Reclaiming Asylum.

The VGA's produced a multitude of things we should know about the gaming world. First, Meghan Fox will only win things because she's hot. Second, Green Day has achieved "Rock Band" status. And finally, Mark Hammill is a dirty rotten liar when he said he was done playing the Joker because there is a brand spanking new trailer out confirming the existence of Batman: Arkham Asylum 2 (if this is the actual title of the game I want Paul Dini to run me over with the Batmobile and harvest my organs with a Batarang).

My first thought of the game: awesome and a no brainer. The first game was fun, sold like crazy and was given great reviews. A sequel is smart and a great way to build a franchise. Plus with already solid controls there is no need to reinvent the wheel. The developers will most likely add some sort of new gameplay style that adds to the experience (my gut tells me driving the Batmobile but I'd like to see some sort of complex puzzle solving too).

Here's some of my thoughts on the trailer that was released. First off, the game definetly takes place in at least some of Gotham. That much is clear. To what extent I'm unsure, but I'd like it to be somewhat smaller than a sprawling massive city. The great thing about the first game is that while the area was huge, it wasn't too big as to ruin the atmosphere of the story. Plus you'll care more about the area you're fighting in, instead of it being just one of many places that could use your help. Second, the trailer plays in deception vs reality as much as the Joker does. As pointed out by IGN, some parts of the trailer seem crudely edited in against the otherwise detailed setting. For example, the gate of the new Arkham looks very makeshift compared to the rest of the trailer. Second of all, Harley Quinn (who is mysteriously silent) is still wearing the same outfit she wore in the first game, as is the Joker. Not to mention the people in the street look awefully familiar to the goons you beat up in Arkham the first go-around. So is this a trick to throw us off what the new game is really about? Or is it exactly as it appears? All I know is that with the Joker involved, answering that question won't be easy.

Here's my thoughts on who will appear in the next game as well. First off, Batman. Duh. But in what state we are unsure. There's the debate of whether the Joker is old or just ill. In my honest opinion, I think this game does NOT take place in the future for a few reasons. Rocksteady wouldn't want to make all the characters old for the sake of story. They can do more by making this game an actual sequel to the first game as apposed to a standalone adventure. Think of how the first game ended. Bane gets his hands on the Titan serum and Batman rushes off to stop TwoFace. As far as we know, the game could pick up right from there, and the trailer we saw is merely what Joker makes of the city in his inevitable escape. We know that the Joker, Harley Quinn and Two Face are all in the sequel. But I think that the Penguin could make an appearance (hence the Iceberg Lounge) and Black Mask as well (hence Sionis). Who knows? Rocksteady could do something as classic as a Villain gang war or as dangerous as a Villain team up (Joker and Two Face?) I'm leaning toward gang war because of the poster of Two Face (Uncle Sam I want you poster) being torn up and the graffiti of "Long Live Joker". Not to mention the mass anarchy in the streets as Joker watches.

Anyway, that's my take. And since I'm not Batman expert, I could really use another opinion on this. Leave a comment and vote in the poll (choose multiple answers if you want). Thanks for reading! :D