Batman: Arkham Shadow VR review

• Available on Oculus Quest 3/3S
• Released on 22 October 2024
• Developed by Camouflaj

If you’ve ever wanted to truly feel like Batman, Arkham Shadow is the closest you’ll get. This VR-exclusive adventure lets you step directly into the Dark Knight’s boots, with immersive mechanics that make you see, move, and fight like Gotham’s most iconic hero. From the moment you put on your headset, there’s a sense of presence that’s hard to beat.

The game opens in a small, lived-in apartment that serves as an early showcase for just how detailed and tangible this world is. You can walk around, take in your surroundings, and feel completely present. But it’s when you first step outside that the real magic hits. Gotham is stunningly realised, with some of the most impressive visuals seen on the Meta Quest platform. While the experience is more linear than previous Arkham entries, the immersive environments and 360-degree exploration make it feel expansive.

Combat is where Arkham Shadow shines. It’s intuitive and responsive, capturing the feel of Arkham’s classic rhythm-based fighting system in first-person. You’ll punch, parry, and counter enemies with your own hands, and it all feels incredibly satisfying. Swinging your fists lands hits in-game, and quick reflexes let you deflect strikes or land combos. Enemies give subtle tells before attacking, and you can even counter threats behind you without needing to fully turn around.

Outside of fights, you’ll glide across rooftops, scale walls, and explore cleverly designed levels that make full use of VR’s potential. There are detective segments that let you scan for clues, puzzles to solve, and collectibles to find. You can play seated, but standing makes for a more immersive experience. It’s a well-rounded package that mixes action, exploration, and investigation seamlessly.

There is a downside, and it’s tied to the limitations of VR hardware. Motion sickness can be a problem, depending on your comfort level with VR. The developers have added several comfort options to ease this, like teleportation turns and screen vignettes. Still, not every player will respond the same way. For those sensitive to motion sickness, sessions might be brief, which is unfortunate given how compelling the game is.

Despite that, this is a game that VR enthusiasts should not miss. It’s a polished, story-driven experience that delivers the fantasy of being Batman better than any other title has managed. Whether you’re solving crimes or gliding through the city, the game constantly reinforces your role in this world.

Batman: Arkham Shadow offers around ten hours of action and storytelling, and every minute feels meaningful. It’s one of the most complete and ambitious VR games to date, and a major step forward for superhero games in virtual reality. If your stomach can handle it, this is one adventure that deserves your full attention.