Better than it's procedure?
The game play is magnificent, it's very similar to Arkham Asylum with a few added moves and gadgets at Batman's disposal. It's fun and while it can be overwhelming at times after the first hour you will be fighting off the villains of Arkham like a pro. Even the Catwoman missions are fun, while they are shorter and to an extent easier they still provide a fun distraction for the player.
Secondly the graphics are some of the best I have ever seen the environment is huge and detailed and personally the Unreal 3 engine has never looked so good, possibly better than Gears of War 3. While not every building is enterable, the ones you can go in are so detailed it's a sight for sore eyes.
Music is beautifully done and each part of the campaign is executed with the 'ideal' sound to suit the situation. The music that plays towards your final confrontations are similar to 'Far Away' by Jose Gondalize in Red Dead Redemption which makes you feel like a badass as you fly/ ride across the open world.
One thing I did wonder as I played this is was it better than it's procedure, Arkham Asylum. I personally don't think so, I didn't believe it gave the same atmosphere. When originally playing Asylum I felt a sense of fear when the Joker took over the prison whereas no villain in the campaign gave me the 'chills' , (except Mr.Freeze). All the bosses were incredibly easy and did not provide a challenge in which was the same problem with the original and in this department Rocksteady did learn from their past mistakes.
Arkham City is a brilliant game in it's own right. You do not have to like Batman to enjoy this game, it is a work of genius. While the game does have some bland and questionable moments towards the end it is the best game I have played all year. If you buy this game and have played the original you will not be disappointed.
Batman out.