Batman: Arkham Asylum on the PC

5uspect

So the PC version is finally landing today.
I've opted to get the PC version for the PhysX.

Has anyone picked it up yet? Any idea of prices?
Its €50 on steam. Hopefully its a little cheaper in the shops.

Vyse

€50:eek: I got in on the 360 for €40 brand new and boxed. Would have thought that you could pick it up on steam for half that price.

Here it is for under €30

http://www.sendit.com/games/platforms/pc/batman-arkham-asylum/10035801.html

5uspect

Steam is a bit like that. Their prices can be all over the place for 3rd party games.

I'd like to pick it up today. I'll drive down to Gamestop later on.
I've a graphics card to roast first tho...

Spazdarn

Vyse wrote: »

€50:eek: I got in on the 360 for €40 brand new and boxed. Would have thought that you could pick it up on steam for half that price.

Here it is for under €30

http://www.sendit.com/games/platforms/pc/batman-arkham-asylum/10035801.html

That's ridiculously cheap...

Though my pc is about to explode so I'd say I'll still end up getting the 360 version in the end.

I picked up my CE (love the Batarang) today for €50, haven't played it yet, just waiting to get the patch from Live to enable the PhysX.

5uspect

Just rang gamestop, €34.99. That'll do.

Tusky

Does it play well with the mouse and keyboard ?

5uspect

With the demo I opted for the xbox controller. Mouse and keyboard is okay but it's much better with a controller.

L31mr0d

5uspect wrote: »

I've opted to get the PC version for the PhysX.

Ah fubar. Can't believe all the stuff that gets removed from the game when you disable Physx. nVidia must of paid them off. They could of put all that stuff in the game without Physx :mad:

Was looking forward to playing this on the PC, now I don't know if I should just get an nVidia card first. Can you get dedicated Physx cards anymore?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luSAnouAFJs

Creature

Picked it up in HMV in Henry st. for €39.99 earlier.

5uspect

Yeah, a lot of that stuff could have probably been done with havoc et al. through software.

I don't know if you can still get PhysX cards. Usually people SLi something like a GTX260 with a 9600GT for decicated physics.

It runs fine on my single GTX275 tho.

BopNiblets

Arrived today from Sendit, installing now, 9gigs z0mg!

I read somewhere that the game comes with some 260/270 nVidia cards, possibly only a USA thing though, check amazon.

Oafley Jones

Is there some agreement that games utilizing Physx cards have to include banners when ever possible? It was the same with Mirror's Edge - here look, some banners to justify your card.

BopNiblets

Where do I change the resolution in the game? I looks like it's at 640x480 at the moment and there's no video settings like there was in the demo, wtf?
Wait nevermind, they're in the launcher and not the game.

Also, Games For Windows Live is a slow updating pile of crap!
Steam, it isn't.

Azza

Picked it up in Gamestop for €34.99 today. I see Xtra Vision had it for €40.00. Both of them only had 1 copy of it each in the Athlone branches. Game got 2 copies of it and both where sold by lunchtime today.

Not yet tried it, will report later on. Lack of Pyscho Power is abit meh though.

5uspect

BopNiblets wrote: »

Where do I change the resolution in the game? I looks like it's at 640x480 at the moment and there's no video settings like there was in the demo, wtf?
Wait nevermind, they're in the launcher and not the game.

Also, Games For Windows Live is a slow updating pile of crap!
Steam, it isn't.

Slow? ****ing 11kb/s ffs.

ahem, anyway. right click on the Shortcut and pick launcher for the settings.

Creature

Tusky wrote: »

Does it play well with the mouse and keyboard ?

Tbh Tusky, I've been playing for the last few hours or so and it plays fine. I would imagine though, that if you're used to playing on a console you'll prefer a controller.

Azza wrote: »

Lack of Pyscho Power is abit meh though.

You need help man.

L31mr0d

Just as a note. Decided to see if I could run this on my HTPC which has an nVidia card, but much lower specs:

Vista 32bit
E6600 C2D
4GB PC2-6400
8800GT overclocked

It runs ok with the latest nVidia driver and physx set to high @ 720p

I have every other setting enabled and set to maximum except for AA which is set to 4x.

Getting an average of ~30fps with a maximum of ~60fps. In game there is some slight stuttering on occasion. For the most part it runs fine though.

5uspect

Have you tried the benchmark?

I'm getting around 50 average with PhysX on normal with peak and min of 70 and 30.
FPS doubles with physX off.

humanji

I had trouble running this with PhysX until I shut off Vsync and AA. It runs and looks fantastic. I spent about 5 minutes just running though some steam just to see it flow around me.

5uspect

AA quite heavy alright. I ran it with it disabled and PhysX off at 1680 x 1050 everything else maxed:



PhysX on high drop it right down!

pixelburp

Anyone else finding their speeds for downloading on Steam painfully slow? I'm getting 100-150Kb/s on a 10Mb line (that's functioning find and dandy at the moment).

Jumpy

pixelburp wrote: »

Anyone else finding their speeds for downloading on Steam painfully slow? I'm getting 100-150Kb/s on a 10Mb line (that's functioning find and dandy at the moment).

Change your location to UK.

Ireland has **** servers.

pixelburp

It already was! But hmm, maybe will try switching to Ireland, or another EU location...

humanji

I think Belgium is the Irish downloaders country of choice. I think it was there that people were recommending before.

L31mr0d

5uspect wrote: »

PhysX on high drop it right down!

Still, the physx really does add a lot to it imo. Even just moving through the spiderweb. I couldn't imagine the levels without the smoke or steam.

Is anyone else, whenever they see smoke, using Batmans stun move (where he spins around throwing out his cape) to cause the smoke dissipate. It really is some of the best smoke effects I've ever seen in a game.

Jumpy

I bought this yesterday and I have to say its one of the top games I have ever played.
The intro when croc appeared gave me chills.

Jumpy

L31mr0d wrote: »

Still, the physx really does add a lot to it imo. Even just moving through the spiderweb. I couldn't imagine the levels without the smoke or steam.

Is anyone else, whenever they see smoke, using Batmans stun move (where he spins around throwing out his cape) to cause the smoke dissipate. It really is some of the best smoke effects I've ever seen in a game.

My favorite example is in the benchmarking utility where the security guard is kicking the smoke as he walks and it billows ahead of his foot.

5uspect

My one gripe is that like the 360 version the camera is too close to Bats as you walk. Apparently the PS3 version pulls the camera back a bit similar to when you run. This makes it difficult to see some of the physics effects. Hopefully someone will figure a way to mod it.

You're right tho, I'd rather have a few jaggies than no physics. Much more eye candy for a similar FPS hit.
I've finally gone with no AA and High PhysX.

humanji

I also noticed that if you stand under something that's sparking, the sparks bounce off you. It's not an amzing thing to happen, but it's still pretty cool.

L31mr0d

Jumpy wrote: »

My favorite example is in the benchmarking utility where the security guard is kicking the smoke as he walks and it billows ahead of his foot.

The extra effects really come into their own when you are fighting a bunch of enemies, smoke is being blown around, papers are being kicked up into the air and tiles on the ground are breaking when you slam someone down.

Only place I noticed my FPS dropped way down was when I was going above ground at the end of the first area (after following the whiskey trail), all the smoke, webbing and foliage killed my FPS.

Jumpy

I have a thing for Harley Quinn now though. Damn they did her well.

pixelburp

Hmmm, despite my gfx card (9600GT) supposedly supporting this PhysX nonsense, I can see no signs of it in action ingame; I certainly don't see any of the over-hanging drapes in the bigger arenas. In fact Im getting some bugs with leaves sitting "frozen" midair when outside the Asylum.

humanji

pixelburp wrote: »

Hmmm, despite my gfx card (9600GT) supposedly supporting this PhysX nonsense, I can see no signs of it in action ingame; I certainly don't see any of the over-hanging drapes in the bigger arenas. In fact Im getting some bugs with leaves sitting "frozen" midair when outside the Asylum.

Have you turned it on? You have to go into the launcher and select settings.

5uspect

Here's a video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiKcoF4Dcnc&feature=player_embedded

You will also need to enable PhysX from the nvidia control panel.

pixelburp

humanji wrote: »

Have you turned it on? You have to go into the launcher and select settings.

No, I thought I'd turn the game on & think really positive thoughts about PhysX :rolleyes: Course I turned the setting on :P

Though hadn't checked the setting in the Nvidia Control panel was on, must have a gawp, cheers 5uspect Judging by that video, I very definitely don't have it turned on. Though it must be said that the game isn't exactly lessened by PhysX's absence

Jumpy

I wish they would give more bad guys in a group. Either that or make them tougher, the fights are always over too quick. I never get to enjoy all the combos.

5uspect

Jumpy wrote: »

I wish they would give more bad guys in a group. Either that or make them tougher, the fights are always over too quick. I never get to enjoy all the combos.

Have a go at the challenges so.
The first one throws increasing numbers of mofos at you.

Jumpy

5uspect wrote: »

Have a go at the challenges so.
The first one throws increasing numbers of mofos at you.

Ooooooh.

Didnt even see that option.

5uspect

You can also download a few more from Live, same DLC as on the xboc and PS3.
I think they need to be unlocked first tho.

pixelburp

Ok, well PhysX is definitely on at the Nvidia control panel, and playing Batman has just caused my first core dump in years. Jaysus where was this game made, Russia?

L31mr0d

pixelburp wrote: »

Ok, well PhysX is definitely on at the Nvidia control panel, and playing Batman has just caused my first core dump in years. Jaysus where was this game made, Russia?

I'd say the core dump is from your gfx card overheating. A 9600GT is not going to be able to handle physx and running the game. Where you even getting usable frames with physx enabled?

Azza

I went through the entire game without a single issue, or any sort of bug. Something that is quite rare for a PC game.

AlmightyCushion

Azza wrote: »

I went through the entire game without a single issue, or any sort of bug. Something that is quite rare for a PC game.

Have you played many pc games lately. Most of the ones I've played worked fine.

pixelburp

L31mr0d wrote: »

I'd say the core dump is from your gfx card overheating. A 9600GT is not going to be able to handle physx and running the game. Where you even getting usable frames with physx enabled?

Nope it's running fine - like I said I have been spotting no signs of the PhysX, the only thing that comes close would be the odd bit of rubble when i land on the pavement after a glide, but there's no sign of the leaves, rustling paper or other stuff like that. I'll switch "off" the setting in game, or at least reduce the setting anyway & see how that goes. Like I said it's not like the addition of PhysX actually adds anything useful anyway.

5uspect

They reccommend at least a GTX260 for normal PhysX. For high PhysX they recommend at least a GTX260 plus something like a 9600/9800GT just for the PhysX calculation (or a single GTX295).

They list this in the Launcher window iirc.

Jumpy

I have two 8800GTs and a PhysX card. I can run everything at max apart from AA and its averaging about 50fps.

Perfect for me.

Have a 8800GTX running PhysX at normal @ 1768 x 992, AA 16xQ and everything else set max and no problems. I can't run it @ 1920 x 1080 with PhysX on but with if off I can run it at max.

Best game of the year for me so far, can't wait for the next one

Jumpy

Is there a ground hit?

I know there is a ground takedown but that takes time, is there a particular hit that will hurt a person lying down.
It always stops my combos when everyone is on the ground, and poncy batman can only seem to hit the when they are standing.

BopNiblets

Shift+MB2 is a combo takedown I think?

I finished the Normal difficulty and got up to Bane on Hard, bloody hell it's tough, countering never works when you want it to.
Shock and Awe Extreme Challenge also, yaaaaaargh MOVE you slow millionaire vigilante!

5uspect

I just noticed last night that not only do batarangs deflect those PhysX banners about when you hit them but they actually tear and cut them. I was even able to cut them entirely in half which looked bloody amazing. The torn half hung down and shifted the centre of gravity of the banner and then fell down when the final bit was cut.

This could make for a very interesting game mechanic for the future. Imagine a game with a character climbing a wide rope ladder/cloth banner etc and you have to watch how it rips as you're attacked by other players cutting the ropes/cloth.

EDIT: It's similar to what you see here at 1:15:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dviWZcphcIQ