Movie based games get a bad rap but there are some that are really awesome and this is one of them. I personally don't mind even a "bad" movie based title, its just fun to be able to play as one of your favorite superheroes and kick lots of bad guy arse. but this is actually one of the exceptions where the game is very well done, we're talking a 20 year old game here! Batman Returns is one of my favorite comic book films, in fact its in my top 3, and that's saying something since we are now living in a time where comic book movies are a dime a dozen, similar to how horror/slasher movies were in the 80's. however the originals are still the best IMO. however we are here to talk about the video game.
Its pretty much your standard side scroller kick punch type of game, but its got some gorgeous scenery and really captures the style elements of the film, from the Christmas setting, Shrecks store signs everywhere, and even the very eerie opening of the movie is replicated here with snow falling, the music is ripped straight from Danny elf mans fantastic score, only "digitized" for the game. the levels definitely get an A+ design wise because it truly captures the look and feel of the movie, its as if the movie were shrunk down into a video game. the cut scenes are also pretty fantastic, with cutouts of the movie characters put into the game to tell the story the "old fashioned" way where you had to read it. ah, I miss these kind of games, you had to use your head and read a bit. character models are straight out of the movie, from Batman's new suit to the clowns and the skeleton motorcycle guys, its very faithful to the movie and is easily one of the best looking movie based games out there. the gameplay is fun and easy to get hooked, punching and kicking at rapid speed. cat woman and penguin are naturally tough to beat but the game looks and plays so great, it keeps you wanting to come back for more.
overall this I a must if your a batman fan, a fan of the film, or just like well done superhero beatemup games. I'm a fan of all 3. I actually grew up with the sega genesis version, which was actually pretty good, but graphics wise the SNES version blows the sega version out of the water. This was a multi platform game, so there were many wholly different versions of the game, the Sega CD Batman Returns game was more of a driving game, the Gensis version was more of a normal adventure game, and the SNES was a great side scroller beat'em up game. all good in there own way, but SNES versions tops them all. still great after all these years which is amazing considering the giant leap in graphics detail.
Its pretty much your standard side scroller kick punch type of game, but its got some gorgeous scenery and really captures the style elements of the film, from the Christmas setting, Shrecks store signs everywhere, and even the very eerie opening of the movie is replicated here with snow falling, the music is ripped straight from Danny elf mans fantastic score, only "digitized" for the game. the levels definitely get an A+ design wise because it truly captures the look and feel of the movie, its as if the movie were shrunk down into a video game. the cut scenes are also pretty fantastic, with cutouts of the movie characters put into the game to tell the story the "old fashioned" way where you had to read it. ah, I miss these kind of games, you had to use your head and read a bit. character models are straight out of the movie, from Batman's new suit to the clowns and the skeleton motorcycle guys, its very faithful to the movie and is easily one of the best looking movie based games out there. the gameplay is fun and easy to get hooked, punching and kicking at rapid speed. cat woman and penguin are naturally tough to beat but the game looks and plays so great, it keeps you wanting to come back for more.
overall this I a must if your a batman fan, a fan of the film, or just like well done superhero beatemup games. I'm a fan of all 3. I actually grew up with the sega genesis version, which was actually pretty good, but graphics wise the SNES version blows the sega version out of the water. This was a multi platform game, so there were many wholly different versions of the game, the Sega CD Batman Returns game was more of a driving game, the Gensis version was more of a normal adventure game, and the SNES was a great side scroller beat'em up game. all good in there own way, but SNES versions tops them all. still great after all these years which is amazing considering the giant leap in graphics detail.