System: Wii U
Dev: Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment
Pub: Rocksteady Studios, WB Games Montreal
Release: November 18, 2012
Players: 1
Screen Resolution: 480p-1080p	Alcohol Reference, Blood, Mild Language Suggestive Themes, Use of Tobacco, Violence

The only substantial issue I noticed with the GamePad implementation is that the screen is not a multi-touch surface, and scrolling through data screens and Batman lore gets irritating when you can't flip pages because you didn't swipe your finger hard or far enough. These menu screens would have greatly benefitted from a smaller font size and more icons on each page. Setting custom objective points is just as irritating, as it requires a double tap, which usually ends up scrolling the map rather than placing a checkpoint.

Apart from the GamePad, there is a noticeable drop in frame rate when compared with other versions, which isn't a monumental flaw, but it does interrupt the rhythm of the action more often than I'd like. Also, I was frequently met with slowdown every time I switched from Detective Mode to the regular perspective. Considering how often I scrutinize my surroundings via Detective Mode, this was an issue that really pulled me out of the fiction.

The main campaign has enough side quests and Riddler puzzles to keep you busy for many hours, but Armored Edition also gives you all the extras. The Catwoman episodes, Robin and Nightwing bundle packs, Harley Quinn's Revenge, and all the DLC character skins are present. There's even Riddler's Revenge, with an extra 213 medals to obtain through a series of entertaining challenge maps that require the use of all your combat, stealth, and gadget skills. You can even customize your own challenge maps, creating almost endless possibilities.

A lot of people are saying that Batman: Arkham City Armored Edition is only a worthwhile purchase for those who haven't previously played it. I will only agree to that supposition for those gamers who’ve already purchased all the DLC or have picked up the Game of the Year Edition. But if you've only played through the original campaign, the Wii U version should be on your gift list. Even if you don't play Batman's story again, just the extra content is enough to justify the purchase. But I have a sneaky suspicion that once you've played around with the GamePad features, you'll want to return to the main campaign and liberate Arkham City once again.

By Sean Engemann Freelance Writer Date: December 3, 2012