Batman: Arkham City builds upon the intense, atmospheric foundation of Batman: Arkham Asylum, sending players soaring into Arkham City, the new maximum security "home" for all of Gotham City's thugs, gangsters and insane criminal masterminds. Set inside the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, this highly anticipated sequel introduces a brand-new story that draws together a new all-star cast of classic characters and murderous villains from the Batman universe, as well as a vast range of new and enhanced gameplay features to deliver the ultimate experience as the Dark Knight.

At a press conference held by Bruce Wayne to declare his opposition to Arkham City, TYGER mercenaries arrest and imprison him in Arkham City. Hugo Strange discloses his knowledge of Wayne's dual identity as Batman before releasing him into the prison's criminal populace. While Strange prepares to commence "Protocol 10", Wayne obtains his equipment via airdrop from Alfred Pennyworth, allowing him to become Batman. He first saves Catwoman from being executed by Two-Face, who hopes to gain respect by murdering her. After Joker attempts to assassinate Catwoman, Batman tracks him to his hideout in the Sionis Steelmill, believing Joker may know the truth behind Protocol 10. There, Batman learns that the unstable properties of the Titan formula are mutating in Joker's blood, gradually killing him. Joker captures Batman and performs a blood transfusion on him, infecting him with the same fatal disease. Joker also reveals that Gotham hospitals have been poisoned with his infected blood. Desperate to save himself and innocent citizens, Batman seeks out Mr. Freeze, who had been developing a cure but has since been kidnapped by the Penguin. Tracking Penguin to the Cyrus Pinkney National History Institute, Batman defeats his forces, his imprisoned monster Solomon Grundy, and ultimately the Penguin himself, before liberating Mr. Freeze. Freeze tells Batman that he has already developed the cure, but its instability renders it useless. Batman deduces that the restorative properties of Ra's al Ghul's blood can complete the cure. Batman tracks one of Ra's al Ghul's assassins to his underground lair, leading Batman into a confrontation with Ra's and his daughter Talia, Batman's former lover. With Ra's al Ghul's blood, Freeze is able to develop an antidote, but it is stolen by Harley Quinn before Batman can use it. When he returns to the Joker, Batman finds him restored to health. While the two fight, Strange activates Protocol 10, which is revealed to be a scheme to wipe out the entire population of Arkham City and destroy the criminal element of Gotham. The TYGER troops begin executing inmates as Strange launches missile strikes on Arkham's denizens from his base in Wonder Tower. A missile hits the steelmill, burying Batman under rubble. Before Joker can take advantage of the situation, Talia arrives and offers him immortality in exchange for sparing Batman's life. After escaping with the help of Catwoman, Batman is convinced by Alfred to end Protocol 10 before pursuing Talia and Joker. Batman infiltrates Wonder Tower and disables Protocol 10. Ra's al Ghul is revealed to be the true mastermind behind Arkham City and mortally wounds Strange for failing to defeat Batman. With his dying breath, Strange activates "Protocol 11", the self-destruction of Wonder Tower. Batman and Ra's escape, but Ra's commits suicide rather than risk capture. Joker contacts Batman, threatening to kill Talia unless Batman meets him at the Monarch Theater. Once Batman arrives, Joker demands the cure but is stabbed and apparently killed by Talia while distracted. Talia admits to stealing the cure from Quinn, when she is killed by a second Joker, still stricken with the disease. The healthy Joker that Talia stabbed then reanimates into the shapeshifting Clayface, who is revealed to have been masquerading as a healthy Joker all along at the ailing villain's request. Batman incapacitates Clayface, but Joker blows up the theater floor, sending Batman plummeting into Ra's' lair below. Batman destroys Ra's' rejuvenating Lazarus Pit before the Joker can use it, and drinks a portion of the antidote. Batman debates curing his foe but is attacked by Joker before he can act, causing the antidote vial to inadvertently smash. Batman admits that in spite of everything Joker had done, he would have saved him. After Joker finally succumbs to his illness and dies, Batman carries his body out of Arkham City. As Commissioner Gordon asks what happened, Batman places Joker's body on the hood of a police car and leaves in silence.

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Reviews

aleks-predator

5 months ago

The Dark Knight Unleashed If "Batman: Arkham Asylum" was a horror story with a deranged Joker and claustrophobic corridors, then "Batman: Arkham City" is Batman breaking free onto the streets. The developers didn’t hold back — they massively expanded the scale of the experience. Instead of a single island, we now have an entire walled-off district of Gotham, turned into a giant prison for society’s outcasts. And in this brutal new world, the Dark Knight must deliver justice. Bruce Wayne is thrown into Arkham City, and it’s complete chaos. Local gangs are fighting for control, anarchy reigns in the streets, and someone is clearly plotting something dreadful. This time, it’s not just the Joker — Two-Face, Penguin, Mr. Freeze, Talia al Ghul, Hugo Strange, and many others join the stage. While the first game focused primarily on Batman’s confrontation with the Joker, the sequel feels far more grand in scope. Players are in for a criminal carnival. The game world has grown significantly, and Batman now enjoys much more freedom in his movements. The coolest change is the open district of Gotham. Now you can glide across rooftops, take down thugs, patrol the streets, hunt down Riddler’s secrets, and just soak in the atmosphere. Moving through the city feels almost cinematic — you’re not just going from point A to point B, you’re truly living in Gotham, seeing it from every angle. Hand-to-hand combat is even more spectacular. Enemies don't just punch now — they wield weapons and try to surround you. But it hardly matters: blocks, strikes, counters — everything works just as we love it. Gadgets also play a bigger role than before, and using them in combat is not just an option — it’s essential. Besides Batman, you also get to play as Catwoman. She has her own fighting style — faster, more agile, graceful, and perfectly capable of handing armed thugs a beating. She even has her own story chapters, which nicely break up the main plotline. The side missions aren’t just filler either. Beyond the main story, there are optional quests that genuinely enrich the experience. You’ll hunt down Bane’s containers, investigate Deadshot’s murders, encounter the Mad Hatter, search for Mr. Freeze’s missing wife, track down Hush, hunt Zsasz through his phone calls, and, of course, battle the Riddler’s challenges. These stories add great depth to the game’s universe, and each side quest feels unique — a major plus. Near the end, there’s a mission where you must climb a towering structure. The atmosphere, the views, the dizzying height — it’s absolutely breathtaking. It’s one of the most memorable moments of the entire game, making you truly feel like the Bat as you scale higher and higher over Gotham. The city itself in "Arkham City" is practically a character of its own. It’s dark, cold, filled with criminals, neon lights, and an eerie silence broken only by patrolling helicopters, feuding gangs, and the ever-present threat of violence. It feels like a real powder keg, about to explode into full chaos. The music is absolutely spot-on. Epic themes perfectly capture the grim atmosphere and tension, while dynamic tracks kick in during battles to heighten the action. Batman’s arsenal includes familiar gadgets as well as new ones. The grapnel boost lets you zip into the air at high speed, explosive gel can destroy weak walls, freeze grenades can immobilize enemies, and the remote electrical charge can stun foes or activate machinery. New batarang types add even more tactical options, whether in stealth or open combat. The developers seamlessly wove gadget use into the gameplay, making them an essential and very fun part of the experience. Stealth mechanics have been refined. Where stealth takedowns in "Arkham Asylum" felt like a nice bonus, in "Arkham City", stealth has been elevated to a core part of the gameplay. Enemies are smarter, hiding is trickier — and way more rewarding. In addition to Batman and Catwoman, players can also control Nightwing — at least in challenge maps. His distinct combat style offers something fresh if you’re craving more after the main story. Without giving away any spoilers, I’ll just say — the ending here is truly powerful. It leaves a lingering emptiness because you realize that the feeling of epic, cinematic scale you had throughout the game culminates in a strong, dramatic finale. This wasn’t just a superhero beat-em-up — it was a genuine narrative experience that holds you captive to the very end. For me personally, "Batman: Arkham City" isn’t just a great sequel — it’s one of the best superhero action games ever made. It has everything: story, atmosphere, incredible gameplay, outstanding characters, and an authentic open world. Even after all these years, it still looks great and plays like a dream. It’s a natural evolution of the first game, but with more options, a bigger world, and even cooler gameplay. If "Arkham Asylum" showed how awesome a superhero action game could be, "Arkham City" proved it could be even better. A bigger world, more freedom — and it’s absolutely glorious. 10 out of 10