Arkham's corridors breathe madness before the Joker even opens his mouth.

The profile draws a game split in two. On art direction, Batman: Arkham Asylum sits ahead of nine games out of ten, and controller feel follows close behind, ahead of eight titles out of ten. Atmosphere and gameplay, that is where it hits hard. But look at the other side: on rediscovery it lands at the very bottom, near last. Attachment and sound also linger low in the field. On few votes, so take it gently, but the tension is clear: a game you love to hold, without quite dreaming of living it again for the first time or bonding with it like a companion.

Against other third-person action games, Arkham Asylum remains the benchmark that set the rules for fluid combat and predator stealth. But its emotions feel tied to the act more than to the memory.

So, who is it for? For you if you love a dense art direction, an atmosphere that clings to your skin and a combat system that snaps. Much less if you are after the game that marks you emotionally and that you would want to discover a second first time.