I feel like Rocksteady was damned if they do, and damned if they don't in this scenario. My issues with Origins pretty much amounted to the bugs and the handling of the bugs, but, other than that, it was a great game, in my opinion, and yet, one of the criticisms I saw the most was "The Arkham formula is growing stale." I disagreed, but, at the end of the day, if AK was more of that, people no doubt would've taken issue with the fact that it wasn't innovative enough. Ultimately, I think that what it all comes down to is that Rocksteady aimed a little too high in that department, but I will not call the Batmobile boring. I feel like the experience, itself, wasn't balanced enough, and the car definitely was in the spotlight a little too much, but I'll tell you right now that it was miles better than it could've been.
I've seen games that introduced vehicles that were clunky, awkward, and, all around, terrible to use, and, with Rocksteady having never tackled something like this before, we could've very easily had a game like that. For all its faults, that Batmobile handles smooth as butter, once you get used to the controls. I abhor racing games. I never could get into them. I understand why people like them, but it just wasn't my thing. Yet, I find myself zooming around in the Batmobile exponentially more than I do gliding through the city, this time around. That says a lot. I guess I'm just a glass half full kind of guy. I'm not disagreeing with people. I hated the various "stealth" boss battles that you had to do in Battle Mode, but I just take solace in the fact that, at least, we didn't have to experience those behind the wheel of a godawful Batmobile.
On a different note, I checked out my Limited Edition today, and I was really impressed by the statue. It was far nicer than I was anticipating, based on the various reviews and unboxings I had seen. I love the Steelbook, and the Artbook is really nice, as well. I'm conflicted about the game, though. I don't want to break up the set, but I also feel like it's redundant to have two copies. I'll probably sell it and then just get another copy once it's dirt cheap.
I love it the most too.
