While Batman is the sole playable character in the main story, understanding his upgrade path and the various character bios you unlock is key to appreciating the game's depth. This section focuses on optimizing Batman's abilities and exploring the rich lore of Arkham's inhabitants. Compare character builds and strategies to maximize your effectiveness against the rogues' gallery that has taken over Arkham Asylum.
Batman's Upgrade Path
Throughout your journey, Batman will earn experience points which can be used to unlock new Gadgets, Combat upgrades, and Predator upgrades. Prioritizing certain upgrades can sificantly alter your approach to encounters. For instance, investing in the Critical Strike upgrade early on can dramatically increase your damage output in combat, allowing you to dispatch groups of thugs more efficiently. Conversely, focusing on Predator upgrades like the Silent Takedown can make stealth sections in areas like the Intensive Treatment facility much more manageable, enabling you to isolate and eliminate threats without alerting others.
Unlocking Character Bios and Lore
As you explore Arkham Island and its various sectors, you will encounter numerous Riddler Trophies and Riddles. Collecting these not only unlocks concept art and character models but also provides invaluable insight into the backstories and motivations of Arkham's most notorious villains. Understanding the history of characters like the Joker, Scarecrow, and Poison Ivy can enrich your gameplay experience and provide context for their actions. The game features a comprehensive database accessible from the main menu, detailing the lore of each character encountered, offering a deeper dive into the Arkham universe.
Strategic Combat and Predator Approaches
The game encourages a dual approach to gameplay: direct combat and stealthy predator tactics. For combat, mastering the Freeflow Combat system is paramount. Upgrades that enhance attack speed, add new combo moves, or increase the effectiveness of your Batarangs in combat can turn the tide of overwhelming odds. In predator scenarios, however, the focus shifts to environmental awareness and strategic use of gadgets. Upgrades that allow for faster traversal, quieter movement, or more effective use of the Cryptographic Sequencer to disable security systems are crucial for survival. The Nocturnal Hunter Challenge mode, for example, often requires a perfect blend of both combat prowess and stealthy execution to achieve high scores.