First impressions can be all important to a gamer and - after all these years of experience(!) - I consider myself a fairy good judge of what is, and isn't, a decent title.

Imagine my disappointment then, having snaffled a copy of Batman: Arkham Asylum - BAFTA's best game in this year's awards, and highly recommended by fellow Megabits blogger Ibwib - to think it an overhyped box of boring old tosh.


Looking beyond the obviously gorgeous graphics and appropriately-voiced comic book characters, I spent my first few hours trudging aimlessly around Arkham, unable to fathom the controls, the Riddler's puzzles that kept popping upon my screen or the storyline. The deluge of information, tips and pointers put me right off a game that has been universally adored by critics. I just didn't see what set this bog-standard tie-in aside from the countless other cash cows that have previously been churned out on the back of a popular brand. Remember Terminator Salvation, King Kong and Avatar?

This was yet another perfect example of style over substance and was quite prepared to consign it to the pile of unloved games purchases in the cupboard beneath my console.

But thanks to a decent night's sleep and my renewed impetus to give it just one more go, I've had a change of heart. After a stint as the caped crusader last night, I can confirm that I was a little too quick to judge and Rocksteady's vision of Gotham is actually, absolutely ace.

Having got to grips with my freeflow combat moves, inverted takedowns, my batarang and hugely useful detective mode (for spotting all those hidden clues), I'm starting to see why it won so many plaudits.

Yeah, my status screen tells me I'm only 7% into the game right now, but I've a feeling that figure's going to increase somewhat in the coming weeks!

Expect a review on this very blog in the not too distant future... Ibwib, my apologies for doubting you!
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