Batman: Vengeance
An original Batman story inspired by The New Batman Adventures.
Batman: Vengeance is an action-adventure game released in 2001, developed by Ubi Soft Montreal and published by Ubi Soft alongside Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It draws from the DC Comics character Batman and takes inspiration from the television series *The New Batman Adventures*, with the show’s voice cast returning to their roles. The story is original, centering on Batman probing the apparent death of his archrival, the Joker, while dealing with other villains and their schemes endangering Gotham City.
The game launched on October 23, 2001, for the PlayStation 2, and later saw ports for the Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Xbox, and Microsoft Windows over the following months. Critics gave it mixed reviews.
In gameplay, players control Batman from a third-person view, navigating environments that blend platforming, combat, stealth, puzzles, and occasional vehicle or aerial sections. Typically, the player can run, walk, jump, climb ledges, and use Batman’s cape to glide from heights, allowing rooftop traversal or movement through the area. A variety of gadgets can be cycled through to help take down enemies or move around; when using a gadget like a batarang or grappling hook, the view shifts to first-person.
Combat follows a beat 'em up style, requiring players to chain melee moves such as punches, kicks, and blocks, with stronger attacks unlocked as the game progresses. Fights often mix ranged gadget use (to disarm or distract foes) with close-quarters hand-to-hand combat; once enemies are down, Batman must quickly handcuff them to stop them from getting back up. Beyond platforming and fighting, the game includes driving and flying segments where players control the Batmobile and Batwing, as well as free-fall sequences where Batman rescues falling civilians. Some levels focus on stealth and puzzle-solving, requiring Batman to sneak along walls, peek around corners, or navigate laser-fence puzzles using key cards or codes.
The Game Boy Advance version alternates between several gameplay styles: mostly 2D side-scrolling action platforming for Batman, overhead-view puzzle and action stages for Robin, and occasional driving or flying sections with the Batmobile or Batwing. It offers a mix of action-platforming, simple combat, gadget use, light puzzles, and vehicle stages to deliver a “Batman experience.” In side-scrolling levels, Batman can walk,
- Release date
- October 23, 2001
- Platforms
- PlayStation 2, Game Boy Advance, GameCube, Xbox, Microsoft Windows
- Developer
- Ubi Soft Montreal
- Publisher
- Ubi Soft, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
- Genre
- Action-adventure
- Based on
- DC Comics character Batman, inspired by The New Batman Adventures
Lore & Background
The game's plot begins with Batman saving a woman named Mary from a bomb planted by the Joker at Gotham Chemicals. The Joker is holding her son hostage for ransom. Using a transmitter, Batman tracks the Joker and Mary to a partially demolished Gotham Bridge, where Mary is unmasked as Harley Quinn and the kidnapping scheme is revealed to be a plot to trap Batman. Batman defeats the Joker, but the latter falls off the bridge to his apparent death. Suspicious that the Joker survived, Batman lets Harley escape in order to monitor her using the transmitter. Batman and Batgirl are later alerted to Mr. Freeze attacking Gotham Industrial Research to kill scientist Isaac Evers, the creator of the synthetic fuel Promethium.
Reader's Guide
Batman: Vengeance is significant as a video game adaptation that directly draws from the acclaimed animated series The New Batman Adventures, featuring its original voice cast. The game received mixed reviews from critics, as noted by review aggregator Metacritic. Its legacy lies in being one of the early 3D action-adventure games to attempt a faithful translation of the Batman mythos, combining platforming, combat, stealth, puzzles, and vehicle sequences. The Game Boy Advance version offered a distinct hybrid experience with side-scrolling action, overhead puzzle stages for Robin, and top-down vehicle segments. The game's original storyline, involving the Joker faking his death and manipulating other villains, was a notable narrative effort for a licensed game of the era. While not critically acclaimed, it remains a reference point for fans of the animated series and for the history of Batman video games.
Did You Know?
- The game features the voice cast from The New Batman Adventures, including Kevin Conroy as Batman and Mark Hamill as the Joker.
- Michael Ansara performed his final acting role as Mr. Freeze in this game.
- The Game Boy Advance version includes an Advance Mode unlocked via passwords, with timed objectives and hidden collectibles.
- The game's plot involves the Joker faking his death and manipulating Mr. Freeze, Poison Ivy, and Isaac Evers.
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