Batman: Arkham Asylum is easily the best superhero game ever and will without doubt be a contender for Game of the Year.
Arkham Asylum is the famous home of all the criminals that Batman has had the misfortune to meet. Including favourites such as Killer Croc, Bane and Poison Ivy. The Joker is the next to check into the Asylum, as the opening cut-scene shows him hand-cuffed in the back of the Batmobile on the way to Arkham. However, this is part of the Joker's big plan to take over Arkham Asylum.
Not too long after arriving, Joker escapes and is on the loose. As soon as he does, you get your first taste of the game's amazing combat. It is extremely simple but effective. Pressing X will unleash Batman's ferocious fists on Joker's goons, while pressing Y will counter an opponent when a big 'I'm going to hit you' sign appears above their head. The combat itself if really fluid and has completely no glitches or bugs whatsoever. You see every punch and kick connect. As the game goes on, however, you encounter opponents with metal poles, electric poles and guns. This then encourages you to think like Batman and take them out without taking too much damage.
The game also includes set pieces of rooms that include a certain amount of armed guards, which you have to take out. What developer, Rocksteady, have done brilliantly is make Batman just as vulnerable to gunshots as the goons you take out. This increases the realism of the game because Batman just can't run in, soak up loads of bullets, and take out 6 armed enemies. Using a range of stealth moves, including a silent takedown can enable you to take out the guards with out taking damage. These set plays are fantastic and make you think of different ways to take opponents out, from hiding in grates, to tying them to gargoyles.
Helping you to use stealth is Batman's Detective mode, this allows you to spot enemies before they see you, see alternative entrances to rooms, and solving puzzles. Some puzzles you will want to solve are courtesy of the infamous Riddler. These include collecting Riddler Trophies and finding interview tapes, however, the most satisfying to solve are the riddles. These are hard to solve but very fun. They can be solved by entering detective mode and scanning a certain object, for example one Riddle is:
'Zsasz is counting on you to find this work'.
A quick grapple to a ledge and scanning a table containing three dead guards will solve this puzzle. Other riddles include, lining up a question mark with its dot, which can only be viewed in detective mode. Finding all 240 of The Riddler's artefacts is extremely fun and will keep you playing long after you've completed the story.
The game also includes challenge mode. These are both combat and time based. For example, you play certain parts of the story mode. However, in challenge mode you may have to do it in under 5 minutes, it adds an extra edge to the game, allows you to replay stunning moments of the story and keeps you playing.
The story that drives Arkham Asylum is fantastic and really sucks you in and takes you through fantastically designed places and face great boss battles against famous enemies of Batman. You also get to play with fantastic gadgets that are easy to use and really satisfying. For example, explosive gel that blows down walls and the Batclaw for pulling down any obstructions.
The game looks and sounds fantastic. Arkham Island looks beautifully well lit and has a brilliant attention to detail. The Voice acting is second to none with Mark Hamill providing a manic, but fantastic edge to the Joker while other roles like Batman and Harley Quinn and performed brilliantly.
The gameplay is just so refined and just a joy to play. From the combat to just simply grappling to a ledge is just smooth and believable. Rocksteady have done an amazing job in making you feel like you are really playing as Batman. Arkham Asylum is easily the best superhero game ever made and will be without doubt be a contender for Game of the Year.