A perfect blend of great gameplay, superb storytelling, and wonderful graphics make this the best game of 2009.
User Rating: 10 | Batman: Arkham Asylum PS3
Batman has been around for a long time now, but there hasn't really been a game that really makes you feel like Batman, Arkham Asylum finally fixes this problem and makes a game even non-Batman fans will enjoy. The game starts off with Batman taking the Joker to Arkham Asylum. After a pretty long introduction, The Joker breaks out and reveals that he wanted to come back for a "party" (quoted by Harley Quinn). You've got cameos of other villians such as Scarecrow, Bane, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy and The Riddler (voice only). I'm not gonna spoil to much, but lets just say that if you were looking for a great story, you've got it. After the intro you are sent immediately into combat a.k.a. the best part about the entire game. It's actually rather simple at first as you have an attack button (square) a counter button (triangle), and a stun (circle) however as the game goes on you can purchase upgrades to your standard abilities, and through the course of the game you'll get new gadgets. While not in combat you'll be exploring. That's basicaly self explanatory. The other main gameplay focus is the "Invisible Predator". This is where you really feel like Batman, as you pick off enemies without being spotted. You'll do things such as a silent takedown, and inverted takedown, and all sorts of things of that nature. The one thing that's very useful but kind of a bummer is "Detective Mode" which is a double edged sword. In detective mode you get to see everything, you see through walls, you see armed enemies, you see explodable objects, but at the same time you don't get to see the gorgeous graphics. The graphics are just eye popping, there's a glitch here and there, but for the most part, this is a jaw dropping game. Soundwise it is also quite impressive, with the voice cast of the 90's Batman cartoon reprising there roles, and they sound no different than they did back then. The music is also properly fitting for a Batman type game. In addition to the story there is also a challenge mode which recreates fight scenes from the story mode, but puts a leaderboard on them. Only on the PS3 version can you download The Joker maps (which is why I wanted this version) while he controls the same basic way as Batman, he has his own unique style to him which makes him feel like his own character rather than a palette swap. You owe it to yourself to play this game, a perfect blend of great gameplay, superb storytelling, and wonderful graphics make this the best game of 2009. 
