After a huge success last year with The Dark Knight, Batman returns once again to save Gotham through a video game this time. When first announced, one
question was in my head: will it be as epic as the last movie or suck like every other superhero game ?

The Story
The game begins showing you driving Joker who had mysteriously surrendered to the most secure prison in Gotham : Arkham Asylum. Joker had it all planed and Batman knows that, so once inside the villain took control of everything of course with the help of Harley Quinn. The adventure starts here, you job is to stop these two villains. Later through the game other supervillain appears such as Scarescrow and Poison Ivy. So like always Batman story is very solid and interesting, Joker really turned the prison into a MADHOUSE !
The story is majorly told by the voice of your enemies talking to you as you advance, not to forget the existence of some cut-scenes before major events.

The Presentation
The world you play in is dark an spooky at some point, plants will be everywhere when Ivy appears and this is just right. This is batman sure there will be darkness. And the scarescrow levels are insanely good ! moving the game into a 2D platformer.
So good job when it comes to the level design.
The sound acting is awesome: thought all the game all you can hear is the Joker and the Riddler getting mad at you or making fun of you, Haley Quinn Really sound like a lunatic and this is funny, Poison Ivy will scream at you each time you kill a plant, ....
Graphics is awesome too : nice lighting, very sharp and no graphics bugs for the first time in a game ! And I also liked Batman's Damage details, made the game more realistic.
PC guys will benefit from an exclusive PhysX support that does make the animations even more realistic. I have been told that it is awesome.
Have a look at the Comparision: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luSAnouAFJs&feature=player_embedded

Gameplay
So far the game seems perfect but still no one will play it without a good gameplay. This is not a problem here as developers knew how to make players want playing this game.
There are two major gameplay modes;
- Fighting :
This is like the funniest thing in the game : taking down inmates ! The system in very easy to learn; all you have to do it tap X to attack, Y to counter and sometimes B is a must. Despite have such an easy system, you will notice that it is very hard to master; you need to time everything and know what is happening around you very well; who is getting a gun, who is attacking, when to take down, ..... . Practice and you will be able to build up some enormous good looking well variously animated combos ! (my personal best was a 30X combo)
- Stealth :
Each time you enter a room there are armed inmate you need to take them down without letting them seeing you. To do so you need to use all your gadgets (graple, baterang, batclaw) the environment (breakable walls, hidden passages, gargoyles). Practice it and you will get very creative with it.
What i liked in this mode too is the enemy AI: even if you repeat the same place over and over, each time will feel different ! Not to forget your X-ray vision that allows you to plan your attacks and unveil secrets.

The only critics about the gameplay of this game is that some will find it repetitive, but sure it is not boring. You will enjoy repeating the same thing all over again.
This Video taken form the DLC will resume what the gameplay is all about: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2toanRXjfm0&feature=player_embedded

Other than that, riddles will take alot of your time if you like. Some are insanely well hidden and some are just easy! But for sure you will have fun solving all 240 if you want to unlock everything: characters bios, trophies and challenges.
Also each time you fight, solve a riddle or do anything points will be awarded to you. You will use them to unlock new abilities and gadgets.

So playing the game will feel like a mixture of Tomb Raider, Devil May Cry and Splinter Cell at some point !

Longevity
The game will take 12 to 14 hours if you solve all the 240 riddles, about 8 hours for the main campaign.
To bad you don't feel like you want to replay it again, but there is the challenge mode that will keep you busy for more than 10 hours !

Verdict
Every gamer must get and beat the game ! it is the best superhero video game ever.
it deserve a good 9.5/10 score.
Review by GN90

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