Batman: Arkham Asylum for Xbox 360 Reviews by Gamers

Ok. Usually I give long detailed reviews but I could not say enough about this game. Game play is awesome 10. Story 10. Sound 11, Graphix 10, Re-play 8.5 This game is definitely worth your time. Developed with the "true" gamer in mind. If you just like first-person shooters then you might not think so. Game progression reminded me of classics like Metroid & Zelda to name a couple. I'm not saying this game is like those at all, but in the way that you go through levels, collect power-ups, solve puzzles, and fight enemies it reminds me of that classic design. It certainly does add it's own sense of mastery to that formula. I only found a few small gripes, and they are extremely small so that's why I did not give it a 10. Cannot wait for the sequel, but it is going to be hard to top this masterpiece of a game.

First of all, gotta say that this is definately the best Batman game made. Secondly, getting to the actual analysis, there really isnt anything "wrong" with this game. It is one of the best games I've played on the 360.

The gadgets: One of the best parts of the game IMO. Very well thought out on their use both in and out of battle (in terms of puzzle solving) Love how this game put an emphasis on Batman's gadgets and brains as well as his brawn.

The Story: Excellent. Joker had me laughing my bum off through most of the game with his random chime ins on the Asylum's PA system and when you are kicking the crud out of his thugs. A few times I had to actually pause the game and put the controller down I was laughing so hard.

Controls/Combat: Simplistic, yet not so simplistic that a trained monkey could do it. All of your base strikes are executed through the X button (for 360) and your counters are with the Y button. It's when you begin using these two in tangent with one another that the combat system truly comes alive and you feel like you are in the Dark Knight's boots stomping the p1$$ out of these thugs hehe.

Camera: IMO, very well done here as well. Remindned me of RE4 and RE5 (Over the shoulder).

Puzzles: By puzzles I actually mean the "side quest" in the game of The Riddler's Challenges. Some of his riddles actually had me thinking for half a day before I came across them and said to myself "DUH!!!" hehe. Even the game itself isnt a strait button masher. It's going to take you a bit of skill, tactics, and stealth in order to take down a room of 7-8 Thugs armed with guns, just like in true Dark Knight fashion.

The only complaint I have with this game is that there is no real replay value and no, challenge mode does NOT count. Even being able to use the Armored Batsuit in story mode would have given this game a 10 from me. But, because I had no real motivation to play through again, it gets a 9 instead of a 10.