Gotham City Imposters Preview

Warner Brothers have worked out what the rest of us have known for a while: Batman is good, give people more Batman. In response to this simple credo, Monolith Productions have created Gotham City Imposters, a team-based multiplayer shooter for Xbox LIVE Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC download. Available in 2012, Gotham City Imposters will see teams of imposters, inspired by Gotham heroes and villains, squaring off against each other in multiplayer combat.

On the show floor, the Jokerz were fighting the Bats (it is unclear if there will be any other team skins in the final game) for control of a map set in an abandoned theme-park. The mode on show is a variant of capture the flag, where the players fight to gain control of a battery that will power a “Propaganda Machine” at the centre of the map. If activated, the other team are rendered unable to use their weapons, overcome by the insults and strong words blaring out at them, which allows the team who planted the battery to mop up some easy kills. As with most modern FPSs, these kills give the player XP which, in turn, can be swapped for some imaginative perks.

The perks and gadgets are one of the game’s unique features; playing as the Jokerz, God is a Geek was able to use a grappling hook to speed around the map, accessing power ups and areas of the map unavailable to the less mobile Bats. Warner Bros. confirmed only one other such mobility power up; a pair a roller skates that can be used to speed movement and avoid taking fire.

This is an imaginative use of the Batman license; the primary colours and tongue in cheek humour are a clever counterpoint to the dark blacks and blues of Rocksteady’s adventure in Batman: Arkham City. Costumes in Gotham City Impostors are reminiscent of those worn by the Batman and Joker copycats in the Christopher Nolan movie, only with a colour scheme straight from the comic books.

Gotham City Impostors played well, environments were busy and engaging, filled with trampolines, choke points, hiding spots and secret passages. It is a brave move to target a game straight at the multiplayer FPS space but the Batman license, the unique perks and gadgets do make this an appealing alternative to Modern Warfare for Batman fans and for those people tired of the po-faced offerings dominating online multiplayer.

You find more information on Gotham City Imposters at the official website, here.

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