Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu

If you do enjoy straightforward, no-nonsense action, Rise of Sin Tzu delivers it in an appealing package and is one of the best 3D beat-'em-up action games you'll find.

Only devout Batman fans and action gamers looking for a quick fix will find much appeal in Batman: Rise of the Sin Tzu.

An exercise in precision attacks that are done easily enough, that is if your hands don't cramp up from all the button pushing.

This game is strictly for action junkies and can be completed in a quick weekend rental. However, the quality of the graphics and gameplay hints at the potential for deeper, more compelling Batman games to come.

Those looking for a good old fashioned beat ‘em up, with a slightly new twist, would do well to check out this game.

While an acceptable game for all that it is, doesn’t match the greatness present in the SNES Batman adventure.

One of the biggest problems is that you've got all these moves, but none of them are more powerful than the basic combos. The only reason I used the advanced combos was because I couldn't stand watching the same animation performed thousands of times.

While a lot of good ideas went into Batman: ROTS, the execution turned Batman goodness into controller-throwing-near-DVD-in-the-microwave frustration.

The lack of quality elements and repetition doom Batman to mediocrity. [Dec 2003, p.72]

The more I played it, the less I enjoyed it. It's a rudimentary beat-'em-up game which borrows the combo compliments of "Devil May Cry" and the buy-a-combo system of "The Two Towers," and thinks those elements by themselves are enjoyable, which they're not.

Offers fantastic action in its quality and quantity, but repetitive design.

About as classy as a "KerPOW!" sound effect and sadly never elevates itself beyond basic Bat-Shtick.

While the audio and visual departments have been done in exemplary fashion, I just can’t let the game off the hook for its gameplay. No, it’s not nearly as bad as Kemco’s travesty, but there’s nothing compelling about it.

Sure, it might be tempting to focus on the game's weaknesses, such as its repetition or limited focus, but in the end it's hard to dislike such a well-made package.

Once all the moves are unlocked, this is a rather decent game. But since thye're not immediately available, the monotony will have you bailing before the second level. [Nov 2003, p.78]

Though the action is on the repetitive side, unique aspects help the game rise a notch above average. [Nov 2003, p.73]

An unforgiving difficulty level and harsh time limits severely undercut the fun... [and b]am-powing hordes of goons becomes achingly repetitive over time. [Nov 2003, p.172]

Lacks all the fundamentals that a game of this type so desperately needs. [Nov 2003, p.143]

By the end of the first level, the player will have encountered every type of objective that the game has to offer, aside from the afore-mentioned "guard the thing" scenario. This depressing formula repeats itself throughout the game, with the "levels" distinguishing themselves solely through window-dressing and increasingly difficult enemies.