The answer to your only real question is yes, Harley Quinn Revenge is absolutely worth every penny of the 9.99 price tag. And here’s what you’ll get: a tension-filled, mission-driven story with around 2 hours of gameplay, multiple replay value, some tantalizing possibilities for a third installment, and the chance to turn assassins into masses of abused flesh at Robin’s hands. .
The story puts you a few weeks after the last events in Arkham City, not as Batman but as Boy. Admirable. This was a new experience for me as I never got the Robin Challenge DLC. Robin’s emotional signature isn’t as robust as her mentor’s, but the experience is just as unique and satisfying as playing Catwoman or Nightwing. Robin’s signature distinction is reports of concussions and internal organs being ruptured by his collapsible metal staff. With Robin’s staff, he pulls off my silence on any characters and a dashing run (where you stun your target and go to town like Drago on Creed) sent me to the hospital. Always wince when Batman snaps a leg off the barbarian to finish, or imitate that last punch to the kidneys? Hearing a staff of skulls being rocked with heavy ca-thunks is an experience in and of itself.
The story of Harley’s revenge is compelling and offers a well-crafted tension. The writing is excellent up until the middle of Joe’s Count who, as always, has tons of things to BS about when he has to pull the guards and watch Batman. Hearing a single drinker trying to hit on a grieving Harley is such a candid moment. But besides the stellar play games and story, this mission also offers a little preview of the next game. This mission is obscure and literally means. The new shadow areas are darker. A weeping Harley wears a mask over her black streaked face. The floor in the clown’s office with pregnancy tests literature. Music is brooding and omnipresent. And Batman? Batman hanging by a thread. He is cold in his mouth and speaks with great desperation in his voice. Many times the question is “Is it good?” But no one has an answer. Azrael told him that he was burning. Will we see Batman come to life? By going through this DLC with Batman’s foot in the name of some barbarian face, I felt like I was.
There is no single reason not to get this DLC. The package is as perfect, as polished, and as fun as anything else you’ve played in this franchise. This DLC will also invite you to find one of the latest Riddler trophies or get those few medals in the challenge modes that you forgot to get. Or in my case, pay another 5 dollars so I can play the Batman Ultra suit.
