If you think your Arkham City anticipation has peaked, there’s a new official trailer that’s been dropped by Rocksteady studios. A bulkier, top-heavy Mr. Freeze is bringing a big chill to Gotham City.
Voiced by Maruice LaMarche, known from animated favorites such as Duke Nukem from Captain Planet and the Planeteers, Kif from Futurama and Brain from Pinky and the Brain; this moody, digitally animated Freeze banishes any lingering camp from Arnold Schwarzenegger’s portrayal of the cold-hearted villain.
Freeze has always been one of Batman’s more tragic villains, and the opening line: “Have you ever seen a flower die,” signals a depth in character that won’t betray the dark knight’s rich mythology. Rocksteady captures Dr. Victor Fries succinctly in the trailer as the villain attempts to force Batman into the service of his obsession to his frozen wife Nora.
The new peek confirms Mr. Freeze’s role as a significant challenge to Batman in the 25-hour long story, and not simply fan-pleasing appearance fodder. The battle against Freeze presents an ice-clad level, showing off the villain’s heavy cryo-gun hardware and some sensors that seem to counter Batman’s ninja stealth. Batman will always come up against a force-field and possibly Victor’s inhuman strength.
Freeze is added to an enormous pile of villains from Batman’s Rogue gallery—Arkham City promises to be a long and intimidating gauntlet. We’ve already seen a cockney Penguin, the Riddler, Solomon Grundy, the Catman, what else could Rocksteady have lurking for us to preview in the near future?
Don’t forget that Batman: Arkham City will be released for PC, PS3 and the Xbox on October 18. That’s almost two months. Check out the trailer below and whet your appetite.
