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A very disappointing adaptation of the blockbuster movie license, Batman
Returns is a hodge-podge of elements from adventure, action, and role-playing genres,
the whole of which is much less than sum of its parts. The plot loosely (make that
very loosely) follows that of the 1992 movie Batman Returns starring Michael Keaton.
If you want to understand the plot, seeing the film is a prerequisite to playing,
since the game has plot holes large enough to drive the Batmobile through, and never
explains why you, as Batman, are doing what you are doing. Although you can control
Batman as he battles his foes, that control is limited to selecting weapons, and
setting the 'ferocity' of Batman's attack. The battles are not very interactive,
since batman seems to win easily no matter which weapon he chooses, although they are
fun to watch. To add insult to injury, certain objects and people will appear in
certain locations only during particular times of the virtual "day." Often the time
of their appearance is a mystery without any clues, meaning that you will need to
retrace your steps to various locations over and over again until someone or something
shows up. This adds a level of complexity, but in a way that is unfair to the player.
Puzzles are limited to scanning the various objects into the evidence monitor to
further the plot, given of course that you are there at the right time when they show
up. In the final analysis, Batman Returns is only an average adventure that could
have been so much more. It's only recommended for dedicated bat-fans, and perhaps
those who are new to the adventure genre. |
