Batman: Arkham Asylum for PlayStation 3 Reviews by Gamers

With GameFly, I've played all the hot games that have been made for ps3/360. This is easily the best game (non FPS) I've played for the next gen consoles. With the perfect mixture of exploring, fighting, and solving puzzles and crimes, you never get bored. The voices are done by 90's cartoon talent, and the story bends more towards that version of Batman, which means the game is geared towards teens of the 90's (who are around their 30's now if you're bad at math). Finally, the fighting system does an excellent job of showing us how Batman is better fighter than everyone else, by slowing the action to allow the player to think-out the next move. How do you show superior fighting skill? Take no damage. Knock the bad guys down with one punch. No, Batman is a superhuman, he's just well trained, and the slowing of gameplay makes you feel it. I'd also say that the game is just long enough. This game sucks you in, and just when you start to think "it's been 3 days, maybe I should go to work," it's over.

I would say this is really the first game, besides BioShock, that is just plain polished. Well thought-out, planned, and executed.

My only complaint is the ending. You work for hours to finish, only to have a couple minutes of end scene... oh well.

The Dark Knight takes a tour of madness through Arkham Asylum, and it's one heck of a ride.
The game starts out with Batman returning Joker to Arkham after an attack on the mayor. Joker escapes custody and takes control of the asylum, leaving you against an army or psychopaths, criminals, and the worst of Batman's super-villains.
The gameplay is divided into three types of play: Detective play, predator gameplay and combat. There are a few instances throughout the game where you must make use of Batman's detective skills to set up crime scenes and track down suspects, but it doesn't get much more depth from that. Predator gameplay allows you to sneak around a room full of thugs that are aware of your presence, taking them out one by one without ever being seen. There are several ways to silently take down enemies, as well as some not-so silent ways, but the number of things you can do allows you to get creative. The combat is unlike that from any other game. The FreeFlow system allows Batman to move seamlessly from enemy to enemy, dishing out brutal combos with such ease and grace never seen in a game before. A series of Batman's famous "toys" are included with gameplay, each helping with traversing gaps or taking out brainless thugs.
Writer Paul Dini joins the team at Rocksteady to create the story behind Batman's dive into the heart of madness. Accompanying him are voice actors such as Kevin Conroy(Batman), Arleen Sorkin(Harley Quinn), and Mark Hammil(The Joker), each reprising their rolls from the animated series. Each deliver knockout performances, and the writing truly captures these characters personalities. An amazing symphony provides a very "The Dark Knight" feel, and is unparalleled by any game score today.
I love this game. It is easily my most played and most favorite game of all time, and I can't wait for the sequel this October.
Story: 9.5
Graphics: 10(360, PC), 9(PS3)
Sound: 10
Gameplay: 10
Replay Value: Very High
Overall: 10/10