Arkham City Review

Batman: Arkham City is easily the best game of 2011 so far. I was hooked from the breathtaking opening scene (best I've seen in an age), and my fascination increases with each shadow I lurk in. The story holds my interest, which I won't divulge beyond this:  Quincy Sharp, former Arkham Asylum Warden, is now Gotham City's Mayor. He sectioned a part of Gotham City off, housing not only the Asylum's inmates, but also the baddies from Blackgate Prison. Shit happens, and Batman goes in to handle his business. As far as core gameplay, it's a more refined version of Arkham Asylum's controls, and includes some new (and fucking awesome) counter attacks (many that take out multiple enemies). For the combat, I'm actually just going to quote a review I'd read yesterday:  To defeat a roomful of armed hooligans, you'll need stealth, agility and an understanding of basic psychology - especially that of fear. You play with their minds, get them to separate, and then take them down one by one in the dark, because you're the fucking Batman. You're what nightmares have nightmares about. Arkham City is an open world setting - not a total sandbox, but it plays well to the Batman domain. Anybody can appear, pretty much in any place at any time - it keeps our Dark Knight on his toes. Speaking of "anybody", a few surprising characters make appearances in Arkham City.

So, in summary:
Concept:  10. It was a very ambitious title, and it delivered in every capacity.
Graphics:  10. Gotham City never looked so damn good!
Sound:  10. Captivating score, the city sounds alive.
Playability:  10 (so far). Refined & polished controls, I like.

(Note:  I could've been more extensive, but I'm at work today, and may not get to sit back down like this for a couple days.)