A surprising game, that you can simply set down and enjoy for hours on end. And still want more after it's over.
Story
The story starts off with Batman bringing The Joker to Arkham Asylum, The Joker though has a very big surprise in stored for everyone when he get's there. Once inside Joker breaks free and escapes further inside, he then takes over the facility. Batman is quick in pursuit only to be stopped real fast, to find out Harley Quinn has taken over the security. Batman now finds himself not only having to find Joker, but has to deal with his henchmen to. Around every corner you find that Joker has something to slow you down, to ultimately give him more time for his plan. Batman soon finds out what this plan is and realizes that The Joker must be stopped, if he completes what he's trying to do Gotham City will be destroyed. You want be all alone through this, you'll mostly always be communicating with Oracle. Joker has more friends that you do though, you find yourself fighting Bane, Zsasz, Harley Quinn, and others.
Sound and Graphics
Sound is something very well done in the game, from you knocking someone out, to gliding to something. The voice acting is what stands out the most, and will get fans excited for, Kevin Conroy does the voice for Batman, and Mark Hamill as The Joker. Not only them but every other person in the game does a fantastic job. The graphics on the other hand look amazing, there not the best but look really good. The detail in things such as Batman's suit to how The Joker looks. In Arkham Asylum it's self looks run down in paces, mainly due to what the inmates are doing to it. You'll find blood on the floor and walls at places, and even graffiti written on the walls. Not to mention what happens a long the way, you'll be forced to destroy things as well.
Gameplay
This is what makes the game shine, it's a mix of fighting/stealth, you'll also have a nice selection of gadgets to help you deal with not only the enemies but the environment to. A long the way you'll be fighting Jokers henchmen who think they can take you down, some will fight with fist, other with knifes or stun rods. But not long after these guys break into the armory and find guns. Batman doesn't let this worry him, because he's a master when it comes to stealth. You should be worried either because you can turn on detective mode, which highlights people. And lets you know if there carrying nothing or a melee weapon and there blue, you will also find people highlighted red which are carrying guns. Detective mode is not only used for this purpose as you can find clues that are hidden to the naked eye. There will be times your forced to used it, but it's advised to use it a lot, especially since it lets you detect foes through walls. If anything it's makes the game a lot easier and give you a huge advantage to all who stand in your way.
Sometimes you can make a choice to either wall in and fight and some cases die very quickly if you don't watch out. Or you can use the environment, in this you'll find many different ways to get around, maybe through a vent which will get you to some very well hidden places. Are you can stay up high on gargoyle statues, in this time you'll pick off your foes one by one. And watch then get nervous, and eventually terrified, sometimes they'll randomly shoot there gun while there paranoid and looking around caution. Some of the gadgets you'll be able to use are the batarang, which is useful to knock people down so you can quickly move in and knock them out. The grappling gun, and explosive compound that you can detonate, are just a few things that will help you out a lot.
When your finished with the game, if your able to connect online you can play the Challenge Mode. Which will either have you fighting to try and get the highest score possible. Or sneaking around doing other things, these modes them self's want take long and don't add to much. But it will keep you busy for longer and enjoying the game. Although it is fun trying to keep getting your score higher each time you try it.
Overall
In the end Batman: Arkham Asylum is the best Batman game I have played and laid my eyes upon. You don't need to be a fan of Batman to enjoy the game, as only about an hour or less with it will prove that. This is the first Batman game out of them all that actually feels like your playing something as Batman. This is simply a game made by people that seemed to really put a lot of hard work into something fans of this superhero have wanted for a long time. I highly recommend that you rent this title and give it a try, you will not be disappointed.