Flash back two years ago: A game came out that changed the landscape of superhero games (It actually didn’t suck! *GASP*). This game had a great story, great acting, awesome graphics, and was fantastic to play. It had side quests aplenty, meaning it would take a loooong time to get bored with it… that game was, ofcourse, Pokemon Black!

PSYCHE! Joking ofcourse, it was actually Arkham Asylum. The first time ever that a BATMAN game was actually good. My only problem with it was the ending, since it showed a potential for a sequel. I felt that they shouldn’t try expanding on the story, or changing lots of stuff to make a new game. They did something that was unheard of, and I highly doubted that the sequel would be anywhere near as good. I have NEVER been so happy to be proven wrong!

It’s a year after the events of Asylum, and this Arkham is completely different from what you might remember. Quincy Sharp, former warden, is now mayor of Gotham City, which has been divided and walled-off in order to better keep prisoners from the Asylum isolated from the rest of the population. Here is where the story dips a little bit though, the game doesn’t really explain what’s happened since the last outing: a disaster struck a particular section of the city, the decision was made to keep that ruined district under quarantine and use it as a miniature society for the former Arkham inmates. Kind of wish that Rocksteady had included a wrap-up of what’s happened since the end of the last game, but luckily after that small bump, the story picks up nicely and continues that way through the whole game.

There are also so many side stories, it’ll take you weeks to play them all. Plus campaigns, new maps, new riddler challenges, over FOUR HUNDRED achievements… this game isn’t going to be boring any time soon.

The controls are just about the same as Asylum, and unfortunately, the bosses are similar in how easy it is to beat them. Only one boss gave me a challenge while the rest seemed to be cannon fodder… Ah well you can’t have everything

For those of you who bought a brand new copy (unfortunately Ebay copies don’t seem to count), you’ll get to play a side story mode with Catwoman. She feels so different from Batman, it’s like playing a whole new game.

In an interview last month, the creators of Arkham Asylum and City said that they will continue making sequels, as long as the demand is there. Let’s hope they’re as good quality as this sequel

This rabid gamer gives Arkham City 8/10 and recommends it for anybody who loves playing games that feel more like interactive stories, with just a bit of gratuitous violence.

As a side note, for all my faithful readers, I apologize for the delays, but as soon as i get my new computer, the updates will be back on schedule.