Batman Returns for Sega CD

Image: MobyGames

Batman Returns

Driving only. Trust me.

Genre: racing - arcade

Publisher: Sega

Year: 1992

System: Sega CD

Gameplay Score: 3

Gameplay Notes:

First things first, this is two games rolled into one. The first is a platformer that gives Batman Forever a run for its money as the worst Batman licensed product of ever made. The less said about it, the better. Second is a combat driving game that must be seen to be believed. Thankfully, the options menu let's you choose between All Stages, Only Platform, or Only Driving. So let's talk about the driving game, shall we? Controls are what you'd expect, except for one glaring problem - your batarang machine gun is a semi-automatic so you can't simply hold down on A. B is gas and C is missiles which obviously has limited ammo. The semi-automatic gun means you have to mash while also holding B which leads to instant fatigue. Couple that with enemies who can only be hit from behind and you'll be awkwardly managing your speed and machine gun fire. I really want to like this game because it's so technically amazing but the combat lets it down. That said, the driving itself is great.

Level Design Score: 1

Level Design Notes:

First, the tracks look incredible! The road is wide enough that you'll never hit the barriers, so to speak. The only thing on the road are enemies, and every vehicle is an enemy, so there's no variety whatsoever. Just shoot everything that moves. The driving section is continuous, but broken up into short segments where you have 30-40 seconds to kill a set number of enemies. Your health is restored between stages so the time limit and damage are the only way to lose. And surprise, surprise, the time limits are way too short. Finally - and maybe this is a personal problem - but I could not beat the first boss in stage 6. I could not figure out how to hurt him enough to get about half of his health before time ran out. So, boring tracks, dumb level objectives, and an impossible boss. What a waste.

Theme Score: 5

Theme Notes:

Batman! Amazing full screen cutscenes are a sight to see.

Art Style Score: 5

Art Style Notes:

Incredible faux 3D driving that looks as good as any PS1 racing game. We'll, maybe not Gran Turismo, but you get the idea. Awesome sprite work as well, especially Tim Burton's dope Batmobile.

Audio Score: 4

Audio Notes:

Fantastic air guitar riffs play as you drive. Sound effects are quiet and take a backseat to the soundtrack which is wonderful but feels out of place. Why aren't we listening to Danny Elfman's soundtrack?

Overall Score: 58

Review ID: 12008