Batman & Robin (video game)
Batman & Robin is an action-adventure video game based on DC Comics' Batman for the PlayStation. It was developed by Probe Entertainment[2] and published by Acclaim Entertainment in conjunction with Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and DC Comics. It is based on the 1997 film of the same name.
Batman & Robin | |
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Developer(s) | Probe Entertainment |
Publisher(s) | Acclaim Entertainment |
Producer(s) | Peter Jones |
Designer(s) | Matt Nagy |
Programmer(s) | David Shea |
Artist(s) | Guy Mills |
Composer(s) | Tim Follin |
Platform(s) | PlayStation |
Release | |
Genre(s) | Action-adventure |
Mode(s) | Single-player |
Gameplay
The game uses elements of a Sandbox style game, such as real-time events, traffic simulation and civilian population. The player can choose one of the film's three heroes, Batman, Robin or Batgirl.[3] Each character uses a unique vehicle. Batman drives the Batmobile, Robin the Redbird motorcycle and Batgirl uses the Batblade. In the game, the player travels around Gotham City and completes various individual missions, such as preventing Mr. Freeze from robbing a bank. Most of the events are not triggered; instead, each event occurs at a certain time. For example, Mr. Freeze's bank robbery occurs at 7 p.m. The player must find clues and discover the plot with the help of the Batcomputer. If the player cannot find enough clues, the event occurs, failing the mission. Some situations are derived directly from the plot of the film, while others were conceived for the game.
Development
Acclaim originally scheduled Batman & Robin for release in the third quarter of 1997, in order to coincide with the film's theatrical release.[3]
Reception
Aggregator | Score |
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GameRankings | 47%[4] |
Publication | Score |
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AllGame | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Consoles + | 75%[6] |
EGM | 2.357/10[7] |
Game Informer | 5/10[8] |
GamePro | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
GameSpot | 5.7/10[10] |
IGN | 5/10[11] |
Next Generation | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
OPM (UK) | 6/10[13] |
OPM (US) | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Like the film, the PlayStation game was critically and commercially unsuccessful, as it received generally unfavourable reviews according to the review aggregation website GameRankings.[4] Game Informer gave it a mixed review, over two months before it was released Stateside.[8] IGN noted in their review, "In the end, you'll buy this game only if you're a Batman fanatic, not because it's a good game."[11] Next Generation said, "While not in the same league as previous Acclaim licensed horrors, Batman and Robin [sic] is still pretty damn horrible."[12]
References
- "Acclaim Ships Batman* & Robin * for PlayStation®". Acclaim Entertainment. 4 August 1998. Archived from the original on 26 August 2004.
- "Batman and Robin (Preview)". GamePro. No. 108. IDG. September 1997. p. 59.
- "News Bits". GamePro. No. 106. IDG. July 1997. p. 21.
- "Batman & Robin for PlayStation". GameRankings. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 1 May 2019. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- Weiss, Brett Alan. "Batman & Robin - Review". AllGame. All Media Network. Archived from the original on 16 November 2014. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- Niiico; Spy (September 1998). "Batman & Robin". Consoles + (in French). No. 80. pp. 116–17.
- EGM staff (October 1998). "Batman & Robin". Electronic Gaming Monthly. No. 111. Ziff Davis.
- "Batman & Robin". Game Informer. No. 62. FuncoLand. June 1998. Archived from the original on 30 September 1999. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- Boba Fatt (October 1998). "Batman & Robin". GamePro. No. 121. IDG. p. 172. Archived from the original on 16 January 2005. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- Fielder, Joe (6 August 1998). "Batman & Robin Review [date mislabeled as "April 28, 2000"]". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Retrieved 11 September 2020.
- Perry, Douglass C. (11 August 1998). "Batman & Robin". IGN. Ziff Davis. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- "Batman and Robin [sic]". Next Generation. No. 47. Imagine Media. November 1998. p. 154. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- Merrett, Steve (August 1998). "Batman & Robin". Official UK PlayStation Magazine. No. 35. Future Publishing. pp. 108–09. Retrieved 29 October 2020.
- "Batman & Robin". Official U.S. PlayStation Magazine. Vol. 2 no. 1. Ziff Davis. October 1998.