Batman: Dark Tomorrow

"So hideous, it might induce a diabetic coma."

This game was somewhat hyped, and we all know by now that hype eventually leads into expectations and only escalates from there. What's worse is that most games that are hyped still have some of the implementations that were mentioned to be had, but in this game, there is nothing redeeming of the sort.

Graphics-2/10
I think I've seen better Super Nintendo game graphics. The graphics are choppy, pixilated and very grainy, making it a task in itself to even cope with, until you reach the cut scenes, which were by some means done way better then that of the in game graphics. It kind of makes one wonder why would a developer spend that much time implementing such good graphic quality for the cut scenes and deny everything else that is contained in the game. Because truly, the only thing that comes close to being half way decent were the rather lengthy cut scenes that were unfolded in a relative theatrical way.

Story-5/10
The story here is basically the saving point of the game, which isn't really saying much, not even a well done story can save a game that has horrid gameplay. You have your plot that consists of a psychotic that plans demolishing Gotham at it's core and only elaborates in depth from there, as you face off against some notorious foes.

Sound-3/10
It has it's fair share of good dark and melodramatic orchestra strings thrown in, but nothing that can be really remembered between the time it's heard and a couple milliseconds afterwards. The sound effects are mediocre, and the voice acting is sub par.

Gameplay-2/10
Yes, it's just that bad to warrant such a low score. The whole point behind an action game is to have some extensive attacks. Three or four combos that can only be utilized throughout an entire game might of sufficed back in the SNES day's, but certainly not when time progressed. It's not only the fact that Batman has a rather poor arsenal of attacks, what makes it that much more ludicrous is that they were done terribly. Batman moves with such a stiffness from when he runs to throwing any type of attack that could possibly make the player ponder if Bat's suddenly received muscular dystrophy. Punching kicking, running, and activating gadgets all have tremendously horrible animations. By far the worst animation would be using the Bat grapple, when Batman flips at the peak of his jump, it looks bad, spina bifida bad. The stealth aspect of the game was just not implemented in terms of being satisfactory at all, the fixed camera angles are more then just an ailment, the game inherits a redundant scheme of play with the lack of any attacks, much less having to batcuff every thug you run into being bogged down in the process.

Replayability-1/10
Nothing here, unless you wish to collect note pads and cd's, but I wouldn't recommend the atrocity of going back through such a pain staking process, not unless your idea of replay value, let alone gameplay consists of such ridiculous play mechanics that could even make Superman 64 an academy award winner, then go for it.

Over all
This game was an extreme let down in the eyes of the majority of Batman fans and just about any other consumer whether or not they were looking forward to it or just merely browsed and came across it. There isn't to much to warrant here, other then keep away from this title like it's influenza.

Reviewer's Score: 2/10, Originally Posted: 04/17/03, Updated 04/17/03