9/10
Over time, I had forgotten just how impressive the first game really was.
Setting aside how ahead of its time it was and how it set the gold standard for melee combat, this game is still rock solid.
The areas where its age shows the most are probably the visuals, but even there, since it never aimed for a realistic style, I don’t think it looks outdated.
The combat is endlessly satisfying no matter how long you play. Exploring Arkham Island is genuinely enjoyable, and because the map is relatively limited in size, the game does its best to keep it feeling dynamic as the story progresses. Collecting Riddler trophies is fun, and the extra modes provide enough content to keep you engaged for quite a while longer.
In short, it satisfies on a technical level, it satisfies in terms of content, and as a Batman fan, it absolutely satisfies me. Above all, it reminded me how games used to expand playtime before the open-world boom—by adding meaningful extras without ever diluting the experience.