A Perennial Classic
It's hard to believe this game is more than ten years old. Prior to Arkham Asylum, the best superhero game on the market was Spiderman 2, and the best Batman game was probably the movie adaption of Batman Begins, and that's not a very high mark to beat. Arkham Asylum didn't just raise the bar for superhero games, it raised the bar for beat 'em up action games in general, and introduced a free form combat system that would be duplicated for years to come.
Even if you aren't a dyed in the wool Batman fanatic, Arkham Asylum has a lot to offer. The game is set in a semi-open world, the titular asylum, and is chock full of secrets and puzzles that become available progressively as you unlock more gear for Batman to use throughout the game, ala Metroid or Castlevania. Outside of the carefully concealed nooks and crannies that tuck away hidden riddler trophies, patient interviews with the colorful inmates of the asylum, and audio logs that reveal the twisted backstory of the asylum itself, there's a well paced and memorable story that will take you all over the island and back again. The premise is simple enough: Joker has staged a massive breakout at Arkham Asylum, shortly after being captured by The Bat himself. Stop him. It's the twists and turns, and appearances of several well known members of Batman's rogues gallery that make it an enjoyable ride that will keep you throwing batarangs, blowing up walls, and hunting down secrets 'till the final encounter with the clown prince of crime himself.
Now, if you are a fan of the man in the grey and black suit, this game is elevated from simply a good game, to a great fan experience, packed with enough easter eggs and nods to Batman lore to keep any aficionado of the caped crusader entertained for hours. You don't see every classic villain in person in the game, but there are enough hints and nods to the presence of characters like Calendar Man, Two Face, and even obscure characters like Rat Catcher, to make the secret hunting in the game even more rewarding than it already is. It's truly a treat, and the game was clearly made with love and care by actual fans of the franchise.
In short, if you aren't a Batman fanatic, I recommend this game to anyone who enjoys a good beat 'em up action romp, or is a fan of the Metroidvania formula. However, if you're addicted to the adventures of the dark knight, this game is a must, and still looks and plays amazingly more than a decade later.
