Batman Begins (Xbox)

Let me first begin by saying that I am a huge Batman fan. I've been worshiping the caped crusader ever since I was a kid running around in gray and blue underoos, with the bat logo on my chest, and a batarang that I made out of cardboard and scotch tape.

I've seen the black mask worn by actors named West, Keaton, Kilmer, Clooney and now Bale.

I loved the new Batman Begins movie directed by Christopher Nolan. It is definitely the best Batman film ever made, and has opened up a new window for telling the Dark Knight's story, as well as selling a lot of Bat-merchandise.

EA Games has just released a virtual adventure tie-in for the movie, appropriately titled BATMAN BEGINS, for the X-Box, PS2, and Gamecube. I just finished playing the X-Box version, and though it's not the greatest game, it is the best Batman video game to date. Unlike his costumed partners in fighting crime, Batman has always been jinxed in the video game world. Every other Batman game before it has fallen flat, making even the Dark Knight himself feel defeated. But this has to be the most ambitious entry, glowing with bells and whistles, but very little thrills.

The game attempts to follow the storyline of the movie, and includes the voice talents of stars Christian Bale, Liam Neeson, Michael Caine, Katie Holmes and Morgan Freeman. Clips from the movie are also inserted into the game to move the story along. ( I recommend that you see the movie before playing to game if you don't want anything spoiled for you).

Graphically, the game looks beautiful, displaying detailed backdrops of Gotham City's gritty streets, dark alleys, gang infested piers, the creepy Arkham Asylum, and of course stately Wayne Manor.

In many ways the game plays like a watered down version of Splinter Cell, with Batman taking the role of Same Fisher. Stealth style, Batman hides in the shadows watching his prey, and then at the right moment he steps behind them and POW!!! The game also uses a fear feature, allowing Batman to use various scare tactics, which causes thugs to become so afraid, that he can just swoop down and take them out easily.