Batman: Arkham City

If you loved the original, this one's a no brainer, if you've never played the franchise, welcome to comic book video game heaven.

It doesn't take the world's greatest detective to spot that this is an expertly crafted adventure, one that maintains a breathtaking pace and invigorating rhythm from beginning to end.

Batman: Arkham City isn't perfect, but listing the little things I didn't like gets in the way of all the stuff I adored. The voice acting, the challenges, the amazing opening, the unbelievable ending and the feeling of being the Dark Knight -- these are the things that standout looking back. I've beaten this thing twice and still want to call in sick and chase Riddler Trophies.

Batman: Arkham City might very well be the greatest comic book game to date. With what feels like the most pristine mix between gritty realism and dark humor, the game is the most organic feel in the most unnatural universe possible. With perfect controls, tons of challenges and captivating gameplay, the game invites players in to never let them go; just like a prison. Come for the satisfying gameplay and challenges, but stay for the unparalleled lore and overall enchantment.

A gluttony of content; Batman: Arkham City takes everything that made its predecessor brilliant and improves upon it. It's really not hard to recall the period before Batman: Arkham Asylum released. At the time, the video game media was embroiled in a discussion about how the promising looking licenced title couldn't possibly turn out well. Developed by unknown British studio Rocksteady and almost pushed to the background for much of its pre-release build up, Arkham Asylum hit like a jolt of lightning, stunning pretty much everyone that played it. The final product wasn't just a great Batman g...

The graphics didn’t seem to get much of a bump from Arkham Asylum, but that’s not to say they’re terrible to look at. Arkham City might be on the Unreal Engine, but it’s one of the few games on that engine that actually has a fantastic art style to differentiate itself from others on the engine. From the gloomy streets of Arkham City to the diversity of each villain’s hideout, there’s tons of eye-candy to view in this game with a haunting soundtrack to accompany you.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve spent far too long writing about Arkham City, I’m going back in to finish The Riddler’s riddles off once and for all. Then play the whole thing again.

I'm Batman. As I stalk Arkham City's rooftops tapping into radio frequencies, tuned into the pulse of the criminal network, I can run, leap and glide off the edge of a building, zip-line from ledge to ledge, never losing momentum. I can beat seven shades of crap out of entire armies of henchmen without breaking a sweat. I've got more gadgets than Currys and Comet combined. I. AM. BATMAN. Except... I'm not really Batman. Or am I? No, I'm not. But in Batman: Arkham City, it feels pretty damn cl...