2. Batman: Arkham City 21st October 2011 (EU)
After Batman: Arkham Asylum surprised me in 2009 like a fish splashing out of your Coco Pops, hearing about the sequel being set in a city of all things disappointed me from the get go. One of the fantastic parts of Arkam Asylum was in the name; its set in an asylum over one-night, keeping the story tight as a 18th century woman's corset. Also, it made sense that all of Batmans villains would be trapped in the asylum and not just knockin about in some cartoonish sectioned off metropolis. Furthermore, it seems in a desperate attempt to get everyone in, each villain's screen time has been cut in half. Gone are the lengthy nightmarish Scarecrow scenes and in its place, we have each villain quickly yelling their plans at Batman before handing it over to the next. The Riddler is back with his question marks and in an attempt to counter sexism on his part, has given Catwoman a few of her own. Even though in Arkham Asylum I wanted The Riddler to have an actual physical role, I almost wished they didnt pop him in Arkham City because like Ive said above, there are too many villains clogging up space, like a blocked toilet. Plus, I was hoping for more in the first encounter. I did like what the developers were trying to do with his character, but in my eyes the perfect Riddler would be riddles set in Saw-style traps. However, everything I loved is still in Arkham City, Batman for one; the fantastic controls and combat, the nifty gadgets and the villains while misplaced, were a good representation in this realistic Batman world. What did get on my nerves was having to play as bloody Catwoman, who looks like a smelly hooker and is about as likeable. Plus, not being a thirteen-year old boy, I did not enjoy her (apparently) funny and or sexy dialogue which, I guess was added to set women back another fifty years. Whilst Catwoman controls like s**t and is nothing like Batman and his fabulous cape, they both suffer with how bloody dark and cluttered the city is. I understand the developers were trying to create a certain frightening mood for Arkham City, but it makes me look like a bit of a plonker if Im yelling about justice and righteousness to a damn bin because I cant see what the Hells going on. Arkham City isnt that bad of a game and the game I love is in there somewhere. However, creating a sequel has only added filth to a title that was almost squeaky clean.