Batman Vengeance
Encyclopedia
Batman Vengeance is a video game that was released on all major platforms of the sixth generation of console games
. It was developed and published by Ubisoft
in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics
. It is based on DC Comics' character Batman
and the television series The New Batman Adventures
.
as Batman finds himself the target of a conspiracy. After saving the life of Mary Flynn (Harley Quinn
in disguise) Batman is lured to Gotham Bridge where he fights the Joker. After the duel, the Joker slips and hangs over Gotham River. Batman offers to lift him up, but the Joker surprises him with his electric joybuzzer and falls to his apparent death. Batman decides to play along until he knows what's going on. He's alerted to Gotham Industrial, which is under attack by Mr. Freeze
who's looking for a man named Isaac Evers. Freeze was sent a publicity video of promethium supposedly by Evers (It was actually the Joker who sent it in order to stall Batman). After a chase in the Batplane, Evers explains what Freeze was holding and says he has a grant from the Wayne Foundation. Batman later fights Freeze, then goes to save Batgirl
, who's under attack by a trench coat
creature. After a Batmobile
chase, the car crashes and they discover an apple
(though the thug got away). At the Batcave
, Batgirl discovers a plant inside the apple (similar to what she saw Mayor get from the trench coat). Batman discovers subtle links between Poison Ivy and Harley. After he defeats Poison Ivy, he heads to Funnibones Warehouse to collect from Harley for letting her walk the night the Joker seemingly died. She informs him of some activity at the Gasworks. He heads there and floods some pipes in order to stop some flammable toys from getting away. He then finds Isaac Evers, who only wanted to burn down Gotham Industrial but fails to convince Batman. He takes Evers outside, but is forced to go undercover after being framed for throwing a Batarang at Commissioner Gordon. Hunted by the police, Batman must discover who is behind these mysteries before Gotham City is destroyed. He heads to Funnibones only to discover the knife that the Joker was holding the night he fell. In the end Batman discovers that the Joker is not dead after all. His plan was to first underline the city with his flammable toys, then use his Joker Toxin mixed with Promethium and flood the city with the gas. Then, the toys were to emerge and ignite the city. The Joker tries to fend him off by using a heavy thug armed with explosives. Batman manages to shut down the gas flow and defeat the rocket thug in time to get on the Joker's blimp
. After a brief fight, Batman deteriorates the gas and disables the auto-pilot. After Batman defeats the Joker, he destroys the blimp, and finally takes his archenemy back to Arkham Asylum
. Commissioner Gordon calls Batman to apologize for the earlier SWAT
chase as they found Harley's fingerprints on the batarang that hit him. As Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Harley and the Joker sit in Arkham Asylum, Batman jumps onto the gargoyle
he was on at the start of the game.
. The cast includes Kevin Conroy
returning as Batman
, Mark Hamill
as the Joker
, Tara Strong
as Batgirl
, Diane Pershing
as Poison Ivy, Michael Ansara
as Mr. Freeze
, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.
as Alfred Pennyworth
, Arleen Sorkin
as Harley Quinn
, the late Lloyd Bochner
as Mayor Hamilton Hill
and Bob Hastings
as Commissioner James Gordon.
version drew a lot of negative reviews due to simplified controls.
History of video game consoles (sixth generation)
The sixth-generation era refers to the computer and video games, video game consoles, and video game handhelds available at the turn of the 21st century. Platforms of the sixth generation include the Sega Dreamcast, Sony PlayStation 2, Nintendo GameCube, and Microsoft Xbox...
. It was developed and published by Ubisoft
Ubisoft
Ubisoft Entertainment S.A. is a major French video game publisher and developer, with headquarters in Montreuil, France. The company has a worldwide presence with 25 studios in 17 countries and subsidiaries in 26 countries....
in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
. It is based on DC Comics' character Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
and the television series The New Batman Adventures
The New Batman Adventures
The New Batman Adventures is the successor to Batman: The Animated Series produced by Warner Bros. Animation. Although bearing different character designs and animation styles, both shows take place in the same continuity, with TNBA set two years after BTAS. The series aired on The WB from...
.
Plot
In Batman Vengeance, crime escalates in Gotham CityGotham City
Gotham City is a fictional U.S. city appearing in DC Comics, best known as the home of Batman. Batman's place of residence was first identified as Gotham City in Batman #4 . Gotham City is strongly inspired by Trenton, Ontario's history, location, atmosphere, and various architectural styles...
as Batman finds himself the target of a conspiracy. After saving the life of Mary Flynn (Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn was first introduced as a villain on September 11, 1992, in the animated series Batman: The Animated Series, later adapted into DC Comics' Batman comic books. As suggested by her name , she is clad in the manner of a traditional harlequin jester...
in disguise) Batman is lured to Gotham Bridge where he fights the Joker. After the duel, the Joker slips and hangs over Gotham River. Batman offers to lift him up, but the Joker surprises him with his electric joybuzzer and falls to his apparent death. Batman decides to play along until he knows what's going on. He's alerted to Gotham Industrial, which is under attack by Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 ....
who's looking for a man named Isaac Evers. Freeze was sent a publicity video of promethium supposedly by Evers (It was actually the Joker who sent it in order to stall Batman). After a chase in the Batplane, Evers explains what Freeze was holding and says he has a grant from the Wayne Foundation. Batman later fights Freeze, then goes to save Batgirl
Batgirl
Batgirl is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, frequently depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman...
, who's under attack by a trench coat
Trench coat
A trench coat or trenchcoat is a raincoat made of waterproof heavy-duty cotton drill or poplin, wool gabardine, or leather. It generally has a removable insulated lining; and it is usually knee-length.-History:...
creature. After a Batmobile
Batmobile
The Batmobile is the automobile of DC Comics superhero Batman. The car has evolved along with the character from comic books to television and films. Kept in the Batcave, which it accesses through a hidden entrance, the Batmobile is a gadget-laden vehicle used by Batman in his crime-fighting...
chase, the car crashes and they discover an apple
Apple
The apple is the pomaceous fruit of the apple tree, species Malus domestica in the rose family . It is one of the most widely cultivated tree fruits, and the most widely known of the many members of genus Malus that are used by humans. Apple grow on small, deciduous trees that blossom in the spring...
(though the thug got away). At the Batcave
Batcave
The Batcave is the secret headquarters of fictional DC Comics superhero Batman, the alternate identity of playboy Bruce Wayne, consisting of a series of subterranean caves beneath his residence, Wayne Manor.-Publication history:...
, Batgirl discovers a plant inside the apple (similar to what she saw Mayor get from the trench coat). Batman discovers subtle links between Poison Ivy and Harley. After he defeats Poison Ivy, he heads to Funnibones Warehouse to collect from Harley for letting her walk the night the Joker seemingly died. She informs him of some activity at the Gasworks. He heads there and floods some pipes in order to stop some flammable toys from getting away. He then finds Isaac Evers, who only wanted to burn down Gotham Industrial but fails to convince Batman. He takes Evers outside, but is forced to go undercover after being framed for throwing a Batarang at Commissioner Gordon. Hunted by the police, Batman must discover who is behind these mysteries before Gotham City is destroyed. He heads to Funnibones only to discover the knife that the Joker was holding the night he fell. In the end Batman discovers that the Joker is not dead after all. His plan was to first underline the city with his flammable toys, then use his Joker Toxin mixed with Promethium and flood the city with the gas. Then, the toys were to emerge and ignite the city. The Joker tries to fend him off by using a heavy thug armed with explosives. Batman manages to shut down the gas flow and defeat the rocket thug in time to get on the Joker's blimp
Blimp
A blimp, or non-rigid airship, is a floating airship without an internal supporting framework or keel. A non-rigid airship differs from a semi-rigid airship and a rigid airship in that it does not have any rigid structure, neither a complete framework nor a partial keel, to help the airbag...
. After a brief fight, Batman deteriorates the gas and disables the auto-pilot. After Batman defeats the Joker, he destroys the blimp, and finally takes his archenemy back to Arkham Asylum
Arkham Asylum
The Elizabeth Arkham Asylum for the Criminally Insane, commonly referred to simply as Arkham Asylum, is a fictional psychiatric hospital in the DC Comics Universe, usually appearing in stories featuring Batman...
. Commissioner Gordon calls Batman to apologize for the earlier SWAT
SWAT
A SWAT team is an elite tactical unit in various national law enforcement departments. They are trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers...
chase as they found Harley's fingerprints on the batarang that hit him. As Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, Harley and the Joker sit in Arkham Asylum, Batman jumps onto the gargoyle
Gargoyle
In architecture, a gargoyle is a carved stone grotesque, usually made of granite, with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building thereby preventing rainwater from running down masonry walls and eroding the mortar between...
he was on at the start of the game.
Production
Vengeance took environmental and character designs from The New Batman Adventures, and starred most of the main voice cast from the series and its predecessor Batman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated Series
Batman: The Animated Series is an American animated series based on the DC Comics character Batman. The series featured an ensemble cast of many voice-actors including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., Arleen Sorkin, and Loren Lester. The series won four Emmy Awards and was nominated...
. The cast includes Kevin Conroy
Kevin Conroy
Kevin Conroy is an American stage, screen, and voice actor, best known for his acclaimed voice role as Batman in numerous animated television series, feature films, and video games that make up the DC Animated Universe.-Early life:...
returning as Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, Mark Hamill
Mark Hamill
Mark Richard Hamill is an American actor, voice artist, producer, director, and writer, best known for his role as Luke Skywalker in the original trilogy of Star Wars. More recently, he has received acclaim for his voice work, in such roles as the Joker in Batman: The Animated Series, Firelord...
as the Joker
Joker (comics)
The Joker is a fictional character, a comic book supervillain published by DC Comics. He is the archenemy of Batman, having been directly responsible for numerous tragedies in Batman's life, including the paralysis of Barbara Gordon and the death of Jason Todd, the second Robin...
, Tara Strong
Tara Strong
Tara Lyn Strong is a Canadian actress, voice-over artist, singer, who is best known for her voice work in cartoons.-Early life and career:...
as Batgirl
Batgirl
Batgirl is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, frequently depicted as female counterparts to the superhero Batman...
, Diane Pershing
Diane Pershing
Diane Pershing, born and raised in Queens, New York, is a romance novelist, television writer and voice actor.She wrote episodes for the television series The Love Boat and What's Happening Now!!...
as Poison Ivy, Michael Ansara
Michael Ansara
Michael Ansara is a Syrian-born American stage, screen, and voice actor best known for his portrayal of Cochise in the American television series Broken Arrow, Kane in the 1979-81 series Buck Rogers in the 25th Century, and Commander Kang on three different Star Trek TV series.- Early life and...
as Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze
Mr. Freeze, real name Dr. Victor Fries , is a DC Comics supervillain, an enemy of Batman. Created by Bob Kane, he first appeared in Batman #121 ....
, Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.
Efrem Zimbalist, Jr.
Efrem Zimbalist, Jr. is an American actor known for his starring roles in the television series 77 Sunset Strip and The F.B.I. He is also known as recurring character "Dandy Jim Buckley" in the series Maverick and as the voice behind the character Alfred Pennyworth in Batman: The Animated Series...
as Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth
Alfred Pennyworth is a fictional character that appears throughout the DC Comics franchise. The character first appears in Batman #16 , and was created by writer Bob Kane and artist Jerry Robinson. Alfred serves as Batman’s tireless butler, assistant, confidant, and surrogate father figure...
, Arleen Sorkin
Arleen Sorkin
Arleen Sorkin is an American actress, screenwriter, presenter and comedienne. Sorkin is known for portraying Calliope Jones on the NBC daytime serial Days of our Lives and for voicing Batman DC comic supervillainess Harley Quinn in Batman: The Animated Series and the many animated series and...
as Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn
Harley Quinn was first introduced as a villain on September 11, 1992, in the animated series Batman: The Animated Series, later adapted into DC Comics' Batman comic books. As suggested by her name , she is clad in the manner of a traditional harlequin jester...
, the late Lloyd Bochner
Lloyd Bochner
Lloyd Wolfe Bochner was a Canadian actor, usually playing the role of suave, rich leading men.- Career :...
as Mayor Hamilton Hill
Hamilton Hill (comics)
Hamilton Hill is a DC Comics character. He is the mayor of Gotham City and an adversary of Batman.-History:Hamilton Hill is a corrupt politician who ran against Arthur Reeves in the mayorial elections in Gotham City. Hamilton Hill defeats Arthur Reeves when Reeves’s "Batman identity" photos turn...
and Bob Hastings
Bob Hastings
Robert "Bob" Hastings is an American film, radio, and television character actor. He has also provided voices for animated cartoons....
as Commissioner James Gordon.
Reception
Batman Vengeance received average reviews by critics and fans alike. There was much criticism for the first person view, and there were also complaints about the player's abilities being limited. The PCPersonal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
version drew a lot of negative reviews due to simplified controls.