Batman Forever
Reviewed by Shawn Hansen
Batman Forever is the third game of the Batman series on the Super NES. Batman
and Batman Returns were the first two. This one is, by far, the best. It is superior
in almost every way. With its choice of weapons, one player mode, two-player
cooperative or competitive mode, as well as one- or two-player practice mode,
this game stands out as being one of the best.
Graphics 8 out of 10
Good graphics. Sometimes, the hit detection is a little hard to tell, but, for the most
part, the graphics are great. The other downfall is the annoying cinema scene before
you start playing each level. Fortunately, you don't have to watch it. Also, the Batman
logo that appears every time you move into a new section becomes annoying. But,
overall, the graphics do a good job.
Music and Sound 8.5 out of 10
The music is very good ... very appropriate to the level being played. The music in the
opening cinema scenes is annoying but, again, it can be skipped.
The sounds the people make as they get hit is one of the better points of the sounds.
Also, each weapon makes a sound when thrown, and when it strikes an opponent.
Game Challenge 8 out of 10
The main reason this game is challenging is because of awful play control. Even with
the instruction manual, many of the weapons are nearly impossible to use. Even by
pushing the correct buttons, a lot of the weapons won't work. And, the blueprints for
weapons take a lot of time to figure out - you need to get into an area and bash buttons
for a while to figure out how they work, and even then you have to remember what the
sequence was. Furthermore, sometimes the buttons for one weapon actually activate
another weapon!
The computer opponents are actually surprisingly challenging, although the strategy to
take a lot of them down is the same.
Game Play-Fun 7 out of 10
Again, the bad play control really lowers how fun this game could be. The practice
modes can be fun to get used to the characters and weapons, as well as a way to get
used to the strategies of computer opponents. However, it can also be used as a way
to challenge your friends to see who is the best fighter ... sort of a game within a game.
Frustration
Two words: play control. The weapons can be nearly impossible to use. Even if the code
to get all the weapons (look for it here at www.world-of-nintendo.com, if you don't
know it) isn't that great since the weapons aren't activated by the buttons the
instruction manual says! It's very annoying to have to figure out how all the weapons
work on your own.
Replayability 5 out of 10
I never beat this game myself, but once you have, it's beaten. The only reason to play it
again is for the two-player modes. Other than that, this game really has no replay value.
Game Value 6.5 out of 10
Whatever this game is priced at, it's worth it for the mutliplayer modes. Other than
that, it's really not worth it. Rent it, and if you like it, then maybe you'll look to buy
it. Personally, I wouldn't.
Overall 7 out of 10
This game is, in my opinion, better than the first two in the Batman series for the
Super NES. However, a lot could have been done to improve it. The buttons to use
weapons could have been simplified, or there could have been a menu to activate
different weapons, as with other games like the Mega Man series.
The multiplayer modes, though, make this game more fun. Going through the game
together makes things easier. Also, another mode sees you and your opponent being
able to beat the computer opponents up as well as each other! Also, the muliplayer
practice modes are quite good.