Tips & Secrets

Even after completing the main story, Arkham Asylum holds many layers of depth. This section delves into advanced strategies, hidden easter eggs, and ways to maximize your gameplay experience, ensuring you get the most out of your time in the asylum. Master combat, uncover every secret, and truly become the World's Greatest Detective.

Advanced Combat & Predator Strategies

While the game introduces you to the basics, true mastery of Batman's combat and predator skills is key to tackling harder difficulties and achieving perfect Freeflow Combat scores. Here's how to elevate your game:

Freeflow Combat Mastery

• Vary Your Attacks: Don't just punch. Incorporate Batarangs (double-tap L1/LB), Cape Stuns (Circle/B), and Ground Pounds (R2+Triangle/RT+Y) into your combos. Each unique attack adds to your combo multiplier and helps maintain flow.
• Counter is King: The blue lightning bolt above an enemy's head is your cue to counter (Triangle/Y). Master the timing; a perfectly timed counter can interrupt even powerful attacks and keep your combo going.
• Evade & Redirect: When surrounded, a simple evade (X/A, then direction) can reposition you. For larger groups, a redirect (X/A, then move towards another enemy) allows you to leap over them, breaking their attack patterns and giving you breathing room.
• Environmental Takedowns: Look for opportunities to use the environment. Kicking enemies into railings, through glass, or off ledges (when prompted) grants instant takedowns and boosts your score. These are especially useful against larger groups or armored foes.
• Critical Strikes: As your combo meter grows, a blue glow around Batman indicates you can perform Critical Strikes. These deal more damage and are faster, helping you maintain momentum against tougher enemies.
• Gadget Integration: Don't forget your gadgets!
  • Batarang: Interrupts enemies, especially those with guns. Can be used to stun multiple foes with the Triple Batarang upgrade.
  • Batclaw: Pulls enemies towards you, setting them up for a punch or a Ground Pound. Also useful for disarming.
  • Explosive Gel: Can be used offensively to knock down groups of enemies or destroy weak walls during combat.
  • Sonic Batarang: Distracts armed enemies in predator encounters, but can also draw attention in combat if used carelessly.

Predator Room Domination

Predator encounters require patience, observation, and strategic gadget use. Rushing in will often lead to a quick demise.

• Silent Takedowns: The bread and butter of predator. Approach enemies from behind or above for a silent, instant takedown (Triangle/Y).
• Grate Takedowns: Hide in floor grates. When an enemy walks over, initiate a takedown (Triangle/Y). This is incredibly safe and effective.
• Vent Takedowns: Similar to grates, vents offer stealthy movement and takedown opportunities.
• Ledge Takedowns: Hang from ledges and pull enemies over (Triangle/Y). Great for isolating targets.
• Inverted Takedowns: Hang from gargoyles and snatch enemies below (Triangle/Y). Leave them strung up as a warning.
• Disruptor: Upgrade the Disruptor to disable enemy firearms or even explosive crates, making them safe to use against enemies.
• Sonic Shockwave Batarang: This upgrade is a game-changer. Use it to temporarily disable armed enemies, allowing for easy takedowns.
• Environmental Hazards: Look for chandeliers, weak walls, or explosive tanks. A well-placed Batarang or Explosive Gel can create chaos or take out multiple enemies.
• Detective Mode Usage: Constantly toggle Detective Mode (L1/LB) to track enemy positions, see their weapons, and identify structural weaknesses. Don't rely on it exclusively, as it can obscure details, but use it for intel.
• Baiting Enemies: Use the Sonic Batarang to lure enemies into isolated areas or towards explosive barrels. Throwing a Batarang at a distant wall can also draw attention.
• Fear Takedowns (Challenge Mode): In certain challenge maps, chaining multiple takedowns quickly can trigger a "Fear Takedown" state, allowing you to instantly dispatch several enemies.

Hidden Easter Eggs & Secrets

Arkham Asylum is brimming with nods to the wider DC Universe. Finding these not only adds to the lore but sometimes unlocks achievements or character bios.

Scarecrow's Lair (The Most Famous Secret)

This is arguably the game's most significant secret, hinting at future Arkham games.

1. Location: Head to the Warden's Office in the Penitentiary.
2. Access: Look for a destructible wall on the left side of the office, near the desk. It's subtle and won't glow in Detective Mode until you're very close.
3. Method: Use Explosive Gel to blow open the wall.
4. Reward: Inside, you'll find Scarecrow's hideout, complete with his fear toxin canisters, a blueprint for his fear gas, and a whiteboard detailing his plans for Gotham. This area is crucial for the "Party Pooper" achievement/trophy.

Killer Croc's Lair

Another subtle hint at a major villain's presence.

1. Location: After defeating Killer Croc in the sewers, return to the area where you first encountered him (the large circular chamber with the central platform).
2. Access: Look for a small, dark tunnel entrance near the water level, opposite the main path you took. It's easy to miss.
3. Method: Grapple down and explore the tunnel.
4. Reward: You'll find a small, makeshift lair with Croc's personal belongings, including a teddy bear and some crude drawings. This area contributes to the "World's Greatest Detective" achievement/trophy if you scan the drawings.

The Spirit of Arkham Messages

These cryptic messages are scattered throughout the asylum and reveal the tragic history of Amadeus Arkham.

• Discovery: Use Detective Mode to scan specific objects or areas. They often appear as glowing green symbols.
• Locations (Examples):
  • Medical Facility: In the Sanatorium, scan the portrait of Amadeus Arkham.
  • Penitentiary: In the Main Cell Block, scan the plaque near the entrance to the Security Control Room.
  • Arkham Mansion: In the Library, scan the large portrait above the fireplace.
  • Botanical Gardens: In the Glasshouse, scan the statue of the founder.
• Reward: Unlocks character bios for Amadeus Arkham and provides deeper insight into the asylum's dark past. Collecting all of them unlocks the "Spirit of Amadeus" achievement/trophy.

Joker's Teeth & Riddler's Trophies

While not "hidden" in the same sense as the above, finding all of these collectibles is a major part of maximizing your gameplay and unlocking all secrets.

• Joker's Teeth: Smash all 240 chattering teeth. They are everywhere and often require a keen eye or a Batarang.
• Riddler's Trophies: Collect all 240 Riddler challenges (trophies, riddles, destructible objects, Spirit of Arkham messages).
• Strategy:
  • Riddler Maps: Interrogate Riddler's informants (green glow in Detective Mode) to reveal the locations of collectibles on your map. Prioritize these!
  • Detective Mode: Use it constantly. Trophies often glow green, and destructible objects (like cameras or Joker teeth) will be highlighted.
  • Return Visits: Many collectibles require gadgets you don't have early in the game (e.g., Line Launcher, Ultra Batclaw, Cryptographic Sequencer upgrades). Make a mental note or mark them on a physical map and return later.
  • Environmental Interaction: Some riddles involve scanning specific objects or scenes (e.g., "A case of mistaken identity?" requires scanning a specific poster).
• Reward: Unlocks character bios, challenge maps, and achievements/trophies. Completing all Riddler challenges is essential for the "World's Greatest Detective" achievement/trophy and the true ending.

Maximizing Your Gameplay Experience

Beyond the main story, Arkham Asylum offers plenty to keep you engaged.

Challenge Maps

These are crucial for honing your skills and extending playtime.

• Combat Challenges: Focus on achieving high scores through long combos, varied attacks, and efficient takedowns. Aim for 3 medals on each.
• Predator Challenges: Emphasize stealth, efficiency, and using the environment. Plan your route and takedown order. Aim for 3 medals on each.
• Rumble in the Jungle (Combat): A notoriously difficult combat challenge with multiple waves and enemy types. Practice your evasions and gadget use.
• Shock and Awe (Combat): Features electrified floors and a strict time limit. Requires precise movement and quick takedowns.
• Invisible Predator (Predator): Forces you to remain undetected. Use silent takedowns and environmental advantages.
• Intensive Treatment (Predator): A classic predator map with multiple levels and vent systems.
• Rewards: Unlocks new characters (Joker on PS3, PC), achievements/trophies, and bragging rights.

New Game Plus (PC/PS3/Xbox 360)

While not a traditional "New Game Plus" with all upgrades, restarting the game on a harder difficulty allows you to re-experience the story with increased challenge.

• Hard Difficulty: Enemies hit harder, are more numerous, and counter prompts appear less frequently or disappear entirely. This forces you to rely more on sound cues and anticipation.
• No Counter Prompts (Hard Mode): This is the biggest change. You must learn enemy attack animations to counter effectively. Practice makes perfect!

Character Bios & Story Lore

Take the time to read through all the character bios, patient interviews, and Arkham stories you unlock. They provide a rich backstory to the Arkham universe and its inhabitants.

• Patient Interviews: Listen to the audio logs of various villains (Joker, Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, Bane) found throughout the asylum. These offer fascinating insights into their psychology.
• Arkham Stories: The Spirit of Arkham messages reveal the tragic history of Amadeus Arkham and the asylum itself.

Common Pitfalls & Missables

Be aware of these potential issues to ensure a smooth 100% completion run.

• Riddler Informants: These are crucial for revealing collectible locations. If you knock out an informant before interrogating them, they are gone for good on that playthrough. Always prioritize interrogating them (Circle/B when they're stunned on the ground). They glow green in Detective Mode.
• Specific Riddles: Some riddles require specific actions or scanning objects that might be destroyed or become inaccessible later in the story. For example, the "Party Pooper" achievement for finding Scarecrow's lair is best done when you first visit the Warden's Office.
• Combat Challenges: Don't neglect these. They are a significant portion of the game's content and can be frustrating if left until the very end without practice.
• Story-Locked Areas: Certain areas become inaccessible after specific story points (e.g., parts of the Medical Facility after the Joker's party). Ensure you've collected everything possible before progressing too far. While most areas are eventually re-accessible, some specific items or riddles might be tied to a narrative state.
• The "Invisible" Riddler Trophy in the Arkham Mansion: There's a trophy in the Arkham Mansion, in the Main Hall, that requires you to use the Line Launcher to reach a small alcove above the main entrance. It's easily missed if you don't look up.