Topic: Batman: Arkham City -> Update: Batman AA + AC PC ditches G4WL, now uses Steam

[MysterD]

Console Reviews
GiantBomb -> 5 stars.
GamePro - 5 stars.
Telegraph UK -> 5 stars.
Joystiq -> 4 1/2 stars [of 5].
IGN -> 9.5/10 - Written review; Video Review.
GameSpot -> 9.0/10 - Written review; Video review.
CVG -> 9.5/10.
Eurogamer -> 9/10.
1Up -> A grade.
Gametrailers -> 9.3/10.
IncGamers -> 9/10.
9/10 from Metro UK.
Destructoid -> 8.5/10.
DigitalStar -> 5 stars.
VideoGamer ->  Perfect 10.
GameInformer -> 10.
StrategyInformer -> 10.
G4TV -> 5 stars.

[Cobra951]

Metacritic average is at 95% with 26 reviews in.  Looks like another necessary expenditure.  (Dammit.)

[PyroMenace]

Yea I still haven't played much of Arkham Asylum. It was really damn good from what I played, but it ended up falling to the backburner from some other distraction. It will be a purchase for sure, but sometime down the line.

[MysterD]

Lots of issues w/ the DLC stuff for Batman: AC on the consoles.

The mystery of Batman: Arkham City's DLC code issues popping up on the official forums may be more baffling than one of the Riddler's puzzles. Users have reported all kinds of problems, ranging from their copy not including all the promised DLC codes, winding up with multiple codes for the same piece of DLC or, perhaps most bizarre of all, DLC redemption cards that are simply blank. The issues don't seem related to a single piece of DLC, with users reporting problems with Joker challenge map, Robin and Catwoman codes.

Given that the DLC was promised to those who pre-ordered or purchased new copies of the regular or collector's edition, what should have been a bonus for early adopters could become a serious issue. The Catwoman DLC significantly alters the story of Arkham City, meaning some may not be getting the entire game they paid for.

We've contacted Warner Bros. for a response. For what it's worth, all copies owned by Joystiq staff seem to have their codes intact.

[sirean_syan]

I guess the whole preorder/DLC situation was confusing enough to screw with the printers as well. Serves 'em right I guess (not the customers). This was one of the worst pre-order bonus and first day DLC situations that I can remember.

[MysterD]

Warner Bros. have a 5-step solution for solving the DLC issues.

Really?
Are gamers really going to want to go through all that w/ customer support? 

[Xessive]

20% off from the Steam pre-order is tempting but I got a better deal from GreenManGaming! I got both Assassin's Creed Revelations and Arkham City for ~$66! All hail GMG coupons!

Now, I have to cut down on big game purchases at least until Christmas. Gotta save for gifts!

[MysterD]

Batman: Arkham City PC - System requirements revealed.

The complete list of system requirements are as follows:

Minimum System Requirements
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP, Vista or 7
    CPU: Dual-Core CPU 2.4 Ghz
    RAM: 2GB
    Graphics Card: NVIDIA 8800 or ATI 3800 with 512MB of VRAM
    Sound: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista or 7 compatible sound card (100% DirectX 9.0c-compatible)
    DVD-ROM: Quad-speed (4x) DVD-ROM drive
    Hard Drive: 17.5GB free disk space
    Input Devices: 100% Windows XP/Vista or 7 compatible mouse and keyboard


Recommended System Requirements
    Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7
    CPU: Dual-Core CPU 2.5 GHz
    RAM: 4GB
    Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 460 or ATI Radeon HD 6850 with 768MB+ of VRAM (DirectX 11 compatible)
    Sound: Microsoft Windows XP/Vista or 7 compatible sound card (100% DirectX 9.0c-compatible)
    DVD-ROM: Quad-speed (4x) DVD-ROM drive
    Hard Drive: 17.5 GB free disk space
    Input Devices: 100% Windows XP/Vista or 7 compatible mouse and keyboard or Xbox 360 Controller for Windows

[MysterD]

Batman: Arkham City - Nightwing DLC trailer.

[MysterD]

Batman: Arkham City PC currently has DX11 performance issues.
They are advising us to disable DX11 and switch to DX9, until they address the issue via an upcoming patch.

PC DirectX 11 Issues Please Read

    We have received reports of performance issues from players of Batman: Arkham City on PC. After researching the matter, we found that running the game with DX 11 is causing the performance issues. We’re working on a title update to address this matter and expect to make it available in the near future.

    In the meantime, a workaround for this issue is to run the game with DX 9 instead of DX 11. Instructions on how to turn off DX 11 are listed below.

    We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience with your gameplay experience and thank you all for your patience as we work to resolve this issue.

    Instructions for changing DX 11 to DX 9
    The Launcher can be accessed on Games for Windows LIVE and Steam to change DX 11 to DX 9 in the Settings menu.
    Change both DirectX 11 Features and DirectX 11 Tessellation to OFF.

    Games for Windows LIVE
    Start > All Programs > Games > Right click on Batman: Arkham City and select Launcher > Settings
    1. Open the Start Menu
    2. Select All Programs and then the Games folder
    3. Right click on Batman: Arkham City and select Launcher
    4. Choose Settings then click on the arrow next to DX options to change
   
    Steam:
    Launch Steam Client > Library > Right click on Batman: Arkham City > Configure PC Options
    1. Open Steam
    2. Select Library
    3. Right click on Batman: Arkham City and select Configure PC Options
    4. Choose Settings then click on the arrow next to DX options to change

[Xessive]

Play this. Drop everything else and play this now!!

[K-man]

Arkham City was on the Wal-Mart black friday sale.  I went around 4 AM.  The troughs were obviously sold out but they still had one of the Arkham City/Arkham Asylum combo packs in the lockup.  Boom, Got both games for 28 bucks.

[Xessive]

Arkham City was on the Wal-Mart black friday sale.  I went around 4 AM.  The troughs were obviously sold out but they still had one of the Arkham City/Arkham Asylum combo packs in the lockup.  Boom, Got both games for 28 bucks.

Wow, that's an awesome deal!

[MysterD]

Play this. Drop everything else and play this now!!

Been playing.
And so far, it's pretty good.

[Xessive]

I only have one complaint so far.. For some reason all the characters keep mispronouncing "Ra's Al-Ghul," they keep making "Ra's" sound like "raysh." Only complaint so far.

I only bring it up because I accept the fact that perfection cannot exist therefore the game MUST have a flaw.

[K-man]

I dove into Arkham Asylum last night.  The demo does not do the game justice.  VERY fun.

[MysterD]

I only have one complaint so far.. For some reason all the characters keep mispronouncing "Ra's Al-Ghul," they keep making "Ra's" sound like "raysh." Only complaint so far.

I only bring it up because I accept the fact that perfection cannot exist therefore the game MUST have a flaw.

DX11 mode is supposed to be hella imperfect, too.
Hence why I'm running it on DX9 mode...and it runs PERFECT.

[Cobra951]

I dove into Arkham Asylum last night.  The demo does not do the game justice.  VERY fun.

Yes, it's terrific.  I only wished it went on for longer.  Not that it's short; I just didn't want it to end.

[K-man]

Yes, it's terrific.  I only wished it went on for longer.  Not that it's short; I just didn't want it to end.

I feel like I've been playing a long time, currently at the scarecrow fight, and I'm not even at 10%.

[MysterD]

Yes, it's terrific.  I only wished it went on for longer.  Not that it's short; I just didn't want it to end.

If you thought Arkham Asylum was terrific, just wait until you play Arkham City...

[PyroMenace]

At the very end of this. This game is really awesome. Just love the way they did all the villains, especially Scarecrow, those sequences are among the best moments in the game.

All that's left for me to do is finish off joker. I completed all the riddler stuff, probably one of the few games that had collectables I enjoyed finding. I had planned to play Uncharted 3 after this but I think I may jump right into Arkham City since I'm definitely wanting more.

[MysterD]

Don't know if you guys knew, but Batman: AC PC version got patched yesterday to fix DirectX11 issues for those who have 64-bit OS's.
32-bit OS users are gonna have to wait for a fix for the DX11 features.

[Pugnate]

Cool. 64bit got first attention.

Why isn't this on Steam yet?

[Xessive]

Cool. 64bit got first attention.

Why isn't this on Steam yet?

It is but not for our region. Sucks balls. I ended up getting mine from Green Man Gaming.

[MysterD]

IGN -> Batman: Arkham City - GOTY Edition announced.
It'll contain Every Piece of DLC so far + the upcoming Harley Quinn's Revenge DLC.

Real Box Art:


IGN's Box Art Version:

[Pugnate]

haha

[Cobra951]

I was going to say something caustic about that first image.  Then I scrolled down.  Haha!  Props to IGN for that.

[Xessive]

That is a shameful piece of box art. An ironic contrast with the artwork it houses.

[MysterD]

Batman: Arkham City - Harley Quinn's Revenge DLC -- REVIEWS

Scored out of 10
GameTrailers -> 6.8.
GameSpot -> 6.5

[Xessive]

'Batman: Arkham City' follow-up to be a Silver Age prequel

The yet-to-be-announced follow-up to 2011's Batman: Arkham City will be a prequel based on the Silver Age of DC's comic books from the 1950s during which the titular hero teamed up with the likes of Superman and founded the Justice League of America, Variety reports.

And here's the full article from Variety.

[Cobra951]

Christopher Nolan . . . won't direct "Justice League." While promoting "The Dark Knight Rises," he told reporters he's "finished" with Batman and "this is the end of our take on this character…I've got no plans to do anything more and certainly no involvement with any Justice League project."

That says it all, maybe?  I'm skeptical about this game sequel.  I'm afraid it's too much about monetizing a larger scheme, and not enough about following up the Arkham excellence.

I just finished up Arkham City yesterday including all side missions, riddles and trophies.  Just a few dumb challenges left that I can't be bothered to chase down, like using a particular gadget in a combo.

[MysterD]

Batman: Arkham Asylum + Arkham City for the PC ditches G4WL and implements Steamworks.

Steam-version owners, you may just run Steam to get the update and you'll be updated to the new Steamworks-version.
Non-Steam Version owners, enter your game-keys into Steam - and you'll have the NEW Steam-version that only uses Steamworks.

Saved-games DO NOT carry over onto Steam-version.
ALL games must be restarted from scratch for this new Steam-version, unfortunately.

ENJOY!

[Quemaqua]

I really didn't get into AC. AA grabbed me more for some reason, even though I expected to like the sequel more. I played it for a few hours and got sort of bored, never went back to it. I'd still like to finish it, but I dunno.

[Xessive]

Awesome. They also automatically upgraded me to the GOTY editions!

[MysterD]

Awesome. They also automatically upgraded me to the GOTY editions!

My G4WL keys for Batman: AA from G4WL directly and Batman: AC from Origin haven't worked yet.
I bet they're still getting all the keys up on the database there.

[iPPi]

Nice that G4WL ditched.  Too bad about the save games though.  I cannot be bothered to play the game over again.

[Xessive]

I'm taking it as an opportunity to excite myself for Arkham Origins

[MysterD]

Nice that G4WL ditched.  Too bad about the save games though.  I cannot be bothered to play the game over again.

Saved Games - Converting from G4WL-versions to Steam-versions
Check Steam Forums.
People have been screwing around w/ old saves (from G4WL version) & did get 'em going on the Steam-version.

You gotta go through some hop, skips, and jumps - but it can be done.
Do this at your own risk.

Look here:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/200260/discussions/0/810938810549705289/


EDIT:
Game Key Activation Issues
If you been having problems trying to register your game-key onto Steam (like me) - Valve's aware of the issue and is looking into it:
http://steamcommunity.com/app/200260/discussions/0/810938810659179083/