Batman: Arkham Asylum sets dubious world record

Batman: Arkham Asylum has reportedly been awarded a Guinness World Record, but not for anything that’s actually relevant. Instead, Guinness has named it the “Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever.” Sorry? That counts as a record nowadays? Even the Riddler may struggle with that one.

Nobody can doubt that Arkham Asylum has been spectacularly received by critics; indeed, it was the title’s Metacritic score of 91% that bagged it this very specific accolade. It’s just a bit too specific, though. I smell shenanigans.

More precisely, I smell a marketing stunt from Eidos, which has already basically admitted that it asks outlets for favorable review scores. “Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Game Ever” is a quite ridiculous “record” (and nor is it an impressive one, for the superhero genre isn’t overflowing with quality releases, with Superman 64 the hilarious low point).

Besides, Viewtiful Joe (which I’d count as a superhero game, starring as it does a superhero) has 93% on Metacritic. What a load of crapola.

[Via Destructoid]