Yesterday, our prayers were answered; the Dark Knight is coming back next year. Yes, fall 2011 will bring us Batman: Arkham City, the follow-up to the award-winning Batman: Arkham Asylum from 2009. It's a sequel we've been frothing at the mouth for since the game's debut trailer, but there's one major problem: we didn't know that much about it.

Thankfully, that's about to change. Yesterday's announcement came with art depicting Catwoman and Batman in all sorts of trouble. The news that accompanies those images can't be far behind. However, it's not here yet, and rather than sit and stew in our own dismay, IGN's gathering the comic book geek power of Hilary Goldstein and Greg Miller to talk about what the new art might means, where they think the game is going, and how hot Catwoman is.


Greg Miller: So, Hil, Batman: Arkham City. Hell yes.

Hilary Goldstein: About time! I remember when the trailer came out a while back, we wondered what it meant to see the Arkham sign inside of Gotham proper. Now we know.

Greg Miller: Uh, do we? What the hell is going on? Did Arkham relocate and explode? Did a section of Gotham get so nuts they quartered it off?

Hilary Goldstein: Now we know, Greg.

Greg Miller: We know nothing! To me, Arkham's "move" doesn't look planned. In the video, it's a makeshift wall around what used to be a thriving city. In the artwork, it's smoking like a bomb went off.

Hilary Goldstein: But now we can make wild assumptions. Even with the trailer, I'd say that it looked like Arkham had to be relocated in Gotham City. So maybe something happens to Arkham, they have to set up a temporary version in the city. And that could lead to some stuff taking place even outside Arkham. This will be awesome!

Greg Miller: So, do you see it being a massive free-roaming thing? The walled off area in the video looks rather large. Can you go anywhere at any time? Will it be a large area that's slowly opening to you like the first game?

Hilary Goldstein: I imagine it will use that same sort of Metroid-style system where as you get upgrades you can access different areas. What's really interesting is that if Arkham is now in part of Gotham, there are opportunities for even more cool Easter Eggs. Could Crime Alley be inside this new Arkham?

Greg Miller: Meh. I was already there in the first game. I'm more interested in getting into the Penguin's club and brawling in the streets. How do you think Catwoman fits into this thing? Lots of people are saying co-op...

Hilary Goldstein: Ugh. I mean, I am glad to see Catwoman in the game -- and it would have been a real force to get her into the first game since it was all in Arkham -- but co-op? Yech. Why can't people be satisfied with a good single-player experience? I think co-op completely destroys the story for games. You just can't enjoy the story the same way with someone else nudging you along. And the first game was all about atmosphere. That gets ruined if I have to hear some idiot going "Oh man, turn Catwoman to the left. Oh yeah, baby."

Greg Miller: True, but I think the folks at Rocksteady know what they're doing. Now, I've been burned by saying that before -- Bryan Singer with Superman Returns, Sam Raimi with Spider-Man 3, etc. -- but I think it'll hold true here. If Catwoman means co-op, I have to imagine it's like Uncharted 2: Among Thieves co-op. You have an awesome single-player story and then specific, out-of-canon co-op quests.

Hilary Goldstein: I hope that is it. I mean, the combat rooms and stuff in Batman: Arkham Asylum weren't bad, but there's definitely a lot more bonus missions that could be added. Hopefully Catwoman isn't some awkward clone of Batman but is actually nimble. OK, so -- Robin? Think he will show? I wouldn't be opposed to Nightwing either.

Greg Miller: Hmm. Putting me on the spot. Earlier this year, that IMDB listing slipped and made it seem like Robin would be in the game. That's where the co-op talk got kicked up. I say it's 50-50. If he does show up, it'll be in a non-playable role. Maybe something like Oracle in the first game. There's such a devotion to this universe and so much was crammed into that first title that I find it hard to believe Robin and Nightwing won't make some kind of appearance -- even if it's just a bio or suit in the Batcave. Do you think they'll make the cut? Would you be fine with them appearing in co-op as well -- again, like Uncharted 2 where you have several people to be.
Hilary Goldstein: I think Nightwing makes sense as a combat option for an arena mode. Maybe even as an exclusive (like how the Joker was only on PS3 at launch). I'd be fine with that. I think Robin could be really interesting as part of the gameplay in Arkham City. Like if he were a smart AI-controlled character who could gain access to areas Batman couldn't or was able to back you up in combat. Again, not co-op -- but as an AI character as integral to Batman's success as he is in the comics. Unless they use Jason Todd as Robin. Then I'd like to be able to bash his head in with a crowbar and blow him up.

Greg Miller: I like that idea for Robin -- as long as the AI isn't stupid as hell. Now, what do you think of the fact that the released artwork is black and white? Could game be black and white like Batman Black and White? Some people are talking about it being a replacement for Detective Mode. Do you think it's just a cool look for the debut art?


Hilary Goldstein: I think it probably will fit into the gameplay in some way. And I hope it is part of the new Detective Mode. Why not make the art style at least look unique and cool in a mode, rather than the whole wireframe thing of Batman: AA? They could also be taking a page from Splinter Cell: Conviction (that's an Xbox 360 game, Greg). When Batman is in the shadows, the game loses its color so you know you're hidden. Such a brilliant way to handle stealth -- I hope they are "inspired" by it.

Greg Miller: Oh, I've heard of the Sexbox 360, Hill don't you worry. Speaking of which, how about Catwoman in that chain bondage? ME-OW!

Hilary Goldstein: I hope the gameplay is just like that crappy EA Catwoman game.

Greg Miller: Well, now you've broken my heart. What about the role of the other villains? Joker was in the trailer, but Two-Face is the one on the poster behind Batman in the Game Informer art we have.

Hilary Goldstein: Oh yeah, there are so many cool Batman villains were didn't really see in the first game. Two-Face is probably both the best and worst Batman villain, depending on how he's handled. I mean, I've seen him really be this tortured man who basically is Batman gone wrong. And then I see other times where he is just so frigging dumb and corny and lame. Do you have, like, three villains you really want to see?

Greg Miller: Two of the ones I want have all but been shown (Mr. Freeze and Two-Face), and I'd like to see the Penguin show up as just a reformed crook running a club. Still, give me Talia al Ghul. Let her bounce off of the Catwoman/Batman relationship. Introduce Damian so that the third game can be him teaming with Jason Todd to take down Bats, Robin and Nightwing. Go all the way down the comic book rabbit hole, Rocksteady!

Hilary Goldstein: I'm not sure you are aware, Greg, but I'm a pretty massive Batman fanboy. I've read something like 200 Batman graphic novels. And I have to say, Ra's al Ghul can be the absolute best Batman villain when done right. (Read Birth of the Demon, Son of the Demon, and Bride of the Demon.) But for him to work, he has to be the main orchestrator; he can't be a bit-player. So unless he is the kingpin of this, leave him out. But Talia is juuuuuust fine to include.

Greg Miller: Exactly. And she's hot. Drug Batman again and let her have her way with him. Again. Game of the Year.

Hilary Goldstein: Oh, and can we have Bat-Mite in the game? Just kidding, Bat-Mite is so friggin' stupid.

Greg Miller: Oh, dear lord, no. Please no. Outside of wanting more ladies in leather suits and no goddamn joke characters, what do you want to see on the gadget front this time around? Do you want the same stable of items? You want to drive the Batmobile this time?

Hilary Goldstein: Yeah, if they can make it fun to control, I am down for the Batmobile being part of the equation. They got a lot of Batman's key gear last time. I just hope I don't start at zero again. I hate games where it's like, every time they have to find a way to make you have no gadgets and work up. Start with Batman's usual assortment and then improve and add from there.

I do kind of hope there is a surfing contest so I can use that shark repellent exclusive pre-order bonus from Gamestop.

Greg Miller: Hmm. I'm betting you're starting at near-zero again. That's how the Metroid-style you want works. I bet you get a batarang and grappling hook to start with. From there, I'm sure they'll have a bunch of crazy crap I can't even think of.

Hilary Goldstein: And maybe like an explosive Boy Wonder to throw at walls?

Greg Miller: Or a real one. Have Batman just strapping exploding capes to the street kids he finds in the quarantine area.

Hilary Goldstein: One last question for you Greg. We've talked about Batman allies and villains. But what about other DC guest stars. Should we be expecting any guest appearances from other DC Comics characters?

Greg Miller: No. It breaks the game if you do. Batman's world is so dark and hopeless to an extent. If Superman or Flash pops up with their bright colors, why don't they just solve the problem Batman's facing in the blink of an eye? This has to be a "man versus the freaks" type of thing. If it wasn't, they'd call it a JLA game, it would be set in space, and it would probably suck.

Hilary Goldstein: True enough. Though everyone reading this just screamed out, "The Dark Knight Returns," which really should be the next game Rocksteady makes.

Greg Miller: No. Make a Superman game that doesn't suck, Rocksteady.

Hilary Goldstein: How to make a great Superman game is a topic for another time, Gregerino. I'd say that means we're just about done here.

Greg Miller: OK. Back to my cryo-sleep until they release DC Universe Online.


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