When I first heard that there was going to be a new Batman video game, my initial reaction was to groan. In the past, Batman games have been passable at best, but what a relief to play Batman: Arkham Asylum, available for Xbox 360, PlayStation 3 and Windows PC.

The game begins as Batman is making his way to Arkham Asylum, the Joker in tow. When the Joker escapes his chains, the problems begin. Your first objective as a player is to take out a group of the Joker’s thugs using what developer Rocksteady calls “FreeFlow combat system.” Although combat is reserved for the four face buttons (the square/B button being your main attack), combat is very satisfying. Players can string a number of combos and sometimes the camera will pan up close when Batman lands a particularly brutal move on an enemy. If you are particularly keen on the combat there is challenge mode, which adds to an already lengthy single-player campaign.

Other elements of game play, such as stealth and detective mode, are all integrated seamlessly, making Batman: Arkham Asylum an adventure that has you lurking deep within Arkham’s darkest depths.

The game’s visuals immerse you into Batman’s world. Arkham looks like it’s been there for years, and there are many disturbing set pieces, especially when the Scarecrow is involved.

The story is mature and refreshing. Most of the characters are voiced by the same actors who worked on the animated series, including a devilish Mark Hamil as the Joker. His cackle is convincingly menacing, and he delivers his lines with a scary fervor. “Look at all this new security,” says the Joker, “how’s a guy supposed to break out of here?”

If you are new to the Batman universe, have no fear. Not only is this game a love letter to dedicated fans of the series, but there are also character cards that tell you about each character’s back story, as well as interview tapes and hundreds of the Riddler’s clever riddles to solve.

Overall, Batman: Arkham Asylum is well done, but some of the character models in the in-game cut scenes look dead and their mouths don’t always match what they’re saying. However, this is only a minor complaint and really doesn’t take much away from the game.

Batman: Arkham Asylum is possibly the best comic book licensed game of the last decade. Even if it didn’t have the Batman name attached, this is a worthy action title. You owe it to yourself to at least give this game a try.