The Batman franchise as a whole has had a long sordid past in the videogame world. Some games have been of excellent quality; while others have been so bad it’s amazing they ever got produced.
With that in mind, I started playing this game with relatively low expectations. After all, if you keep the bar low, you sometimes get pleasantly surprised. This is one of those times.
Aesthetics:
Visually Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu is very impressive. Using a very basic style that is reminiscent of cel-shading, the characters and environments are beautifully detailed and perfectly convey the look of the classic cartoon.
The game engine features many extras that most games of this type never seem to add. For example, most of the levels in Gotham City have a thin layer of fog over the ground. This is not the kind of fog that plagues a game when the developers are too lazy to render something. No, this is the kind of fog that parts when your character moves through it, only to reform when you have passed. It really isn't much, but it's always the little things that impress me.
One effect that is doubly impressive is when a villain activates a special weapon against Batman, and the villains face briefly dominates the screen. The first time I saw this I thought I was hallucinating, but it is there. You just have to be fast to see it.
Sound:
For some reason, every single arcade fighting game has to have the most unforgettable music. Batman is only a slight exception to this rule. During the levels the music got repetitive enough that I turned it down to avoid going bonkers. The opening theme, and the character selection screen however are worth playing at full volume.
Sound effects fare much better in comparison. The usual punches and kicks sound spot on, and the banter between two player characters when they fight is great. Batman will complement his protégées and vice versa. Once again, it’s the little things that matter, and this game is filled with them.
Control:
What would a game like this be without a good control scheme? Answer: A very small coaster.
Thankfully Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu has one of the most accurate control layouts of any game of its type. Moving a character around the level is so fluid that ten minutes into learning how to play, you forget the controller is even there. Everything from basic attacks to special moves are simple and easy to execute. It really gives you a feeling of power watching your character pull of some fancy martial art move, with a simple button combination from you.
Gameplay:
Arcade fighting games in general tend to lack varied attacks for your character. This leads to the same moves being performed over, and over, and over again. While this is fine for the first couple of minutes, it tends to get tedious fast. (Bet you can guess where I'm going with this.) Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu avoids this completely. Each hero in the game has over 30 different moves and combinations to use against the games near endless stream of goons. Some moves are basic, and some are downright flashy. You purchase new moves with points you get in previous levels for performing combinations of your existing moves. It’s a win-win situation that rewards the player for using every move in his or her repertoire. The more style you use while kicking butt, the more points you get for increasingly stylish moves. This is truly excellent design.
If the fantastic story mode isn't enough, players can also do mini games to unlock bonus features such as artwork and conceptual designs. In fact, the game is filled with bonus content that can only be unlocked by playing through its various modes. Think Super Smash Brothers Melee, and you have an idea of what to expect.
There is even a half an hour-long video of the making of the game for those that complete it.
Multiplayer:
As much as I enjoy playing this game alone, it truly doesn’t hit its full potential until a second player is brought in. Certain people will shout from the rooftops that online gaming is the only way to play with a friend, but I will always prefer someone sitting next to me, with all the resulting banter that accompanies it.
With a second player Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu becomes even more of a treat to play, with the added communication between players and their on screen avatars.
OVERALL:
If you couldn't tell by now, I love this game. After all, nothing beats a good co-op beat em' up. With its excellent production values, spot on control, and ridiculously addictive multiplayer mode, this game deserves to be a part of anyone’s collection. Plus, the GameCube version is the only one to receive a special limited edition lithograph and manual cover art.
Oh, and at a retail price of 19.99, you can't beat the price. Pick it up now.
The Lowdown on  Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
| Aesthetics: Awesome |
Control: Awesome |
| Gameplay: Awesome |
Multiplayer: Awesome |
| Sound: Above Average |
Innovation: 5/6 |
| Lasting Appeal: 6/6 |
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Overall: Awesome!
"Top of the Genre"
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Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu
