First Batman: Arkham Asylum Review - 96% From GamesMaster UK (Pictures Inside)

Well seeing as I am a subscriber of GamesMaster UK magazine, the latest issue popped through my door today and I was surprised to see that Batman: Arkham Asylum has received a rating of 96%.

Here are some pictures I took of the magazine. I know that they are not good enough quality to read because they where took with my mobile, but at least it's some proof that the game actually got such a high rating.

Graphics - Beautifully designed/animated - the attention to detail is almost unparalleled.

Gameplay - Breathtakingly good - it brilliantly weaves several types of play together.

Lifespan - You can steam through the story in 12 hours, but you will want to savour it.

OVERALL - NOT ONLY THE BEST BATMAN GAME EVER, BUT ONE OF THE FINEST ADENTURES OF ITS GENERATION - 96%

I don't know the MAG, but WOW :shock:, 96%...that is a great score!:P

The PS3 verison has the JOKER added to it, is that part of the high score?8)

Eidos did some bribing.

Eidos did some bribing.

Communistsheep

Eidos did some bribing.

Communistsheep

[QUOTE="Communistsheep"]

Eidos did some bribing.

Chutebox

[QUOTE="Communistsheep"]

Eidos did some bribing.

Chutebox

Yes thats true.... Eidos essentially sold the exclusive rights to have the first review..... thedeal was, the mag could release their review early... if they put the game on the cover... and scored it above 90%.

[QUOTE="Chutebox"][QUOTE="Communistsheep"]

Eidos did some bribing.

AAllxxjjnn

I learned of it from the "Three Red Lights" podcast on IGN.

[QUOTE="Chutebox"][QUOTE="Communistsheep"]

Eidos did some bribing.

whatisazerg

Yes thats true.... Eidos essentially sold the exclusive rights to have the first review..... thedeal was, the mag could release their review early... if they put the game on the cover... and scored it above 90%.

Eidos did some bribing.

It's Arkham not Dark, but cool find, was hoping this would score well :)

The only thing that worries me about this is Paul Dini. His comics have been sucking lately.

First Batman.

Stopped reading there.

sweet. i really hope for more villain surprises in game. would love it if Riddler and/or Freeze showed up.

Awesome news.

Eidos bribed this mag fo sho, there is an embargo on B:DA reviews unless the mag gives the game a 90%+ score while also having the game being featured on the front cover, that is exactly what GamesMaster UK did. if they dont do this then they cant release the review before games release

The "GM Loves/GM Hates" sections of that review is awfully suspicious >_>Juggernaut140

[QUOTE="Communistsheep"]

Eidos did some bribing.

Chutebox

good news, hey that mag is not tied into a brick and mortar retailer like game informer though is it? gi is ok but sometimes i feel like it's reviews are nothing more than an advetisement for the titles they order the most of.

Dude, you might want to take down the magazine scans. I don't think you're suppose to post them.

Game looks good, but yeah, review seems fishy.

Same as RE 4. 0.0

[QUOTE="Communistsheep"]

Eidos did some bribing.

Chutebox

http://kotaku.com/5311606/%5Bupdate%5D-eidos-once-again-attempting-to-mess-with-review-scores

HAZAA! They really did it!!! Eidos you cheating bastards.

Hey TC does GM usually have a reviewed game as the cover to their mag or is it usually a previewed game like every other magazinge?

Eidos did some bribing.

[QUOTE="Chutebox"][QUOTE="Communistsheep"]

Eidos did some bribing.

Guybrush_3

http://kotaku.com/5311606/%5Bupdate%5D-eidos-once-again-attempting-to-mess-with-review-scores

HAZAA! They really did it!!! Eidos you cheating bastards.

[QUOTE="Guybrush_3"]

[QUOTE="Chutebox"] Actually, there was some article, I don't remember from who, that said if you see any magazines bust out with the score early, with an AAA score, and have the game on the cover, it's a sign that Eidos really did some bribing. I know someone remembers what I"m talking bout.biggest_loser

http://kotaku.com/5311606/%5Bupdate%5D-eidos-once-again-attempting-to-mess-with-review-scores

HAZAA! They really did it!!! Eidos you cheating bastards.

I'm still calling BS on their score because they put it on the cover too. It kills all credibility and reaks of foul play.

[QUOTE="Guybrush_3"]

[QUOTE="Chutebox"] Actually, there was some article, I don't remember from who, that said if you see any magazines bust out with the score early, with an AAA score, and have the game on the cover, it's a sign that Eidos really did some bribing. I know someone remembers what I"m talking bout.biggest_loser

http://kotaku.com/5311606/%5Bupdate%5D-eidos-once-again-attempting-to-mess-with-review-scores

HAZAA! They really did it!!! Eidos you cheating bastards.

First Batman.

Stopped reading there.

shutdown_202

[QUOTE="biggest_loser"][QUOTE="Guybrush_3"]

http://kotaku.com/5311606/%5Bupdate%5D-eidos-once-again-attempting-to-mess-with-review-scores

HAZAA! They really did it!!! Eidos you cheating bastards.

PS3Gamer_1

I learned of it from the "Three Red Lights" podcast on IGN.

whatisazerg

[QUOTE="PS3Gamer_1"][QUOTE="biggest_loser"] They're not dictating what the scores are - they're just saying that if you give it a high mark they'll let them put it on the front early. ManicAce

[QUOTE="shutdown_202"]

First Batman.

Stopped reading there.

Wombatringo

I know and im looking forward to the game.

But when exclusive review and Eidos are in the picture, it leaves much to doubt. Like many have said in this thread, im going to wait till post launch for some real reviews.

[QUOTE="Chutebox"][QUOTE="Communistsheep"]

Eidos did some bribing.

Guybrush_3

http://kotaku.com/5311606/%5Bupdate%5D-eidos-once-again-attempting-to-mess-with-review-scores

HAZAA! They really did it!!! Eidos you cheating bastards.

Hey TC does GM usually have a reviewed game as the cover to their mag or is it usually a previewed game like every other magazinge?

WOW....i wasnt expecting that high! Great score :o

[QUOTE="PS3Gamer_1"] Obvious in what way....increased magazine sales? I totally understand the benefit, but would magazines destroy their credibility in order to put out an advanced review? This is risky tactics to establish yourself as a magazine that sells their reviews. Just saying. And it's not like Eidos is straight up saying change your review. All they are saying is if your review is above a 90 you can publish it, if it isn't wait. They aren't outright paying for the reviewer to change the scores. Anyways, this is all speculation, and I am positive Eidos aren't the only ones to use such tactics. Like I said, still a purchase for me. Waiting on more trusted sites (imo) to review to see if it is an immediate purchase or delayed one!ManicAce

Totally agree with you. This is a shady practice (again if it indeed did occur). And yes the increased exposure does create sales. I am just skeptical that a magazine would jeopardize their credibility, or risk it, especially now when you can get on the internet and get multiple reviews for said game. Even though in this instance they would have to wait around to do more research. But I totally agree that this is shady, and I am almost positive they aren't the only ones partaking in such practices.

If this game was good, there would be a ton of reviews out already. IGN is obviously scoring this lower than AAA, because they are quite punctual with their reviews. Who knows about GS; is there even a BlazBlue review yet?wstfld

This game looks stellar. Can't. Freakin'. Wait!

A few people seem to be telling me to remove the pictures, but seeing as they aren't really scans of the review I don't think it's against the rules. You can't read the actual review, so I think it's ok.

If a moderator wants to remove them though, that's fine. :)