Please let this be true.

Anyone else really looking forward to this game? Arkham Asylum joined an exclusive list of games that I've bought twice, made even more exclusive if you don't count the cases were my first copy broke in some way. I'm still playing AA, slowly working my way towards an 100% file, and I absolutely love it. In fact the only criticism I have ever levelled at it is that there simply isn't enough of the story mode.

Anyway, Arkham City sounds like it'll fix that one issue while carrying on the awesome gameplay and feel. So who else has this on their list of must-buys?

Definately looking forward to it, but I really hope they don't include the Batmobile or whatnot. Tacked on vehicle sections have ruined too many sequels before.

I loved Arkham too. The minute I finished it I started a new game on hard. And it's RARE that I finish a game these days, let alone twice.

But I'll have to miss out on the sequel - my XBox is all sold and not mine any more.

I have the original... but I don't think I ever actually played it... Maybe I should.

Absolutely LOVED the original. If the sequel manages to be even a shadow of it's former glory it will be an enjoyable game.

Pulled forward?
That seems like a bad sign to me.

While I can see your point of view; pulled forward != rushed forward

Yeah, but it seems like a good idea to simply use the extra time for more testing.

Agreed

Ah, but what if they were seamlessly integrated into the gameplay, hmm?

Yeeeeah, admittedly unlikely. I can't help but feel that because the chances of any vehicle section being up to par with the predator and combat mechanics are slim that I'd just resent their inclusion on the grounds that I wasn't spending the time beating people up instead.

And while I get what you guys are saying about bringing it forward, if what the article says is true and Rocksteady have already got the game's content in place, is 6 more months not enough time to finish providing the polish? Considering they don't have to work from the ground-up like they did with Asylum, and they could have started work on it immediately after that game was released, keeping the release date a year from now seems excessive.

Baldurs Gate 2 was pulled forward, though admittedly not by much. And it's one of the greatest games ever made.

What do you guys think of the talk of multiplayer being included? I do have the worry that, depending on what form MP would take, it would have a negative impact on the quality of the story mode. But I think it could be a fantastic addition if it was handled the same way as Splinter Cell: Conviction, with a separate co-op campaign that was linked to the main story. The Challenge mode could then be given a Deniable Ops twist, letting you take them on solo (same as Arkham Asylum) or with a partner. Then you've got the prospect of simultaneous takedowns and synchronised freeflow combat...

Yeah, I could see myself enjoying that a lot. Presumably since Catwoman is already a confirmed character she could be the second player. Or Nightwing? I suppose the biggest problem would be kids online fighting over who gets to be Batman

You can only get so much 100% code coverage.

How much 100% code coverage can you get?

i thought this game came out like 5 years ago...or was that a different batman game

Some screenshots.

I'm trying to figure out why I'm so psyched about this game. I think it's because I've been so jaded and out of touch with the gaming industry for a while that it's nice to have something to really look forward to again. Plus it helps that it looks ace. Sucks to be you, Martyn

It's weird you've probably posted in this thread more than you have in the last year.

It's flattering that you noticed

'Content Complete' means the game is 90% done, and the last 10% takes 90% of the time. So releasing earlier could be very very bad.

I'd agree with you if it weren't for two things. Firstly that Rocksteady are working off an already-complete framework. Secondly, from the sheer effort and polish that went into Arkham Asylum, and their newfound status, I don't think Rocksteady would be keen on rushing an unfinished product into the shops.

You've also got to bear in mind that it's just the online shops putting the shipping date as in March. The [url=www.arkhamhasmoved.com]official website[/url] still says Autumn 2011.

Who says rocksteady gets any say in the matter? I imagine this happening.

Rocksteady : The game is 'content complete', you can actually play it from start to finish now.
Publisher : It's done?
Rocksteady : No, not yet.
Publisher : But you just said it was done.
Rocksteady : No we didn't.
Publisher : We're moving the release date forward so we get paid sooner.

I'm expecting awesome things.