IF I had to choose one word to describe Batman: Arkham Knight, it would be “breathtaking”.

The wait to play the latest and final installment of the Arkham Series was almost too much for me, especially after problems with post meant I had to wait an extra day to step into Batman’s shoes.

But within minutes of loading the game on the PS4, I realised it was definitely worth the wait.

The graphics instantly blew me away. The game has been developed exclusively for new-gen platforms and boasts a solid-frame rate, making Batman even glossier and more realistic than ever before.

Add those incredible graphics to the familiar gameplay of the previous Arkham titles and you’ve got yourself the perfect superhero video game.

There are a few differences with this game though, one being the new ability to drive the Batmobile as you please.

The highly anticipated addition of this legendary vehicle, combined with the award-winning gameplay, offers the ultimate and complete Batman experience as you tear through the streets and soar across the skyline of the entirety of Gotham City.

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In this explosive finale, Batman faces the ultimate threat against the city he is sworn to protect.

The Scarecrow (scarier than ever before) has returned to unite an impressive roster of Batman’s deadliest foes including Penguin, Two Face and Harley Quinn to destroy The Dark Knight forever.

Your first task in the game is to destroy what remains of the infamous Joker, who we saw die in 2011’s Arkham City.

From then, you spend a few moments as a GCPD officer before all hell breaks loose.

I won’t say too much, as I don’t want to spoil the game, but as Batman says in the opening scenes – It’s going to be a long night...

If you played the previous Arkham games, getting to grips with this one will be easy, with the combat controls – albeit slightly tweaked – much the same. This is of course a good thing, but can also make things feel a little “samey” from time to time.

Arkham Knight gives gamers the chance to explore all three islands that make up the famous Gotham City.

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The map is an estimated five times the size of the previous game, offering hours of fun as you grapple and glide your way around the city, solving side missions and saving the good guys as you go.

As Batman, you have the run of the roofs, rafters and other vantage points.

Thugs affiliated with Batman’s greatest foes have overrun the city, and are found rioting, looting, and joyriding through the streets below.

There are also tanks which can prove quite dangerous but are no match for the Batmobile’s battle mode, complete with projectile missiles – non-lethal of course.

While I haven’t been able to play the game in its entirety yet, I am genuinely impressed by what I have seen so far and can’t get wait to resume my adventures as the Batman.
 

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