Fit for a Hero: 'Batman: Arkham Asylum'

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BATMAN IS IN for the night of his life in the latest release from developer Rocksteady Studios, "Batman: Arkham Asylum" — a truly great game that deftly depicts the universe and character of the Dark Knight.

The opening cinematic sets the bar early, with the Batmobile tearing down the rain-slicked streets of Gotham towards a beautifully rendered gothic hospital for the criminally insane. Shifting to the interior of the vehicle, we get to experience lines of dialogue between the Bat and the Joker — and already we know we're in for something special.

Although the story, penned by veteran comic writer Paul Dini, covers familiar territory for any Bat-fan, it's a well-crafted tale that provides a few interesting twists and stays true to the source material. The Joker hijacks the facility, setting free many of the Bat's more well-known villains. Before long, he's holding the entire city hostage, and its up to you to stop him.

The action is brilliantly brought to life by high calibre voice-acting turns from Kevin Conroy (Batman), Mark Hamill (the Joker) and Arleen Sorkin (Harley Quinn), all fan favorites from the classic "Batman: The Animated Series."

But all the production values in the world don't mean anything if the gameplay isn't there. Fortunately, it's here that "Arkham Asylum" truly shines. It's a third-person action game with stealth elements, occasionally broken up with well-integrated investigation and platform sections. The game's combat controls are easy to learn, but mastering its nuances is a joy because of the responsive controls, fluid animations and a brain-teasing level of strategy.

"Arkham Asylum" is the Batman game fans have been waiting for. Great graphics and great sound, coupled with perfectly executed and well-paced gameplay make for a game that will remain in many a collection for years to come.

Photos courtesy Edios