The development of Batman Forever the video game was closely tied to the release of the 1995 film of the same name, which was directed by Joel Schumacher and starred Val Kilmer as Batman. Acclaim Entertainment, the publisher, aimed to capitalize on the film’s expected box office success by producing a video game adaptation for multiple platforms, including the Sega Genesis, SNES, Game Boy, Game Gear, and PC.

Development Background

Acclaim Entertainment, known for its work on Mortal Kombat, brought in Probe Entertainment to develop Batman Forever. With Acclaim’s experience in digitized graphics from the Mortal Kombat franchise, they decided to use similar technology for Batman Forever. This decision led to the game’s distinctive graphical style, which involved photographing real actors performing various actions, then digitizing the images and incorporating them into the game. The actors performed martial arts moves while wearing Batman and Robin costumes, echoing the style used in fighting games of the time.

The idea was to give the game a realistic feel, blending the visual style of the Mortal Kombat series with the action and gadgets of the Batman universe. The use of digitized graphics was a significant choice, setting the game apart from many others in the beat ’em up genre, which more typically relied on hand-drawn sprites.

Development Challenges

The reliance on digitized graphics came with a series of challenges. One issue was how to implement the complex mechanics from Mortal Kombat, which the development team sought to replicate. While the film-based theme and special effects fit well with the Mortal Kombat-style graphics, the controls were much less fluid for a side-scrolling action game. The button combinations required for special moves were complex and unfamiliar to players of standard action and platform games.

Another challenge was the game’s level design. The developers wanted to create a nonlinear experience, so levels included hidden areas and required puzzle-solving elements, which could be confusing for players. For example, using Batman’s grappling hook to move between different parts of the level was often unintuitive, and many players struggled to figure out how to proceed through various stages.

Commercial Strategy and Release

To maximize the reach of the game, Acclaim released Batman Forever on several platforms. The versions across platforms were similar, though the handheld versions on the Game Boy and Game Gear were scaled-down versions of the console and PC games, offering a more limited experience due to hardware constraints.

Marketing for the game was aggressive, as Acclaim attempted to tie the game’s release to the momentum generated by the film. This included advertisements in comic books, television commercials, and cross-promotion with the movie’s merchandise.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, Batman Forever was met with mixed to negative reviews. The game’s digitized graphics were praised for their fidelity to the film’s visual style, but the gameplay received criticism. Many players and reviewers found the controls frustratingly complex, the combat slow and unresponsive, and the level design confusing. The game’s reliance on the Mortal Kombat engine was seen as a misstep, as it didn’t adapt well to a side-scrolling action game format.

Despite these issues, Batman Forever sold well initially due to the hype surrounding the movie, but it quickly faded from public attention due to its critical reception. Over time, the game became infamous for its shortcomings, often appearing on lists of disappointing or difficult-to-play licensed games. However, for those interested in the history of 1990s video games, Batman Forever remains an interesting case of movie-game adaptation and experimentation with then-cutting-edge technology.

Gameplay

Batman Forever is a side-scrolling beat ’em up game with elements of puzzle-solving, heavily influenced by the Mortal Kombat series in both its mechanics and visual style. Players can choose between Batman or Robin, with the option of single-player mode or two-player cooperative play. The goal is to progress through various levels, defeating enemies using a combination of punches, kicks, and Batman’s signature gadgets.

The game incorporates digitized actors as the characters, similar to Mortal Kombat, which gives it a realistic, albeit stiff, visual style. Combat is a core aspect of the gameplay, with moves that include standard attacks and special moves triggered by complex button combinations. These special moves include gadgets like the Batarang, grappling hook, and smoke bombs. Each character also has unique abilities. Batman, for example, has more advanced gadgets, while Robin uses different weapons.

While the game is primarily a beat ’em up, Batman Forever attempts to introduce puzzle elements and hidden areas. Players need to use items like the grappling hook to reach higher areas or discover hidden passages. However, these mechanics are often unintuitive, making progression difficult at times. The game also includes non-linear level design, with stages that require players to explore multiple floors or hidden rooms.

There are several bosses throughout the game, including well-known Batman villains like Two-Face and The Riddler, who serve as the final bosses. However, these battles were often criticized for their slow pace and the clunky mechanics that made controlling the characters cumbersome.

Reception

When Batman Forever was released in 1995, it received mixed to negative reviews across the various platforms it was released on, including Sega Genesis, SNES, Game Boy, and PC. Criticism focused heavily on the gameplay, controls, and level design, although the graphics were a point of contention as well.

Positive Aspects:

• Graphics and Presentation: The digitized graphics, similar to Mortal Kombat, were praised by some for their realism and fidelity to the movie. Players could recognize the actors’ movements and costumes, which contributed to a more immersive experience compared to other Batman games at the time.
• Character Design and Gadgets: The use of Batman’s gadgets, like the grappling hook and Batarang, was seen as a positive feature. It added some variety to the combat and allowed players to interact with the environment in unique ways.

Criticism:

• Controls: The biggest complaint was the overly complicated controls. Borrowing heavily from the Mortal Kombat engine, the game featured special moves that required intricate button combinations, which were difficult to execute consistently in the context of a beat ’em up. This made combat feel clunky and unresponsive, frustrating players who were expecting more fluid action.
• Combat Mechanics: The fighting system itself was considered slow and awkward. Instead of fast-paced, satisfying combat, the game had a sluggish pace that felt unresponsive. Enemies were often difficult to hit, and the repetitive nature of the attacks further detracted from the experience.
• Level Design: The game’s non-linear level design and puzzle-solving elements were also criticized. Many players found the levels confusing, as they often required using the grappling hook or other gadgets in ways that weren’t obvious. Without clear direction, it was easy to get stuck, which added to the frustration.
• Repetitive Gameplay: The lack of variety in enemy types and the repetitive nature of the combat contributed to a lackluster gameplay experience. Many players felt the game quickly became tedious, especially in comparison to other beat ’em ups available at the time.

Commercial Performance and Legacy:

Despite the critical reception, Batman Forever initially sold well due to its association with the blockbuster movie. However, once word spread about its gameplay issues, sales slowed down, and the game failed to achieve long-term commercial success. Over time, it has earned a reputation as one of the more disappointing Batman games, with many retrospective reviews highlighting its control and design flaws.

Batman Forever has since become something of a cult classic, often remembered more for its ambitious but flawed execution than for its gameplay. It is frequently cited as an example of a game that tried to innovate by merging film visuals with video game mechanics, but ultimately failed due to poor adaptation of those mechanics into the action-platformer genre.