14 DAY TRIAL // The PC as a gaming platform has been in a cone of shadow lately, with only the release of The Sims 3 managing to draw some attention to it. Other developers and publishers seem quite satisfied with not bringing their new titles to it or if they do decide to grace it with a game, it is usually delayed in order for console owners to get their copies first.
Such is the case with Eidos' Batman: Akham Asylum, which promised to let players control the famous comic book character as he progresses through Gotham City's most infamous detainment facility and faces some of his greatest enemies, including the Joker or Poison Ivy.
It appears that the delay has a pretty interesting explanation, as Eidos and Nvidia have announced that the PC version will support the latter's PhysX technology, which will add just that extra bit of realism to the dark and gritty world of the asylum in Arkham.
Don't think that the delay is a big one, as even though the console versions are set to be released on August 25 for North American and August 28 for Europe, the PC version will arrive on September 15 and 18, respectively, meaning that the wait won't be something most PC gamers can't bear.
With the new PhysX technology, the owners of an Nvidia graphics board will be able to provide a new level of realism that will make the world of Arkham Asylum that much more terrifying. From the dark and foggy corridors to the cobwebs in the corners of the ceilings, the movement throughout the facility will be very intense. Also, the combat system will have a lot of the background objects like documents or soda cans fly through the air, and the stone walls will be chipped when the bad guys are thrown there by Batman.
“Supporting Nvidia PhysX technology has allowed us to add that little bit extra to the PC version of the game,” said Sefton Hill, Game Director at Rocksteady Studios. “As Batman interacts with the world, the aging asylum creates a more immersive, believable world which really draws the player in.”
All in all, a lot of PC gamers saw this delay coming, but considering the major improvement that Mirror's Edge for the PC with PhysX enabled on the PC delivered, this game will be well worth the wait.