Arkham Asylum: The Nature of Insanity

Batman Arkham Asylum is 10 years old this year! Let's celebrate by talking about the game's themes of insanity and emotion versus reason! Trust me, it's more exciting than it sounds.
Please make sure to like, comment, and subscribe if you want to see me ramble about other things.
Twitter: / streetofstories
Footage Used:
"Batman: Return to Arkham - Arkham Asylum Walkthrough (PS4)": • Batman: Return to Arkh...
"Batman: Arkham Asylum Remastered All Boss Battles (Return to Arkham) 1080p HD": • Batman: Arkham Asylum ...
""Batman: Arkham Asylum'", all Character Bios (HD quality)": • "Batman: Arkham Asylum...

[@The_Story_Of_Us]

I was thinking about it for a while, but it made perfect sense when you remarked on Batman as a sort of pillar of rationality. You’ll notice that the whole plot is about him solving a mystery, making sense of events, creating an antidote to the Titan formula (almost a bit on the nose) and then refusing to fight Joker as a Titan himself. Rationality is the central aspect of his character in this game and when Scarecrow attacks, the nightmares are marked with this breakdown of rationality and reason, you walk through a door to find yourself in the same room you came from, you revisit a short hallway to find it unending, the whole start of the game is inverted with all the villains running the asylum as the staff are locked up and you’re being taken in (the game amusingly tells you to use the non-existent middle stick on your controller to dodge gunfire). And you break out of these nightmares by following a predictable pattern of cause and effect, making your way to Bat-signal strobe lights to defeat Scarecrow. What makes Batman a solid protagonist in this game is similar to what makes Captain America compelling in the MCU, his admirable values stand firm in a world that’s doing its damndest to break them down. His antithesis, Joker, has abandoned himself so completely to the opposite that he’s convinced Batman’s unflinching persona is a facade, it can’t be real and he can’t believe anything else, because doing so would mean accepting Batman isn’t like him, that he’s totally alone. When Batman resists the change into Titanhood, Joker is actually enraged, he even seems to attempt suicide when he believes his pursuit to expose Batman’s supposed true nature is futile. I get annoyed when in later games people are upset that the Joker stay so prominently in the game, but they’re missing the point, everyone else is a side character. The Arkham series IS Batman and Joker’s story. The exploration of their dynamic is the best part about its narrative.

[@Spongebrain97]

I like that bit where he compared Batman to the character Prometheus with how Prometheus is insane and has a desire to specifically kill cops while Batman due to his morality and rationality chooses not to kill criminals. He consciously makes the decision not to kill like they do. THIS is why Batman doesnt kill and why its such an important part of his character but some people like Zack Snyder dont care because they dont really understand the character

[@trevorphilips9065]

@@Spongebrain97 Every live action Batman has killed get used to it

[@Laura-ck2hh]

I had to watch this video twice because the first time I got so absorbed by your voice I barely assimilated anything you said...

[@LoneSilverBullet]

Alright that does it, you just earned a new subscriber.

[@clown-cult96]

I’ve always said that Batman is just as crazy as the Joker, he’s just on the end of the spectrum.

[@zalybrainlessgenius503]

"Imagine you're a child that doesn't know how to play videogames" Okay, video instantly sold

[@rottensquid]

When this came out, I hadn't played videogames in 10 years, and I might as well have been a complete novice. This game was a perfect reintroduction. The way it introduces each game play element, from basic fighting to basic stealth to your first brawls and stealth rooms, to the simplest mysteries, until you learn to analyze rooms to find them. I never felt like I was playing a tutorial, but I learned the game one piece at a time, until I could master any challenge.

[@Dogs4Life01]

Good stuff dude! I turned 10 when the game released and am turning 20 now🤣

[@StoryStreet]

This game is so inseparable from my childhood. While I think City is the better game overall, Arkham Asylum will always be a special game for me. Thanks for watching!

[@Dogs4Life01]

@@StoryStreet No prob dude it was a pleasure!

[@Jonathan-A.C.]

Lol same, except a year younger

[@shaferhilke225]

I was 7 when asylum came out

[@tristonperry2378]

Me too!

[@carrieanderson132]

Man, I feel old because this came out when I was a freshmen in college

[@gtmo55mack20]

Damm you old

[@Gogoroth2]

Same

[@themaccave08]

I remember when I played that game at like, 8 years old. My dad got it for me for Christmas. This was years after the game released. I was excited when I booted it up but as I progressed, I got so scared to even try to continue after seeing the most scary thing in the damn game, the LUNATICS! Jesus Christ! If I heard those nearby, I pause, go to Xbox home, and play LEGO Batman 2. No joke, the game is still that scary.

[@trevorphilips9065]

If I may ask how long has it been since you had it

[@themaccave08]

About 5 years. I got to complete it but it’s still unsettling.

[@tyleroutland1248]

Arkham asylum my 3rd favorite Arkham game and my second favorite game in rocksteadys franchise

[@Tyler_W]

I didn't play this game until late 2010, early 2011 when I saw early promotions for Arkham City. I thought City looked cool and figured I'd rent Arkham Asylum to get my read on the series. I played and beat it within a weekend. My thoughts about an hour into the game was "how did I sleep on this game, and why did I skip this for Marvel: Ultimate Alliance 2?!" (To be fair, it's a pretty solid game, but Batman was way better) I love Batman and his comics, movies and shows, but my first thought was that I didn't want to waste my time on what was probably going to be a bad game. I loved it instantly, and my love was that much stronger when I realized the voices of Batman, Joker and Harley Quinn from my childhood watching the DCAU shows. I love every Arkhak game, but there was just something about the Asylum that ranks among the best environmentally atmospheric game worlds alongside Bioshock's Rapture and Bioshock Infinite's Columbia in my book. The themes made me appreciate it even more when I played it more as I got older and was better mentally equipped to appreciate them. One thing Arkham Asylum does that the sequels tragically remove is the comic book art in the character bios and that interesting and artistic menu design. I also appreciated that thry were willing to embrace the comic book aesthetic instead of trying to make it as grounded and non-fantastical like the Nolan Batman trilogy at the time. The art design for the following games were excellent too, but they weren't quite as gothic and surreal as Asylum. It's fir that reason it definitely has the best art direction of the series. It really felt like a mature story arc I could imagine seeing in Batman: The Animated Series (naturally, since Paul Dini was the writer after all).

[@jamesboulton3734]

3:39 just sounds like the guy from the OG Spider-Man games who gives you instructions on how to play

[@Xehanort10]

5:01 Joker injecting himself with Titan was part of his plan though. He intended to drive Batman completely insane from both putting him through what he did in the Asylum and a combination of Scarecrow's fear gas and Titan to turn Batman into the monster Joker believes Batman is deep down then the monstrous Batman and Joker would have a fight to the death. But since Bruce injected himself with the antidote Joker decided to settle for killing him and leading a monster army made out of his henchmen to destroy Gotham.

[@michellechen8461]

New viewer to your videos, brought in by ATLA video essay. Arkham series is one of my favorite franchises as well. You got yourself a new sub. Keep up the great work!

[@KINGTAZER117]

Very good video essay and very interesting. Looking forward to your next vid.

[@StoryStreet]

Thank you for the comment! The next video is on the way!

[@bmcrossland]

Nice video, your love of the game really shines through.

[@StoryStreet]

Thanks for the comment! I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@minibricks7777]

Excellent video!!!!

[@Deadforge]

I love this video good work

[@rythemchaudhari5717]

Really dude I can't believe your channel isn't popular your video essays are great you earned a new subscriber and I'm gonna share your video.

[@StoryStreet]

Thank you! Glad to hear you like them!

[@rythemchaudhari5717]

I too want to become a video essayist like you

[@StoryStreet]

@@rythemchaudhari5717 Well then, go for it! If you're capable of it, I think it'd be great to get another voice out there!

[@carlosjavier771]

@@StoryStreet you deserve more subs

[@lorekeeper2611]

God your channel is so underrated

[@alexostlerart8349]

That's literally how I played Arkham Asylum. I rented it from Blockbuster lol

[@williammackenzie-neville8526]

the Arkham games are the best batman games out there. (just saying because I like them) also I like your vids.

[@danielsleeper2307]

28 years ago today this beauty of a show, a Batman telling, a piece of art debuted and changing everything forever.

[@garrethobbs8737]

I had A very similar experience when playing this game

[@lppstudios3006]

5:28 did Batman just kill that guy oof r.i.p joker thug

[@internettraveler8666]

Prometheus was in arrow season 5

[@gentlemantwerp]

“You’re a dumb child how’s the worst at videogames.” So basically me.

[@T2G-DJT]

Prometheus took ACAB too far lol

[@drivennomad4741]

We all acab now since 2020

[@chrisberg7862]

Can we also just talk about the fact that Batman straight up resisted a chemical reaction in his body for like a solid minute?

[@sonicboi9187]

What's wrong with Spider-Man 2? I actually thought it was pretty good.

[@HxH2011DRA]

He was saying it was good

[@PK-MegaLolCaT]

so is batman supressing his emotion through the whole games?

[@sunsetman22]

I've said it many times before, and I'll say it again: Batman Arkham Asylum is drenched in *ink* the remaster and the subsequent games (except perhaps Arkham Knight) kinda lost that aesthetic in my opinion.

[@rottensquid]

Interesting take. I think there's more to sanity than rationality, as rationality presumes human beings have access to objectivity that we just don't. We can only hope that our choices are rational ones, and the more sure we are, the less objective we become. The truth is, we can rationalize anything, depending on what we believe to be the highest good. The Third Reich is a perfect example of where rationalizing can get you. Your pal Prometheus has a perfectly rational point of view. From his perspective, the police have no moral authority, as he has no allegiance to the society whose rules they enforce. So rationality is not necessarily the opposite of insanity. In fact, it can be just as insane. That said, I think your analysis is really insightful. Batman is such an endlessly interesting superhero because he contains so many paradoxes. One of them is sane insanity. Obviously, he is as mad as the rest of Arkham, and he knows it. The descent into the asylum is a descent into his own darkness, where he confronts everything about himself he fears most. Scarecrow shows him his own insanity. Joker shows his temptation to become a monster. Ivy shows him how his very existence is against nature. Each boss represents an aspect of Batman's insanity that he fights, just as you pointed out so well. But is it rationality that he uses to fight insanity? Not entirely. I'd rather say that he fights insanity with humanity, though I admit that term is vague. Humanity contains human failings too, perhaps. But In the game's finale, the Joker wants to reveal Batman's inhumanity, to show the world that deep down, Batman is a monster, driven by rage, choosing strength and savagery over humanity. When Batman resists the titan formula, Joker ups the stakes by injecting himself. How can human Batman beat Titan Joker? Surely, only Titan Batman can do that. Joker wanted two monsters fighting a meaningless battle for all the world to see. So ultimately, when Batman cures himself of the Titan formula, he's choosing not rationality, but humanity. He could definitely beat Titan Joker as a Titan, but then, Joker would have been the real winner. He doesn't know if he can beat Titan Joker as a man. But that's the point of Batman, not to ensure victory, but to hang onto the one thing that makes victory meaningful. And that thing, for lack of a better term, is humanity. Rationality isn't all of it. In fact, choosing to be Batman never struck me as a rational choice. Batman's one rule isn't a rational choice. It's a humane choice. And that's why so many people question it, and it's omitted from some interpretations of the character. Choosing humanity over rationality isn't always the right decision. But to me, if that's Batman's greatest flaw, it's also the one thing that allows him to keep his sole, and his sanity. And that's the paradox that makes him such a great character.

[@jackuval9362]

dude, this writing is soo tacky

[@nathanmarmaduke3270]

Your tacky, OOOOOOOOOOO

[@alio6051]

What do you mean by tacky?

[@jackuval9362]

@@alio6051 it feels like an essay, and I know it technically *is* a video essay, but it shouldn't *feel* like one

[@trevorphilips9065]

@@jackuval9362 You never made any sense remember