Batman and Catwoman take on The Joker and Mr Freeze

Batman: Arkham City promises to build on the success of Arkham Asylum, but expanding the excellent stealth and combat with more playable characters and a huge city to explore.

We got our hands on with Batman: Arkham City at Gamescom 2011, playing with Batman and Catwoman. Batman plays much as we remember him, but movement seems more fluid, and there are a greater variety in combat animations. Arkham City also gives the game much greater vertical gameplay, as you’ll climb up and swoop off buildings. It’s a dark place, in fitting with the genre, and it looks great.

Catwoman moves very differently, with a graceful, balletic fighting style that really suits the character. Playing as Catwoman therefore has a really different rhythm, giving Batman: Arkham City much more variety.

As well as the Joker, Batman: Arkham City introduces the tragic Mr Freeze, who looks like a formidable opponent, as he learns players attacks on the fly. Batman: Arkham City looks like a much broader experience, and much less claustrophobic than its predecessor. The mix of stealth and melee combat has been maintained and subtly improved.

Batman: Arkham City is undoubtedly one of the most exciting looking titles of 2011, and should please fans of the original and newcomers alike.