In 2009, the world changed when Batman: Arkham Asylum was released. While we'd witnessed countless superhero games before it, this one was something else. It wasn't just good; it was excellent. Much like The Dark Knight transcended its genre a year prior, Rocksteady Studios' action-adventure extravaganza did the same for the gaming industry. Batman fans and game-enthusiasts alike went bananas for it, as it reaped critical acclaim, awards, and bucket loads of money; plus, it created a whole new blockbuster series. It was the Batman game that gamers and fans had dreamed of. In fact, many have deemed it as the quintessential Dark Knight story of any medium.
Speaking about his experience working on the game, writer Paul Dini told The Telegraph, "I had a lot of fun. Rocksteady and I were completely on the same page as far as the character and the story went. DC Comics were nothing if not completely supportive and they championed a lot of our ideas. There are some hard and fast rules when you're dealing with Batman which you can't break or you're just destroying the character. I think we adhered to them all pretty well and also found ways to make Arkham Asylum a strong and powerful game." Undoubtedly, it's an experience quite like anything else, as Dini and the developers managed to tap into what it actually means to be and behave like Batman. That said, there are still a few things that puzzle us about the game and we need to have a frank discussion about it.
20 THE VILLAINS' COSTUMES
Generally, when someone is admitted into an institution for criminal rehabilitation, you don't get to wear your own clothes. This is why it's baffling as to how all of Batman's villains somehow have their traditional garb on. Sure, in the case of the Joker, he was being booked in when the madness started, but what about the rest of them?
You'd think that their costumes would be in police custody since most of them are evidence for previous crimes -- but nope. They're just lying around, somewhere, in Arkham Asylum, waiting for the rogues to pick up. It's as if the people running the asylum didn't think it would be a bad idea. In the immortal words of the the Clown Prince of Crime: "Ha-ha."
19 THE RIDDLER'S PUZZLES
Look, we get it: The Riddler is one clever cat. He's capable of putting together some ridiculously complex puzzles that require your brain to do serious mental gymnastics. Everyone knows that about him, hence how odd it is that he managed to put challenges and trophies all around the island.
If you know you have a criminal mastermind in your midst, are you going to let him roam freely throughout the yard and island without supervision? Maybe all of Arkham's guards on lunch every time that the Riddler was let outside. Again, if you know he likes to do "creative" things, why leave him to his own devices?
18 BATMAN'S MODUS OPERANDI
The World's Greatest Detective also ended up being the World's Greatest Chump in Batman: Arkham Asylum. He suspected the Joker was up to something and his capture was far too easy for his liking. So, what does he do? He follows him to an island, knowing all of his goons are still out there on the streets somewhere.
You'd think he would've learned about the knave's deception techniques through past experience, but it seems like the Dark Knight is blinded by his own pigheadedness. There were other options available to him; however, he walked straight into Mr. J's trap like the fool that he was.
17 THE SCARECROW'S FEAR TOXIN
This touches upon the whole costume aspect as well. How did the Scarecrow get his grubby paws on all his fear-inducing gear and getup? In some of the accompanying material to the game, we found out that he had his own secret lair in the asylum. The question is, how did he get all his stuff there, undetected?
Yes, we know there were a few crooked guards who aided in the Joker's plan, and most likely Scarecrow's as well, but surely someone would've seen a bunch of canisters containing the fear toxin at some point. Did no one bother to check the cameras once in a while?
16 ARKHAM KNIGHT'S WHEREABOUTS
So, as we know, Jason Todd was alive and (not so) well in the Arkham storyline. In terms of the timeline, we don't exactly know where he was when Batman: Arkham Asylum took place, but he could've been in Venezuela building up his army of soldiers. The point is, he had plans to punish the Dark Knight.
Undoubtedly, the events of Batman: Arkham Asylum made headlines. Everyone knew the Caped Crusader was stuck in there with some of his most dangerous foes. So, why didn't the Arkham Knight strike then? This was his perfect opportunity to truly take down his former mentor, yet he was nowhere to be found.
15 WHERE WERE ROBIN AND NIGHTWING?
Oracle played a big role in the Arkham video game series, especially in Batman: Arkham Asylum. However, Batman's two other sidekicks, Robin and Nightwing, decided to stay at home and watch Breaking Bad instead of being useful. That said, it's so like the Dark Knight to put on a gruff voice and tell them that he'll do it alone and they must stay out of it.
But, let's be honest here for a second, the sidekicks have never listened to Batman. They do what they think is right. Yet, in this game, not even a peep from them as they let their boss do all the heavy lifting.
14 BANE'S PRESENCE
Here's the problem with Bane's presence in the game: Prior to the game's events, Bane was captured and brought to Arkham Asylum for Penelope Young to study the effects of Venom on him. Additionally, he was officially listed as an escapee from Blackgate.
Considering that Bane is probably the smartest villain out of all the rogues, he would never be captured by anyone else besides the Dark Knight, who can match his intellect. So, his capture is a bit too convenient for the story's sake. Also, why didn't anyone investigate his supposed escape from Blackgate? He is a dangerous criminal, so it would only be a reasonable expectation.
13 THE MESSAGE SCREENS IN THE ASYLUM
For the most part, Arkham Asylum is actually a dump. It looks like it could use a fresh coat of paint and some renovation. Yet, on the other hand, the asylum features these high-tech screens that play messages from Quincy Sharp and other doctors discussing mental health and the history of Arkham.
Um, sorry, but this isn't Jurassic Park. Why in the world would the inmates want to get messages about the asylum? Furthermore, who'd actually want to go to Arkham for a tour since it houses some of the most dangerous criminals in the world? The messages are more about narrative exposition than anything else.
12 PENELOPE YOUNG'S ROLE
You know, Penelope Young's intentions with regards to Titan might've been pure at heart, but she went about it the wrong way. No matter what Bane has done, he is still a human being with rights. Instead, she tested him (against his will) to uncover the effects of Venom, and to make Titan.
Shockingly, she also broke several medical oaths and laws by conducting this on Arkham Asylum's premises. While you might think the Joker is the main villain of the game, it's actually Young. If it wasn't for her, we wouldn't have needed all the body bags or drama. She's the real enemy here.
11 THE SECRET BATCAVE
Batman is resourceful, but even the secret Batcave under Arkham Asylum seems a little too far-fetched for him. This isn't like Peter Parker leaving backpacks across New York City; this is an entire jacked-up cave filled with high-tech gear.
The question begs to be asked: How did he manage to get all this stuff there without being noticed? Yeah, he can drop his smoke bombs and pop in and out of rooms, but this was some serious construction. It would've taken time, manpower, and several visits to deck out his Batcave -- so how did he do it? And no, "because he's Batman" isn't a valid excuse here.
10 SHODDY SECURITY
Being a criminal in Gotham City must be a dream. Think about it: Everyone is so utterly useless at any form of security that you could commit a crime, get caught, and laugh as you escape. Heck, even looking at Arkham Asylum from the outside, you wouldn't be too intimidated about being locked up inside there and fleeing at a later stage.
There are so many holes in the structural plan and overall security of the asylum. It's almost comical to see how the Dark Knight navigates from room to room with full security protocols in place, but he does it without breaking a sweat.
9 ALL THE VILLAINS IN ONE PLACE
We've come to the conclusion that superhero logic is (or, can be) stupid already, but this takes it to a whole new level. Gotham City is undoubtedly the hub for psychopaths and criminals, so why would you keep them all under one roof? Yes, you could argue it's like a maximum-security prison, but it would make more sense to send them off to other areas of the country.
Additionally, isn't Killer Croc meant to be at Belle Reve since he's a member of the Suicide Squad? You don't just fling inmates from facility to facility, hoping that the rehabilitation will magically happen. There are processes to be followed, but it seems like Arkham has none.
8 THE TITAN PRODUCTION
In all fairness, a lot of people have meth labs in their homes and no one knows until there's a police tipoff. Yet, it's a bit of a head-scratcher when you consider how the Joker could've organized a Titan production facility in the botanical gardens of Arkham Asylum without being noticed. Was everyone, including the gardeners, bribed to keep quiet about all the nefarious happenings on the island?
Again, it seems implausible how all of this could be taking place without anyone noticing or asking questions. There must be shifts and guards doing their rounds. Surely, someone would've spotted something a little funky taking place in the botanical gardens?
7 THE USELESS GUARDS
You have to feel for Jim Gordon. We already know the GCPD is filled with the most incompetent policemen in the history of law enforcement. However, it seems like their apathy and laziness spread to Arkham Asylum's guards, who are cut from the same cloth as Police Academy's officers.
First off, they allow themselves to be bribed easily by psychopaths (like that's every going to turn out well). Second, when the "good" ones have to do something, they pretty much wait around for Batman to intervene. These dudes are getting paid for a service, yet they want someone else to do it for them.
6 KILLER CROC'S LAIR
Killer Croc isn't exactly the smartest villain around, but there's something about his lair in the sewers that sounds off. Like, why didn't he just escape via the sewers? Waylon Jones likes his freedom, so if he was put down there, he could easily swim away and get out.
Even if the sewers don't lead too far out of Arkham, it allows him the opportunity to get outside of the asylum's walls. From there, he could take a dive in the water and paddle across the shore to Gotham City. Considering his reptilian abilities, the swim wouldn't be too much of a stretch for him.
5 TWO-FACE'S FREEDOM
As we find out in Batman: Arkham Asylum, Harvey Dent has already transformed into Two-Face. His cell can even be found in the Penitentiary. However, Gotham's former district attorney isn't there. He's out and about, robbing the Second National Bank. But how did he get out?
If you follow canon, Road to Arkham confirms he's hospitalized due to a previous encounter with Batman, so it obviously means he escaped from the hospital. Now, who was watching him? Additionally, Batman leaves Arkham to stop Dent at the end of the game, but in Batman: Arkham City, the villain remains at large in Gotham. Something about Two-Face's story arc stinks here.
4 NO BATMAN SURVEILLANCE
Batman is as paranoid as they come. He doesn't trust anyone – including the Justice League. He's set up contingency plans in case the League ever goes rogue and he keeps tabs on all of his teammates. Honestly, he's the kind of guy who has access to your browser history and stores it in a file for later use.
This is why it's hard to believe that he had no surveillance in Arkham. He's the World's Greatest Detective. He would've installed secret cameras and kept an eye on things to ensure that everything is in order. You're telling us that he trusted the guards and warden to do the right thing? Ha!
3 THE VIGILANTE IN THE ASYLUM
Batman and Jim Gordon have a good relationship. Jim leans on him and allows him to help the GCPD put away the bad guys. However, he's still a vigilante and an outlaw. By allowing him to interact with patients in Arkham, as he does in the beginning when he escorts the Joker into the asylum, he's not only violating the inmate's rights but breaking the law as well.
It's reckless how the asylum and the GCPD allow him to do this, because a smarter lawyer would've ensured that his/her client is released due to a failure to follow due process. The Dark Knight is actually a liability here.
2 NO TABS ON HARLEY QUINN
At the time of Batman: Arkham Asylum, it was common knowledge that Harley Quinn and Joker were joined at the hip and like DC's Bonnie and Clyde. She was his accomplice and would do absolutely anything for her puddin'. As such, logic would dictate that Batman should keep a watchful eye on her – especially if her and the Clown Prince of Crime have been separated like they were at the beginning of the game.
By not keeping tabs on Harley, the Dark Knight and Jim Gordon were completely blindsided by the Joker's plan. This could've all been avoided had they bothered to ensure that Harley wasn't on the loose.
1 THE EASY ESCAPE PLAN
In Batman: Arkham Asylum, the actual asylum is on an island. For all those who've watched The Rock, starring Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage, you know why this is a bad idea. (Funnily enough, this game actually borrows numerous plots from the Michael Bay-directed movie.)
Walking around the game, you can even approach the water and see Gotham City and Wayne Towers in the distance. It's at this moment that you realize the inmates could escape the island using this route. While swimming might not be a viable option, they could easily build a raft out of items in their surroundings and make their way back to Gotham.