The Dark Knight Returns.

Sadly no game can be perfect and Batman: Arkham Asylum does have its flaws. The game takes awhile to get going, while the long walk that opens the game sets the tone, mood and sets up events later in the game it really doesn’t stand up to multiple playthroughs. The Detective Mode is far to powerful, (which thankfully is being addressed in the sequel) it is such a useful tool for the player to use that it is hard to give a reason to the player turn it off. Also the Riddler Challenges, while many are well thought out puzzles and riddles that have you scratching your head to solve, most are sadly simple variations on collecting items from the trophies and tapes to destroying Joker Teeth.

I can understand the reasoning behind it but as a long time reader of Batman comics, The Riddler might leave intentional clues that lead to him but bright green question mark statues are not one of them. A simple mechanic to extend the length of the game, yes, but I would have preferred more of the riddles that require the player to capture an image of a scene or object that relates to a character or event. Finally the biggest flaw that Arkham Asylum has is the final boss fight with the Joker.

It somewhat dampens the whole game due to the lack of thought that has gone into it. Turning the Joker into a hulking creature while fitting in with the story of the game does not fit in with the character at all. A gruelling test of all the skills that the player has acquired during the length of the game in a classic Joker death trap scenario would be more fitting. Having the player overcome a series of impossible challenges in quick succession, saving multiple innocent lives in the process and taking down the Joker in one punch would have been more satisfying. Especially when in order to do so would show Batman and the player out thinking the Joker who has been one step ahead of them the whole game.

If you still have to play this truly great game I suggest you give it a go before the sequel comes out and blows our minds all over again later this year. You can pick up the game for cheap anywhere that sells games and the GOTY Edition comes with 3D specs! If you are to lazy to go to the shops it is available via Steam on your PC and XBLA on your 360.