Batman: Arkham Asylum is a riveting action game that pits you against many foes from the Dark Knight’s rogue’s gallery, but especially the Joker. This isn’t the serious though demented clown you might remember from the movie. Nope. This is the full-on, acid shooting, slim but deadly purple clown from the comics.

All the buzz you have heard about this game is 100% true. The graphics are outstanding and the characters models perfect. Batman’s cape flows nicely as you spin, duck, and punch your way through the game’s chaotic characters. The frame-rate does not chop up during the combat animations, which, by the way, looked and felt much like one would expect from Batman.

The controls for the game, whether in combat or “Detective Mode”, a method of gameplay whereby Batman detects bad guys and swing-able objects, are fairly simply. There are basic attacks, counters, combos, all the moves from the usual button-mashers, but it all felt so Batman-ish. That is a good thing. Batman is equipped with full-on frontal attacks and stealth moves that while fun, are not hardcore. Also, Batman fans will be happy to know that the grappling hook is an important feature of the game and will be used frequently to help Batman swing from ledge to ledge.

In the demo, the Joker, evil as ever, traps Batman in Arkham Asylum, and the player in a comic-book. Not much else is given away in the demo but the voice-acting is incredible. Truly, even after the success of the movie, we are living in the time of the Dark Knight. This game will be a must-buy for any comic-book fan. This game will be a must-buy, period.