Recently Batman turn 75 years young, and in conjunction with this special occasion, all Batman PS3 game titles were going at 75% off retail price on the Playstation Store.
Not one to lose out on a bargain, I bought the whole lot (4 titles), Arkham Asylum, Arkham Origins, Batman Lego series and Injustice: Gods Amongst Us Ultimate Edition.
For the last 2 weekends, I have spent more than 8 hours on Arkham Asylum, and 12 hours on Arkham Origins (not even halfway through the game!).
It's addictive, compelling and draining. Throughout the game I felt a whirlwind of emotions; beads of perspiration trickles down my head and neck, my palms get sweaty due to the excitement, and my back is wet due to the synthetic leather of your sofa. I curse, swear and get pissed due to the difficulty of the game, but I enjoyed every moment of it.
The Arkham series are very long games; players have to spend many hours (or days) in order to complete them. However, for Batman, it's one hell of a long night. Yes, each game is based on the events of a single night.
Which causes me to wonder, is this why Batman, even with his lack of powers, is recognised as a superhero? He is also part of the Justice League, a group of superheroes like Superman, Wonder Woman and the Flash, who are blessed with superhuman powers, like flight and speed. This means Old Batsy is recognised by them as one who is their equal, even though he is a mere mortal (not taking account of his money!).
I know there are many (non-fans) who are skeptical of his abilities, and have long argued that he's just one person with many neat gadgets. I am not trying to change your opinion, I used to think the same way. It is true that Batman is as human as you and I, however, it's that same human-ness and vulnerability that sets him apart from other heroes.
It is evident from the game:
Batman has to labour through the long, tiring night, fight thousands of crooks, solve life-threatening puzzles/riddles, save hostages and outsmart villains to foil their plots (even I got tired at a point during the gameplay). All this while going through sewers, tunnels, air ducts, buildings, prison cells, caves, etc. Remember there's no change of Batsuit, so the whole suit is soiled with mud, slush, blood, sweat and the occasional venom, for the WHOLE NIGHT! I can imagine the smell... even Alfred had to ask him to be careful not to dirty the suit too much (cause he's doing the washing).
Most of Gotham is against him, corrupted policemen and politicians alike. (actually there seems to be few good people in Gotham)
Even amongst the innocents, there are many doubters, some calling him a vigilante, no different from a violent criminal.
With so many obstacles, so much danger, so little support and nothing to gain for, why would any man do what he do?
At the same time, as relentless as ever, unflinching in the face of possible severe harm to oneself, injuries, extreme fatigue, he carries on.
Also he doesn't believe in killing, and thus, he has to restrain himself, even though his opponents has no such code.
There is no VIP reception, no fanfare, no awards, no recognition (he has to keep it a secret), his only reward is seeing those bad guys get prosecuted and justice is served. On top of that he has to train and work extra hard as he is not blessed with super powers.
In addition, his life is one of solitude and loneliness, where he hide his pain, suffering and frustrations, with no confidante (except Alfred). He can't have any love ones, or share his secret, afraid that it would put them in danger.
In this sense, his selfless ways is more than sufficient proof that he is a superhero.
Batman may just be fiction and you may argue that there won't be someone like him in this world.
Yes I agree. However, I realised there are many who share the same relentlessness in fighting for what they believe in for the general good. Think carefully and you may find such a person in your circle.
They are everywhere, just look around you for that person who sacrifices many things in their life to try to bring to the masses, justice, equality and fairness. They too met with a lot of scorn in the course of their life journey to bring good to the world and to people. There are no rewards, but there are tons of naysayers.
In this way, they behave the same way as Batman, or any other superhero, because they dare to step up and make that move that many of us hesitate to, despite their vulnerability, despite the odds stacked against them and despite that the people they are fighting for may not be grateful at all.
You don't have to look for them in another planet. They could be right next to you.
I salute you Batman, as well as the rest of our daily superheroes!
Not one to lose out on a bargain, I bought the whole lot (4 titles), Arkham Asylum, Arkham Origins, Batman Lego series and Injustice: Gods Amongst Us Ultimate Edition.
For the last 2 weekends, I have spent more than 8 hours on Arkham Asylum, and 12 hours on Arkham Origins (not even halfway through the game!).
It's addictive, compelling and draining. Throughout the game I felt a whirlwind of emotions; beads of perspiration trickles down my head and neck, my palms get sweaty due to the excitement, and my back is wet due to the synthetic leather of your sofa. I curse, swear and get pissed due to the difficulty of the game, but I enjoyed every moment of it.
The Arkham series are very long games; players have to spend many hours (or days) in order to complete them. However, for Batman, it's one hell of a long night. Yes, each game is based on the events of a single night.
Which causes me to wonder, is this why Batman, even with his lack of powers, is recognised as a superhero? He is also part of the Justice League, a group of superheroes like Superman, Wonder Woman and the Flash, who are blessed with superhuman powers, like flight and speed. This means Old Batsy is recognised by them as one who is their equal, even though he is a mere mortal (not taking account of his money!).
I know there are many (non-fans) who are skeptical of his abilities, and have long argued that he's just one person with many neat gadgets. I am not trying to change your opinion, I used to think the same way. It is true that Batman is as human as you and I, however, it's that same human-ness and vulnerability that sets him apart from other heroes.
It is evident from the game:
Batman has to labour through the long, tiring night, fight thousands of crooks, solve life-threatening puzzles/riddles, save hostages and outsmart villains to foil their plots (even I got tired at a point during the gameplay). All this while going through sewers, tunnels, air ducts, buildings, prison cells, caves, etc. Remember there's no change of Batsuit, so the whole suit is soiled with mud, slush, blood, sweat and the occasional venom, for the WHOLE NIGHT! I can imagine the smell... even Alfred had to ask him to be careful not to dirty the suit too much (cause he's doing the washing).
Most of Gotham is against him, corrupted policemen and politicians alike. (actually there seems to be few good people in Gotham)
Even amongst the innocents, there are many doubters, some calling him a vigilante, no different from a violent criminal.
With so many obstacles, so much danger, so little support and nothing to gain for, why would any man do what he do?
At the same time, as relentless as ever, unflinching in the face of possible severe harm to oneself, injuries, extreme fatigue, he carries on.
Also he doesn't believe in killing, and thus, he has to restrain himself, even though his opponents has no such code.
There is no VIP reception, no fanfare, no awards, no recognition (he has to keep it a secret), his only reward is seeing those bad guys get prosecuted and justice is served. On top of that he has to train and work extra hard as he is not blessed with super powers.
In addition, his life is one of solitude and loneliness, where he hide his pain, suffering and frustrations, with no confidante (except Alfred). He can't have any love ones, or share his secret, afraid that it would put them in danger.
In this sense, his selfless ways is more than sufficient proof that he is a superhero.
Batman may just be fiction and you may argue that there won't be someone like him in this world.
Yes I agree. However, I realised there are many who share the same relentlessness in fighting for what they believe in for the general good. Think carefully and you may find such a person in your circle.
They are everywhere, just look around you for that person who sacrifices many things in their life to try to bring to the masses, justice, equality and fairness. They too met with a lot of scorn in the course of their life journey to bring good to the world and to people. There are no rewards, but there are tons of naysayers.
In this way, they behave the same way as Batman, or any other superhero, because they dare to step up and make that move that many of us hesitate to, despite their vulnerability, despite the odds stacked against them and despite that the people they are fighting for may not be grateful at all.
You don't have to look for them in another planet. They could be right next to you.
I salute you Batman, as well as the rest of our daily superheroes!
