Hands on with Gotham City Impostors

Last week, Austin and myself had the pleaure of putting a number of hours into Gotham city Impostors, a game scheduled for release in 2012 on PSN and XBLA. Being developed by Monolith Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive, Gotham City Impostors is a FPS, multiplayer only, team fortess-esque Batman game. From what I’ve played so far, I’m excited to spend my money on the full version.

Three modes and two maps were provided along with five default classes. The “Initiation” which was a tutorial, in which you meet some impostors and are given a wherehouse in which to train. Second, there was “Psych Warfare.” which is essentially a CTF mode. In Pysch Warfare, both sides, Bats and Jokerz, are provided with a device capable of brain-washing the other team. One battery is on the map at a time, you and your team will need to work together to retrieve the battery and take it back to your device. Once the battery is placed in the device the other team has 30 seconds to dismount the battery or face brain-washing. When the device is activated the team being brain-washed loses the ability to use weapons and you’ll stumble about as voices tell you” You Suck,” “Give up,” amongst other morality boosting phrases. Though all is not lost once you’ve been brain-washed, you can still slap your opponent. One slap = one kill.

Next was my favorite, Fumigation. A “domination” mode or for you WoW players, Arathi Basin. Although, points aren’t awarded in Fumigation, a percentage is. Three gas machines are present on the map, stand near one long enough to capture it. Once captured the machine starts to pump out a gas. Once 100% of your team’s gas fills the area, it’s game over. When the green gas from the Batz fill the area, bats fill the area and attack in a “Birds” like manner. After the Jokerz red gas fills the area, the Bats choke to death right where they stand.

The customization given the players is astonishing.  Your weapons range form the automatic “Jackahmmer” to sniper rifles, sub-machine guns, sling shots and everything in between. Your gadgets and support items can be the moral inducing megaphone (heals other team members), target painters, grappling hook and even a jack-in-the-box that acts as a land mine. Even your avatars mental state and body size can be changed giving them added bonus. With each win you’re awarded exp. points and coins. The coins are used to buy new clothes, cowls, face paints and more. The ability to unlock everything from weapons to cosmetic items is provided by leveling up and completing challenges. If you want an item you don’t have an unlock for you can also spend MS points or cash on PSN to straight buy your selected item.

Amusement Mile and Crime Alley are the two maps we had the pleasure of playing on. Amusement Mile being a section of an amusment park with bridges, underground passages, and ride entrances. Crime Alley was a non-discript section of a city where alleys and shops abound. With cars and school buses left in the road for you to take cover.

Gotham City Impostors uses your standard FPS controls were all used to, right stick in to run, “A” and “X” to run and so forth. Moving from weapon to weapon, gadget to weapon and so on, were a breeze. As silly as this game is, it takes itself very seriously as a FPS and seeks to provide you with a top notch experience.

My time with Gotham City Impostors was incredible. With some many games to play and so many things to get done during the holiday season, all were being put off while I had my chance to play this game. I’m not big into multiplayer FPS, but this game had me hooked. I’m very excited to get another chance with this game in 2012.