Remember a time when Rocksteady weren't one of the most beloved developers around? You need only go back to pre-2009, as their signing on to do a seemingly random Batman tie-in didn't generate a whole lot of hype - until it launched and genuinely redefined the superhero genre for the first time since Spider-Man 2. Suddenly Batman himself genuinely felt like the muscle-stacked powerhouse he was regularly portrayed as, sd a new fighting system saw you able to break bones with ease, deflect any incoming shots from all directions with the press of a button, and even bust out the occasional gadget for good measure. Followup Arkham City is the more 'obvious' take on the open-world genre thanks to its size, but considering how well-told Asylum's story is, how enjoyable uncovering every inch of the island can be and just how much of an all-round impact this made right out the gate, it's always this inaugural instalment that reigns supreme.
