thinking on your feet is essential.

The Elites aren't just unsuspecting goons or prey for the Heroes either. Oh no. They'll have what Splash Damage are calling “Enhanced Vision,” allowing you to track opposition Elites and of course, the Heroes. It's on a battery though, so you won't be using it all the time. Then there's a whole host of weapons they can choose, grenade boxes to pick-up (which are more important than you think) and even gang leaders to take control of. Yes, you can take hold of the hulk-like Bane, who does Hulk-like smashes, has a rocket launcher, and can basically throw you around like a rag doll; or the Joker, with his hand cannons and his Joy Buzzer; but only if you get to the locker before anyone else on the map. When one of the Elites has control of one of the faction-leaders, you better run for your life!

The depth of the mode keeps on going though. For instance, Heroes can put jammers on the three control points, luring prey into their nest or just slowing down their progress, and they even know about grenade drops before the Elites, so if you're an Elite and want those 'nades, you're going to have to be careful. It's deep, but ultimately more satisfying once you get the hang of it.

We went four rounds on the Blackgate Prison map – as both Elites and Heroes – a map populated with plenty of underground vents and grates, lots of perches, corridors and plenty of wide open spaces. The Heroes control pretty much the same as they did in Arkham City, with less of an emphasis on hand-to-hand combat and combos, and more of an emphasis on silent takedowns and the element of surprise, while controlling the Elites feels similar to controlling Delta squad in Gears of War. 

While there was nothing inherently wrong with being an Elite, being a Hero was where all the fun was at and silently taking down a foe is as satisfying as it comes. No longer have you outsmarted an AI opponent, you've now outsmarted a real-life human being, meaning, sure, it's somewhat more difficult than it would be in a usual human vs. CPU Invisible Predator map, but infinitely more fulfilling. That said, that terrifying feeling of being stalked from the shadows as an Elite and shooting at flapping clothes and swarms of bats, does make it inherently more terrifying, adding to the experience.

There's no doubt about it, Arkham Origin's multiplayer is an interesting concept and has been fairly well executed thus far. Assassin's Creed proved it was possible that if you played to the strengths of the single-player you could create a memorable multiplayer arena in a game that's known for its story-telling and immersion, and if there's anyone who should be able to do it, it's multiplayer veterans, Splash Damage. Unfortunately we didn't spend as much time as we'd have liked to with the “Heroes,” but it's early doors yet. If the mode is to succeed, balance is going to be key, as it is in all asymmetrical multiplayer modes, and with us not seeing the Heroes win once, that's the major question mark surrounding the mode at the moment. Still, playing as the Heroes and taking down one of the Elites, that will likely never get old.

Batman: Arkham Origins is scheduled for an October 22nd and October 25th launch in North America and Europe respectively.

Comments
46
  • Iron out all the bugs and this could be promising! It sounds great!
  • games dont always need multiplayer
  • Seriously, it's like Devs run out of ideas for the Singleplayer then all shout in unison ... "FUCK IT, LET'S ADD A MULTIPLAYER! Cause that's what the fans want right!?"
  • Im going to pass on this game until it is cheaper. Why do they always feel the need to add multiplayer?
  • I would have much rathered co-op, I'll still get this though. Unlike Assassins Creed I'll still give this a go now it has multiplayer.
  • I seriously hope this turns out as good as it sounds.
  • Might be fun, but it seems like it'd be really crap with randoms on your side. Looks like the kinda game where you're either working as a team, or you're gonna have a bad time.
  • Look at the bitching my god the bitching, give it a chance, of all the sequels that tacked on MP, only Tomb Raider truly bombed.
  • Is this the only mode that the game will package? While it does sound fun, it also has the potential to get boring quickly. I think I'd like a co-op "Horde" mode, where one can play as Batman, and the other as any hero, and you could fight endless waves of increasingly difficult enemies. But that's just my opinion.
  • I do hope there's no MP Achievements. Aside from that it looks like it could be very interesting, fingers crossed it is a good bit of fun.
  • Actually sounds kinda fun ! Hopefully it lives up to that
  • I really hope this doesn't replace challenge maps. Otherwise it could be a fun addition.
  • Just don't have ridiculous luck based multiplayer achievements and you'll stay on my good side
  • Sigh........fine as long as there isn't a load of annoying Multiplayer achievements.
  • Reminds me of Merc vs Spys from SC: Double Agent with the twist. Look forward to giving it a shot.
  • @8. Ummm what about bioshock, dead space.......? This is gonna tank, just wait and see. Glad I'm not buying this turd.
  • @3 The publishers are the ones who wanted the mp. Which is why they hired another team to do it. The revs are hard at work with the sp and focusing on the sp.
  • Just make this multiplayer achievements-free please.
  • sounds good. always like when the kiddies whine about achievements for a game. its their lose though, not playing a game cause you cant get 100% chievos? that's just retarded.
  • I hope they don't just say, "FUCK IT! We're making 50% of the achievements multiplayer." As long as it's reasonably priced, day 1 for me!
  • *balanced, not priced
  • This is what I always wanted! So far this sounds like a cool idea. I hope they atleast put some achievement for multiplayer.
  • This sounds pretty intriguing to say the least. Could be another of those hidden gems like AC MP was for me. I realize not everyone wants MP in a game that started exclusively as SP, but there are ppl in both camps. I for one can't wait to try it and then decide whether I like it or not.
  • Like the sound of it and willing to give it a shot. I'm getting BAO on release day so shoot me a friend request so we can be ready for Oct 25.
  • MP? I'm out.
  • i can already see it, everyone will always want to play as batman and robin's team, it will lead to boring multiplayer, and be dead within a couple months
  • Was Gotham City Imposters any good?Just asking as a reference as to how good or bad the game may be (as its a multiplayer game set in the Batman universe).
  • *Meant to put how good Batman Origins will be.Sorry for the double post >__
  • so part third-person shooter part stealth mode. batman meets mass effect. I like it
  • Sounds like the Sneaking Mission game mode from MGO.
  • The Robin in this game looks so bad-ass!
  • My favorite franchise has a shit stain on it now...
  • This has the potential to be a cool feature, or make everybody see that batman should stay with rocksteady, who focuses on making amazing stories.
  • So long as the single player doesn't suffer because of the production resources pumped into this im fine with it, its a nice different take on MP which is pretty stagnant in other games with tacked on MP.
  • it doesn't matter how you slice it. multiplayer takes away time that should be spent, in this case, on single player which is arguably one of the best single player game franchises this side of the millennium. Assassins creed multiplayer was ... ok ... and that's coming from someone who cant stand online multiplayer at all ! but it still took focus off single player, more and more and more until we had AC3, the regurgitation of the horror that is online multiplayer, and that's after it had already been through the bowels of boring, uncreative gameplay and storyline. Games do not need multiplayer. I don't feel any kind of need to play with someone ive never met on the other side of the world. the only people I want to play games with are my close friends who live close enough to play locally with ... but even then, id much prefer to play solo batman, and show off our awesome takedown skills fighting the joker rather than play locally on batman multiplayer, because the strength of these arkham games has been and will hopefully continue to be the single player, and I think this multiplayer is a huge mistake ... and so, this is the unfortunate end for me and the batman games :( to my everlasting regret, I will not be buying this.
  • And no mention of the elephant in the room? Rhymes with Ticro Mansactions that will allow you to buy upgrades/consumables in a competetive game
  • This multiplayer is well thought out and awesome, more like an extension of the single player than a tacked on gimmick. And how the hell can this be taking time away from the single player when they point out several times in the article that they got someone else to develops the multiplayer so they could stay focused on the single player. I think some people just bitch about these articles without even reading them
  • I think loyalty to the series makes people attack anyone who is brave enough to say what they think. whatever you do, multiplayer will take some focus away from single player. when a game is so so so strong as a single player game there is no need for multiplayer. even if it takes 1% away from single player its something id not want to lose. it might not be a bad multiplayer, but id prefer to play a better story that may have been designed while they were talking to SD about adding their multiplayer into it.
  • funny that a lot of people earlier in the list just said "ppfftt bad choice its gonna suck", and then there's me who makes intelligent comments and opinions using evidence and I get the agro :/ loyalist gamers ... ppfftt.
  • and some guy said "games don't always need multiplayer" and 16 people agree with him ! so true !
  • #35 yur not getting the game because it has multiplayer? who says you need to play multiplayer? if you want to play what will definitely be a great game only in single player, then that's yur choice there's no law that says if you buy a game you have to do every possible game mode.
  • "Granted, for every Assassin's Creed we've had a Tomb Raider" no idea what you are getting at here,both multiplayer in those games were garbage
  • @42 Assassin's Creed Multiplayer is a lot of fun IF it is played the way it was intended. AKA with serious players trying to actually play the modes they are in. Granted though most matches are completely ruined by people not knowing/caring how to play and score and just treat it like another MP killfest. There is a prime example though, better than Assassin's Creed. It's called Splinter Cell. Which has one of the best MP modes ever created (imho of course). If Batman can come close to the fun and tension of that it will be awesome. Still hoping for co-op missions as well though. And more characters like Nightwing, though the origin setting probably keeps this from happening. Though Batman doesn't know Robin in Origins yet either and he is in MP so all is possible I suppose
  • Great, another game that shouldn't have MP, the first 2 were amazing and the story was rich and lengthy. Now it will end up short and not much extras. wtf
  • Joining the not buying crew,fuck MP,it will be dead in weeks like everything else that isnt bloody COD,assassins creeds online was absolutely horrific and impossible to get on,cant count the amount of times I sat in a lobby with someone else unable to get a game because it requires too many folk to be on and point blank refuse to touch raider because of their MP,how about just bringing out a single player title and if it does well then introduce a MP title.
  • I agree i feel that Co-op to me would have made me happier if they insist on multiplayer elements. If they can pull this off though it could be promising. I find that Assassins Creed for example though buggy at times is not a bad multi-player experience break and adds replay value to some degree.
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