Difficulty:

Easy

Time Spent:

10 to 20 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Innovative"

Do not make any mistake! This is a great game. This is an action-adventure stealth video game played from an over-the-shoulder third-person perspective. I have so many good things to say about this game and only a couple complaints, so here we go.
The story of the game is great. The characters were built very well, although I can't really say they were "built" because they are 100% based on the characters from the classic Batman lore. And we have all been longing for that great Batman game based strictly on the comic books and not some modern invention of a crazed fan. I guess you guys already figured out why the story is bad ass, because it is strictly based on the classic Batman lore! The voice acting was phenomenal, but we couldn't have expected anything else from Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill, the people who voiced Batman and the Joker in the classic Batman: The Animated Series. Another person who reprises her role from the TV Series is Arleen Sorkin as Harley Quinn.
Just to say a few words about the story of the game, the Joker is trying to create an army of creatures using a strange chemical called Titan in order to take control of Gotham. This chemical is based on the Venom drug that gives Bane his super strength. But the Titan formula is a lot more stronger than the basic drug used by Bane. Batman cannot allow this and is forced to put a stop to to the Joker's plans.
When you finish the story, you have only completed the game in a proportion of around 65%. This is because while you are playing, you can find secrets hidden by the Riddler, patient tapes, unlock challenge levels, character bios and detailed character trophies. The game will be at 100% only when you have collected all of these things scattered across the asylum.
The graphics are fantastic and they make you feel like you are actually there alongside Batman, fighting the Joker's henchmen.
The game play is great and it makes you wanna play more. The melee combat is loosely based on 3 buttons:attack, stun and counter. But as you level up you can get certain abilities, including melee combos so you don't get bored while fighting. Although, I personally wouldn't get bored even if had just spammed those 3 buttons. But if you think this is all the combat tactic in this game, you are mistaken. As you can see, I told you this is a stealth video game. That is because you can use Batman's gadgets to climb gargoyles and take your enemy by surprise, you can glide using your cape and attack them when they least expect it and the list can continue. To a certain extent you can call yourself a "silent assassin", but in this game you don't kill anyone, you just knock them unconscious. But believe me, it does not spoil the fun. The main difference between this game and other stealth games is that if you know the tricks, and there aren't many, it is a lot easier to surprise your enemy than beat the living crap out of him. I just mentioned Batman's gadgets. Well he has a variety of tools that you can use in your exploration of the game but in combat also, like the batarang or the Bat-Claw. As I also mentioned earlier, when you level up you also have the ability to upgrade your tools, or to actually get new ones, like the sonic batarang.
In the future, if anyone asks me "What is a cool action-adventure game?", I will undoubtedly mention Batman: Arkham Asylum. This game is in my top 3 of it's genre.
Now, I wouldn't call the things I am about to say complaints, not even characteristics I disliked, just some things that could have been improved. First of all, something that could've been improved a lot, were the boss fights. Not only that they are similar, but 60% of them are practically identical! I mean Rocksteady Studios could've been more inventive, considering the fact that all of the characters were based on the lore. They could have digged deeper in order to make the fights more attractive. Now, there was another thing I considered to be a drawback, and that was the dialogue. I am not referring to the whole dialogue, just a minor flaw. I thought they made Batman a little bit too of a show off. I mean there are some moments in the game when you save some people, and they ask you if you are OK, and your response is:"Don't worry, I eat punks like these for breakfast.". Now, really? I know it's Batman but I thought it was a little exaggerated.
All in all, the game has only 2 flaws, but mixed with all of it's positive aspects makes it a wonderful gaming experience, and I truly believe, one of the best of 2009.