Batman: Arkham Asylum, Rocksteady Studios’ 2009 multi-platform smash hit, will forever be one of my favorite games. Although Batman holds a very special place in my heart, I did not have high hopes for Asylum when I first heard about it in 2008.
After all, few of the previous Batman game releases (2005’s abysmal Batman Begins in particular) ever amounted more than a cheap rehash or cash grab.Batman: Arkham Asylum completely blindsided me, proving that careful planning and a reverence for the source material can make for an innovative and enjoyable game.
Recently at E3, Warner Brothers released new gameplay footage of Asylum’s highly anticipated sequel, Batman: Arkham City.  The footage (which can be found below) depicts Catwoman as a playable character and shows off some gameplay.
This is not at all what I was expecting, and I must say that I am slightly let down. I will give them credit where it is due, and I commend them for investing a great deal of time in creating new moves for a completely new character, but it takes away from the core initiative that gets me excited about these games in the first place. When I play a Batman game I play it solely for the fact that I’m Batman. Period. I really don’t need/want to play as Catwoman.
I’m sure I stand alone in dismay at this news, but the sequel nonetheless remains a hotly anticipated title. I just hope that the inclusion of a playable Catwoman has a significant impact on Batman’s story arc in Batman: Arkham City.
Check out the video below and let us know what you think.
(Courtesy Of Gametrailers)
