Difficulty:

Just Right

Time Spent:

20 to 40 Hours

The Bottom Line:

"Instant classic"

I was excited for this game for all the hype about it. Yes I am a Batman fan, but seriously even non-Batman fans are bound to heavily enjoy this roller-coaster ride.
No game is perfect, including Arkham City, but it's a game that gets closest to perfection. The story is outstanding, emotional, exciting and not complicated like most other games. The opening of the game is thrilling while the ending is sensational. Action games rely heavily on gameplay but this game has an extremely compelling and clever story as well.
The gameplay, to be frank, is probably the most exciting and satisfying there has ever been. It's fast, it's smart, it's realistic (to some extent), it's rewarding and it's very VERY fun. Batman's gadgets are better than any gun or sword, and the uncompromising gameplay makes you use all of them when encountering foes. The combat is mind-blowing, especially when facing hordes of thugs, and as I said the game rewards you for dispatching your enemies as quickly and efficiently as possible while using your gadgets as well. When facing armed goons it's a totally different gravy though, as now you'll have to use stealth and perfect timing and use your brain too.
The main story is so good I wished it lasted for weeks, but unfortunately it doesn't last more than 14 hours and combined with 3 more hours of very interesting side-missions this game is 16-18 hours long, but thats too short for a game of such quality. The short length of the game was the only thing I was disappointed about, it was far from the '40 hours' Rocksteady had claimed. But boy oh boy they have created a game so satisfying and intriguing it's a crime to criticize them.
The graphics is of very high quality as well, especially on PC. Gotham's famous landmarks look and feel alive, and the dark atmosphere is excellently presented. The environment of the game world is sensational, portraying Batman's story spot on. I felt like the Dark Knight, and for a Batman fan, it can't get any better than this.
The character models are excellent as well. Now if I am going to praise the sound, I'll have to analyse it as a whole. The soundtrack is the best EVER I have heard in a game; its awe-inspiring really. The voice-acting for the main characters are very compelling, especially of Joker, but the voice-acting for normal thugs, guards, and cops were mediocre I think, using no more than 3 different people to voice them, and pretty conventional comments aswell.
As a whole Batman Arkham City was a game I'll never forget. It was a game with very few flaws, and I never had so much fun playing any other game. I'll recommend this game to everybody, you will not regret playing it. It's fun. exciting, thrilling, satisfying and most importantly you'll feel like Batman.
To sum it up for you:
Story: 10/10
Every part of the main story felt it was there for purpose, it didn't feel like it was added for completeness. It is a thriller and intriguing from start to finish with many twists, and most importantly it wasn't difficult to follow or predictable. The ending was shockingly great.
Gameplay: 10/10
The gameplay is one of the, if not the, best ever, AND I mean it! You feel like the Bat. The combat, whether it's a brawl or against armed thugs is a blast, requiring intelligence and perfect timing, and once you pull it off it's very satisfying. Grappling and gliding through a stunning game world just makes this game better. The Catwoman content was epic too, with a distinct gameplay for her as well.
Graphics: 9.5/10
On PC this game looks like a charm, and is easily one of most beautiful games of 2011. Batman's outfit is a joy to watch as it moves with the wind, and snowflakes fall on his cape. The game world is beautifully presented.
Sound: 9/10
As I said the sound track is awesome, the voice acting is terrific for the main characters, but it could have been better for common people in the game, and this prevents it from getting a 10.
Replay value: 10/10
I have played this game twice, and the second time felt even better than the first, and I still want to play more, anything more to say? And packed with more content in the form of challenge maps will keep you intrested for 2-3 more hours.

Total: 10/10
This game deserves to be GOTY.