If, like me, you've had the joy of receiving not one but two Batman games for Christmas, you'll be hard at work struggling to decide which one to play in the brief gaps between work, sleep, and the rest of life. If, also like me, you're easily confused, you'll find yourself attempting feats in one game that are only possible in the other. To help, I've put together a brief guide to help tell the difference between the two newest Batmen in my life.
Suit
Arkham Batman has a magic gliding suit that enables him to fly over the rooftops of Gotham City like, well, a bat. Lego Batman can do this as well, but you have to be wearing the right suit. This is the area I have most problem with - on reaching the edge of a platform, Arkham Batman leaps gracefully into the air and sets off on a windy and almost horizontal flight. Lego Batman does not. This is a key difference but unfortunately as it's the one I'm struggling most with it's only helpful as a reminder of which game I'm playing after I've just plunged to my death. Moving on.
Voice
Lego Batman has a deep, gruff, no-nonsense kind of voice. The kind of voice you expect an action hero to have. The kind of voice that commands respect without trying, that says, I'm going to talk to you for as long as I deem necessary, then I'm either going to beat you to a pulp, or leave, or both. By contrast, Arkham Batman has a strong, throaty monotone that oozes authority and style, a voice that sounds like it's been gargling on broken glass and marbles and they came off worse. In short, they're pretty much identical.
Gadgets
Lego Batman can 'catch' electricity and use it to activate certain bits of machinery. He also has explosives for breaking through certain kinds of obstacles. Also, he can throw batarangs at opponents. Arkham Batman can do all of these things too.
Appearance
Arkham Batman looks like he just escaped from a graphic novel set inside a steroid testing facility. Lego Batman looks like a Lego man. Pretty difficult to tell the difference, right? All right, fine, Mr I-have-no-problem-differentiating-between-real-people-and-lego-people. I see you have no problem.
Robin
Lego Batman has a Robin! Arkham Batman does not. Apart from later on, when he shows up. Drat.
Gameplay
Throughout the game, Lego Batman is helped on his missions by an occasional interjection by his loyal butler, Alfred. Also, while each mission has a clear objective, there are smaller objectives to be found throughout the place, which give bonuses when unlocked. Also, a huge chunk of Gotham City is yours to play with and explore to your heart's content. By contrast, Lego Batman... er, wait. Which one was I talking about?
Conclusion
If you're looking for a Batman game this Christmas, with all the proper Batman stuff in it, then you're already too late as Christmas has been and gone. If, however, you're still on the lookout for one and can easily distinguish an imaginary real man from an imaginary plastic one, then I can heartily recommend either of these games I've barely started playing through yet.