Batman: Arkham Asylum was an awesome game. Rocksteady did away with the need to tie-in with pre-existing Batman movies or comics and by doing so created an amazing game with a completely original story. It also helped that they got the feeling of being Batman himself so very right. The combat didn’t just ape what had come before in the 3rd-person action genre, but struck ahead to define a system that so fluid and graceful that it left most players feeling superhero-esque! Arkham Asylum also had more going for it than a well-written story and innovative combat – the unique environment of the asylum itself played a major role in convincing players to see Batman: AA through to the end, as did the constant malignant presence of Joker. These elements come together in a way that was completely unprecedented for a licensed game, and indeed for most games in general. It’s not really any wonder Arkham Asylum was my game of the year for 2009.

I finished Arkham Asylum two years ago and was left wanting more. I stayed in that world for some time after the story was complete – first to solve all the Riddler puzzles and thus the mystery of the Asylum, and next to hone my combat skills in the Challenge rooms until I could clear an entire room without being touched. Still I wanted more, and now two years later Batman: Arkham City is finally here to pick up that slack. Or is it?