The GameOn Magazine - Free Special Editions Batman: Arkham Special Edition | Page 60

BATMAN: ARKHAM ORIGINS MULTIPLAYER
‘Tacked-on multiplayer’ is a term that instills
fear in the heart of many a gamer. Over the
years, we’ve seen many established franchises
develop multiplayer modes that are often
regarded as unnecessary additions to the singleplayer campaign - acclaimed series such as
Mass Effect, Tomb Raider, Assassin’s Creed and
BioShock have all attempted this transition,
and to varying degrees of success. Now it
would seem that it’s Batman’s turn to try.
Batman: Arkham Origins marks a new
era for the franchise in more ways than
one - we have a new developer taking the
mantle, the chronology of the series is being
shaken up, and now it has been announced
that the game will have multiplayer. And
not just any multiplayer - a new 3 vs. 3
vs. 2 mode that marks a bold attempt to
blend third-person shooting mechanics
with traditional Arkham gameplay.
3 vs. 3 vs. 2 - otherwise known as ‘Invisible
Predator Online’ - is the first competitive
60 • GameOn Magazine

mode announced, and will pit three
thugs each from Bane and Joker’s gangs
against one another in a territorial dispute,
while two players take up the mantle of
Caped Crusader and Boy Wonder. The
Dynamic Duo must keep to the shadows
and perform stealth takedowns in order to
intimidate both gangs into submission.
The villain teams have a limited number
of respawns, but these can be increased
by taking out either Batman or Robin.
Hacking terminals - the main objective of
the thug teams - also affects the number of
reinforcements available to each gang. The
stealth team, Batman and Robin, have their
own objective. Performing various predator
takedowns on unsuspecting enemies will fill
up an ‘intimidation bar’ that, when filled,
will cause the Joker and Bane to recall their
thugs and end the war. Be warned, however,
that using the same stealth moves repeatedly
will fill the bar slower, so variation is key.

Ba tman Arkham Special Edition