'Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009)' is one of the most influential video-games of all time, even if its own inspirations are equally evident. It's arguably the first great superhero game, one that treats its source material totally seriously and delivers a rock-solid story alongside its fun gameplay. The mechanics of the title are practically synonymous with the third-person action genre now, yet they really are revolutionary. The game's familiar mix of combat, puzzles, exploration and stealth is handled remarkably well, each element feeling cohesive and hand-crafted for the caped crusader himself. The rhythm-based combat is snappy, satisfying and suitably violent. It's remarkably deep, with a number of unlockable skills and advanced moves, and the enemy design is varied enough to keep things interesting, especially when several types are tossed at you together and you have to strategically work your way across the battlefield. The combo system isn't just for show or, even, style; it distinctly changes how you play because several abilities are contingent on it, ensuring you feel rewarded when you achieve a high level of play. Even though he can take on tens of foes at once, Batman isn't a tank. When bullets come his way, he has to hide. This is where the game's predator segments come into the fray. These sequences have you sneaking around the asylum and taking out guards as you see fit, every gadget in your arsenal uniquely equipped to deal with a given scenario. If you're spotted, you'll have to retreat to a vantage point with your grappling hook; you can't withstand much damage. The AI is incredibly effective at conveying the fear you expect from someone stalked by the Dark Knight, with enemies erratically slipping from calm to agitated depending on what they see. These segments are highly engaging and provide a great counterbalance to the thing's otherwise more overt combat. Other than taking out bad guys, you're also tasked with doing some detective work. With your X-ray 'detective vision', you can track subjects and even recreate what may have happened based on evidence you find. For the most part, this stuff is fairly simple but it's really satisfying. It tends to progress the story in a very natural way and makes you feel like an active participant in the narrative. That narrative is fantastic, too. It makes excellent use of its source material, bringing its dingy version of Arkham Asylum to life with striking detail. It also offers up a sizeable, fan-pleasing rogue's gallery of villains to face-off against. From the intimidating Bane to the psychotic Harley Quinn, each baddie is as distinct and compelling as the last. The main attraction is, of course, the Joker. Here, he is simply phenomenal, bolstered by a brilliant performance from Mark Hamill. He walks the line between cruel and crazy, as jovial as he is murderous, and it's great to see. He's a suitable adversary for the imposing and stoic Batman, voiced just as well by Kevin Conroy. Everything just comes together to create a completely cohesive world filled with colourful characters and gripping gameplay. It's great. Plus, there's a whole set of side content which sees you solving the Riddler's puzzles. These mostly optional quandaries consist of either a physical test - in which you must use your gadgets to obtain a small trophy - or a mental one - which have you photograph parts of the asylum that act as answers to more traditional, typically lore-based riddles. The side stuff also includes a set of challenges based around the combat and predator encounters found in-game, which are instantly enjoyable and infinitely replayable. Chasing the high-score on these might steal more of your time than you expect, rounding out the overall package and marking it as one that's a must-play for... well, anyone, really. It's absolutely fantastic and is, still to this day, one of the best games of its generation. 10/10
Review of Batman: Arkham Asylum
