Batman: Arkham City

Batman: Arkham City expands on the intense, atmospheric action of Batman: Arkham Asylum by dropping players into Arkham City—Gotham’s new maximum-security “home” for thugs, gangsters, and criminal masterminds. Set within the heavily fortified walls of a sprawling district in the heart of Gotham City, this sequel delivers a new story featuring an all-star roster of classic Batman characters and deadly villains. With a wide range of new and enhanced gameplay features, Arkham City aims to deliver the ultimate experience as the Dark Knight.

At a press conference, Bruce Wayne publicly opposes Arkham City—only to be arrested by TYGER mercenaries and thrown into the prison city himself. Hugo Strange reveals he knows Wayne is Batman, then releases him into the criminal population as he prepares to initiate “Protocol 10.” With an airdrop from Alfred Pennyworth, Wayne recovers his gear and becomes Batman. Batman’s first priority is saving Catwoman from Two-Face, who plans to execute her to earn respect. After the Joker tries to assassinate Catwoman, Batman pursues him to the Sionis Steelmill, believing Joker may know what Protocol 10 really is. In the steelmill, Batman discovers the Titan formula has mutated in Joker’s blood, slowly killing him. Joker captures Batman and forces a blood transfusion on him, infecting Batman with the same fatal condition. Joker also reveals he has poisoned Gotham hospitals with his infected blood. To save himself and innocent citizens, Batman seeks Mr. Freeze, who had been working on a cure—but has been kidnapped by the Penguin. Batman tracks Penguin to the Cyrus Pinkney National History Institute, battles through his forces, defeats the imprisoned Solomon Grundy, and takes down Penguin. He rescues Mr. Freeze, who explains he has already made the cure, but it is too unstable to use. Batman concludes that the restorative qualities of Ra’s al Ghul’s blood can stabilize it. Following one of Ra’s al Ghul’s assassins, Batman enters Ra’s underground lair and confronts Ra’s and his daughter Talia, Batman’s former lover. With Ra’s blood, Freeze creates an antidote—only for Harley Quinn to steal it before Batman can take it. When Batman returns to Joker, he finds him apparently healthy. During their fight, Strange activates Protocol 10, revealed as a plan to wipe out Arkham City’s entire population and eliminate Gotham’s criminal element. TYGER troops begin executing inmates as Strange launches missile strikes from Wonder Tower. A missile hits the steelmill, trapping Batman under rubble. Before Joker can capitalize, Talia arrives and offers Joker immortality if he spares Batman. Batman escapes with Catwoman’s help, and Alfred urges him to stop Protocol 10 before chasing Joker and Talia. Batman infiltrates Wonder Tower and shuts down Protocol 10. Ra’s al Ghul is exposed as the true architect behind Arkham City and fatally wounds Hugo Strange for failing to defeat Batman. With his last breath, Strange triggers “Protocol 11,” Wonder Tower’s self-destruction. Batman and Ra’s escape, but Ra’s commits suicide rather than risk capture. Joker contacts Batman and threatens to kill Talia unless Batman meets him at the Monarch Theater. There, Joker demands the cure, but Talia stabs him while he is distracted, seemingly killing him. Talia confesses she stole the cure from Quinn—then is murdered by a second Joker who is still suffering from the disease. The Joker that Talia stabbed is revealed to be Clayface, a shapeshifter who has been impersonating a healthy Joker at the real Joker’s request. Batman defeats Clayface, but Joker detonates the theater floor, sending Batman into Ra’s lair below. Batman destroys the Lazarus Pit before Joker can use it and drinks part of the antidote. Batman considers saving Joker, but Joker attacks and the antidote vial is accidentally shattered. Batman admits that despite everything Joker has done, he would have saved him. Joker finally dies from his illness, and Batman carries his body out of Arkham City. When Commissioner Gordon asks what happened, Batman places Joker’s body on a police car hood and walks away in silence.