This guide aims to show fans and newcomers of the game how to get the very best experience with Arkham Asylum.

• Navigate with the sections list on the right. All downloads are kept in the Downloads section.
  
• This guide is focused on the Steam version of the game, but all mods work with the EGS version.
  
• Locate the game's File Explorer location on your system. Steam users can do this by right-clicking the game in the Steam library: Select 'Properties' > 'Local Files' > 'Browse...'
  The game's directory will be revealed in File Explorer.

Upcoming Arkham Knight Gameplay Overhaul

https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3352062379

If interested in the Joker or Prey In The Darkness DLC, install it before installing anything else. Make sure the DLC runs properly before proceeding with texture pack installation.

AsylumHD by FCH823 should be installed before Asylum Reborn if users want to run all Asylum Reborn textures with full 4K support, as AsylumHD enables support for increased texture resolution across all texture groups.

Steam users can navigate to the game's install directory by right-clicking the game on Steam, selecting Properties > Local Files > Browse.

• Open TFC Installer and navigate to the game folder.
  
  
• Select "Mod Folder" and open "HD Texture Pack 2.0".
  
  
• Update Batman Arkham Asylum.
  
  
• Install the Advanced Launcher and enable "Texture Pack Support" in the settings. Users selecting the "UltraHD" option should install "AsylumHD by FCH823" or equivalent Texture Pack that covers all Texture Groups before installing Asylum Reborn HD Texture Pack. This will enable support for full 4K environment textures.
  
  
• Run the game.

• Optional alternate texture options such as different cape styles for Batman. After installing the HD Texture Pack, select any desired alternate texture options using TFC Installer.

• Open TFC Installer and navigate to the game folder.
  
  
• Select Uninstall.
  
  
• Set Texture Pack Support in the Advanced Launcher to "Disabled".
  
  

Designed by Neato[next.nexusmods.com]. Adds more launch options.
- HD Texture Pack support, improved graphical adjustments, FoV hotkeys, increase FPS cap etc.

Refer to the Downloads section for Batman Arkham Asylum - Advanced Launcher - download BmLauncher.zip in the downloads link of the page.

Tooltips will appear when hovering the cursor over any settings.

Extract BmLauncher.zip - BmLauncher.exe & NLog.dll should appear.

Go to the game directory: Right click the game on Steam, and select Properties > Local Files > Browse Local Files. This will open the game directory in File Explorer. Open the "Binaries" folder.



"BmLauncher.exe" is inside this folder - back it up if preferred. Transfer the downloaded files (BmLauncher.exe and NLog.dll) to this folder. Overwrite if prompted.

NLog.dll is used to help with troubleshooting any issues by creating a log document. - It's required for BmLauncher.exe to run.



The game can now be started directly from Steam, and will prompt the new launcher automatically.

Advanced BmLauncher - Source Code[github.com]
Advanced BmLauncher - Read Me[github.com]
Advanced BmLauncher - Report Issues[github.com]

The rest of the display settings are self-explanatory.

Use one of the preset options if overwhelmed by the number of settings. Tooltips appear when hovering over each setting.

The Advanced Launcher will automatically enable HUD & FoV toggling.


The rest of the main settings are self-explanatory.

Use Joker in challenge maps and unlock Prey In The Darkness challenges for Batman.

DLC should be installed before the HD Texture Pack.

Extract and copy the contents to the game directory: \Batman Arkham Asylum GOTY\
Overwrite when requested.

Run the Joker DLC Patcher to enable support for the DLC.

Test the DLC is installed correctly before proceeding with Texture Pack installation.

With the power of machine learning, pre-rendered cutscenes have been improved and elevated in quality. More info and download here:
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1976626676

Optional mod for players looking for a more difficult experience. Should be installed before Asylum Reborn. Check Knightfall Overhaul Readme if Asylum Reborn is already installed.

Reshade[reshade.me] is a post-processing injector developed by Crosire for use in almost any game. It allows users to write and add custom post-processing shaders to adjust a game's visuals.

The Reshade presets designed for this game are very carefully tuned to improve visuals. No over the top contrast-y or reflection heavy presets.

Anti-Aliasing and Ambient Occlusion must be disabled in the launcher if using Reshade presets beyond "Light Mode". Different Anti-Aliasing solution is included with Reshade. Disabling Depth Of Field is suggested if using LUTs. HBAO+ can be used in conjunction with Reshade.

Extract the Reshade presets file (from the Downloads section), and copy the contents to the "Binaries" folder (where the game is located)

Launch the game. Reshade is now installed and ready. Initial load may be slow. Do not update Reshade version or edit Reshade depth settings as it may break the presets or shader support.

NOTE: Hotkeys can be configured in the settings tab of the Reshade window.

Shaders can be individually toggled with the checkbox in the Reshade window. Presets names are at the top of the window (4 - Regular).

All comparisons are with DoF disabled, which removes the vanilla colour tints. Leave DoF enabled if preferred.

MultiLUT for colour grading:
The MultiLUT shader is used to rotate between multiple LUTs (Look Up Tables) - This is a colour reference chart used for professional colour grading. It's the definitive grading method in Reshade because it's light on performance. Adobe Premiere is the main software used when designing these LUTs.

Scroll through the presets using "Page Up" and "Page Down". MultiLUT/Colour Grading changes will have to be made on a per preset basis.

Presets are ordered by performance impact, from the lightest preset to the heaviest.

Advantages:
Rain
More shadows

Disadvantages:
Changes to art style
Limited to 1080p rendering (even on PS5 & Series X)
Still uses original 720p cutscenes in some cases to save budget
Some graphical bugs
Inconsistent frame rates

Advantages:
Much higher resolution
HBAO+
4k cutscenes
60fps and beyond
Physx
Updated textures sometimes higher in resolution
Console Commands
Any controller or K+M

Disadvantages:
Low quality distant island objects
No rain

* These are the minimum requirements that will let you enjoy this mod to its fullest extent.
The values we determined are very safe and you may still be able to run the mod without issues with lower specifications.

https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3546173523
http://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1188257825
Alien: Isolation Tweaker[www.nexusmods.com]
https://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2566111310
http://steamproxy.net/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1156086818

It may be possible to add rain with the help of UPK Explorer. We're done updaing Arkham Asylum and have no intention of returning to it.

Only Nvidia cards can enable HBAO+ since it's on the driver level. Enabling both AO solutions is possible, and some will want to as HBAO+ doesn't apply to characters.

If you've installed the Reshade presets, you can toggle Reshade's AO shaders with the "End" key. If you're using Launcher Anti-Aliasing, then stick to HBAO+, as the game's AA solution can interfere with Reshade's depth based shaders.

Troubleshooting:

Dark Cutscenes with Reshade:

This is a side effect of the MXAO shader. You can reduce the impact by lowering the MXAO ambient occlusion intensity (in the Reshade window) - or you can use Nvidia HBAO+ and disable MXAO.

Advanced Launcher:

"Unhandled Exception: NVAPI_ACCESS_DENIED" when using BmLauncher, how do I fix this?

This may come from a faulty driver install or outdated drivers for Nvidia cards. Update your drivers to the latest version.

Donate to GPUnity's Paypal[www.paypal.com]

GPUnity - Covered character textures and numerous others.
Neato[next.nexusmods.com] - Created the Advanced Launcher and processed 4k cutscenes which are featured in the Asylum Reborn trailer. Assisted with overall project.

DaviDuck - Testing the Texture Pack and sharing screenshots of findings.
FCH823[next.nexusmods.com] - Responsible for UPK Explorer which is used for the current version of Asylum Reborn.

Evergreen[www.nexusmods.com] - General assistance with some textures. Config experimenting and shared Unreal Engine 3 knowledge.
F4lc0[www.nexusmods.com] - General testing and feedback. Handled communications between servers and other modders.
Hecusoldier - Updated some environment textures such as dirt, clouds and skyline textures. Did a long play test of the HD Texture Pack. Check out their Assassins Creed Series Texture Packs!
VeryThickBoy - General testing and feedback. Created the tutorial video.
Wjavascript:ValidateEditSubSectionForm()astelander[www.nexusmods.com] - Engine researching and experimenting. Heavy testing and documenting findings.
Wasteland Ghost[www.nexusmods.com] - Created texture tools and made it possible to install HD textures directly to the game files. Check out their many amazing mods!

Thanks to MrJAG for their many useful findings and community support.

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Reshade Shader Developers: BlueSkyDefender, Jacob Maximilian Fober, Luluco250, Martins Upitis, Otis_Inf, Pascal Gilcher, PirateKitty & Prod80

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Additional:
Catspaw & Floobagop - for the Play As Joker mod (quote taken from forum) "Special thanks to catspaw for his outstanding modding work and to Floobagop for researching and documenting the Mac version of the game."
ChaotcelV3 - For noting compatibility with GOG version.
Crosire - Reshade lead developer

Thanks to the Arkham modding community and thanks to everyone for waiting patiently for this update!