Is Batman: Arkham Asylum the year's best video game?

Despite year-over-year sales declines putting a recession-fueled wet blanket over the entire industry, video games are still a big business, and a hit-driven one at that. Hence, much of the attention falls on a handful of commercial superstars each year, from Halo 3 to The Beatles: Rock Band, leaving plenty of worthy games languishing in obscurity.

That's why it's pleasing to see critics and gamers alike praise Warner's Batman: Arkham Asylum, a new action/adventure game about the famed caped crusader. Earlier this year, during the annual E3 video game industry trade show, we said:

Perhaps because it started life as a lower-profile project, this game was able to develop without a movie release deadline to hit or a hard holiday season shipping date. What we've ended up with is one of the best games we've played this year, with appeal that goes far beyond comic book fans.

Now that we've played the final retail version of the game, releasing on August 25, our initial impressions have been confirmed, and we're willing to say this may be the best overall gaming experience of 2009. CNET's sister site Metacritic.com says the early reviews average out to a score of 91 out of 100, which the site labels as "universal acclaim."

With decent (for a video game) scripting and voice acting, and a grim, detailed setting on Gotham's spooky Arkham Island, we concur with several reviewers who have compared the game to 2007's BioShock, another critically hailed title that mixed talky character development with brutal action in a vaguely dystopian setting. The plot is a typically McGuffin-filled story about the Joker taking over the secure mental hospital that houses both him and a rogues gallery of other super-villains - naturally requiring Batman to set things right.

The real secret to Arkham Asylum's appeal is something too many games ignore -- variety. Instead of setting up a basic gameplay mechanic and repeating it until your thumbs fall off, this game jumps from hand-to-hand combat to stealth to detective work (using some kind of highly advanced Bat-goggles that can track DNA and fingerprints, as well as see through walls). The net result is that you never spend too long doing one thing, which helps fend off boredom.

To be fair, the game's deceivingly open environments mask that it is a largely linear experience, funneling Batman from one challenge to the next through the use of conveniently locked doors and new Bat-gadgets that are doled out as the game progresses. Also, some of the dialog can be hokey, and if like us, you lack a deep knowledge of Bat-lore, many of the references and cameos will go over your head. Still, it's a tribute to the game's strengths that you don't need to much beyond a passing familiarity Batman's movie or TV incarnations or appreciate this game's excellent pacing and production values.

Batman: Arkham Asylum screenshots

[RockaTech]

I'm not much of a comic book fan but this game appears to be a winner especially since its not being released side by side with a movie. Now I just wish they could make a Spider-Man game with the same dedication as this Batman game.

[chrkeller]

There are a lot of super hero games that just aren't well done. I for one am excited about Batman, I am glad to see somebody putting effort into a super hero game instead of just using the name to sell a few copies.

[kalel33]

I would have to say the voice actors are much better than "decent". They are the original cast from Batman the animated series, such as Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill. The other voices I recognize from the series too.

[gwatson47]

What Ackerman??, How could you miss the anticipated game of this year?? Not even a single mention of it, which means you just blowing hype on this game and calling a game of the year in freaking August. I've lost all respect for your columns now. You won't be praising this game on November 17, I can tell you that much.

[Dan_Ackerman]

Let's see -- it's not Modern Warfare 2, and it's not Uncharted 2 (or Dragon Age) -- what comes out 11/17?

[CrimsonDeo]

@Dan

I believe he is talking about Assassins Creed 2.

[kalel33]

Assasin's Creed, the follow up to the game that received an 8.5 rating(averaged among the different review sites)? Seriously? He also said, in the article, best game up to this point.

[wcampbell007]

I'm just voting that someone is an idiot here, and I know I am late to this posting, but, having played the whole game, this is easily the best super hero game ever made, and it is this year's Game of the Year, (so far!)...Assassins Creed, really? Are there more books and stories that I missed for that game or something? I mean the Halo games, I own all of them, are probably just 1st person drivel and like anything else out there, UNLESS you actually read ALL of the stories behind the games, and then it elevates those games to something that has staying power, and you feel like you are a part of that universe. That being said, Batman: AA, already has all that back-story set-up, so you don't need to know that Bruce was a kid who saw his parents get killed, but I bet a bunch of people already know that, AND THEY STILL TELL YOU IN THE GAME, but in a very cool way! gwatson47 should be banned from future postings and he should have to turn in his gamer card! I'll wait for Modern Warfare 2 to come out before I give out my GoY awards, but Batman: AA is at the top...(Uncharted was an excellent game, but I think the second WILL be a rehash/same-old same-old IMHO)

[Dominick_7]

Looking forward to getting this one!:) Thanks.

[regulas1]

Not even close, Fallout 3 by far unless somehow Dragon Age can dethrone it but that would be hard to do.

[Dan_Ackerman]

Hey, I love Fallout 3, but that's last year's game -- we're talking '09 here (and the DLC packs don't count). Dragon Age also looks sweet -- you can see my initial impressions here: http://www.cnet.com/8301-18603_1-10207482-73.html

[nullifier]

I'm sorry but if this is the best game of the year it is the WORST commercial EVER. What does three skeletons singing dem bones in a barbershop quartet style have ANYTHING to do with batman OR selling a video game?

[Sir_Will]

Agreed. If I wouldn't have read the reviews I would have never thought of buying this game from that stupid commercial.

[stankyleg324]

the skeletons are from the scarecrow when he seduces u into a nightmare u f***ing idiot if u was a batman fan u would have f***king knew that so just shut the f*** up because u have no idea what the f*** ur talking about

[technologyRules]

What about Infamous? Very high critical praise and creative story line.

[chrkeller]

ps3 exclusive, which means for most it doesn't count. In fact a ton of ps3 exclusive titles don't get near enough attention such as Little Big Planet and Killzone 2.

[NervClaX]

I enjoyed the demo immensely. I only worry about the hand-to-hand combat portions getting repetitive. The whole dodge/counterattack thing was done to death, same as it was in Assassin's Creed.

I was happy with the stealth aspects of the game. Snatch a thug from the darkenss above, choke his lights out, leave him hanging for his friends to find, then take out his friends. Sweet.

A very scary atmospheric take on Arkham.

[azadam24]

I think we can all at least agree that from this game to MW2, to AC2 and so on, it'll be a fun fall/holiday season all around!

[ninjahonor]

The month of October alone is going to be interesting with new, good games coming out. Dissidia: Final Fantasy comes out today as well.

[ryanlawless86]

I'm about half way through the game and the cnet review is correct, this game is largely lineal, but there are many riddles to solve which allows you stop and think about each room your in. This game is relatively short but I believe the replay value is amazing. You can take out a room of thugs different every time.