Rocksteady

Brad's back with a vengeance, smacking down accusations that he's playing The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim incorrectly. Also: The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Corpse Party, Fate/Extra, and, at last, our semi-epic fight over Batman: Arkham City. Plus: Details on how you can win BIG in our BIG holiday contest. With Brad Gallaway, Mike Bracken, Richard Naik, and Tim "BIG" Spaeth.

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Links:

• Batman: Arkham City Review
• Corpse Party Review
• Fate/Extra Review
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Review
• The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim Second Opinion

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I'm Batman

HIGH Taking down Mr. Freeze.

LOW "That crazy bitch!" "I'll make you meow bitch!" "I want you to tear that bitch apart!" "Two guns, bitch!"

WTF Who the hell thought that creating Arkham City was a good idea?

It's unfortunate that the console video game industry has come to locking out single-player content to combat used game sales. The case of Batman: Arkham City is closing in on a feared worst-case scenario.

Getting closer to the end of my "must-plays" of 2009, I just wrapped up Batman: Arkham Asylum on the PS3 a few minutes ago. I've got to say, this is one of those extremely rare times when I felt that all of the praise and accolades given to the game were well and truly deserved.

When in doubt, there is always a vent

HIGH The Scarecrow encounters.

LOW The omnipresent hint system that can't be turned off.

WTF Poison Ivy over Mr. Freeze? Seriously?

Unlike Dan, I didn’t think that’s turning a riot cop into a hero was that great a leap considering that the world in its current state has so many things for the average American to be afraid of—at least, according to the current administration.

There are few more frightening and iconic figures than the riot control police officer. Dressed entirely in black with faces obscured, carrying clubs and grenade launchers, viciously beating people as they lie helpless on the ground. Their worldwide uniformity makes it seem as if there's a single organization out there passionately dedicated to clubbing the world's protestors. This makes Urban Chaos: Riot Response an unbelievably hard sell, as it portrays those very stormtroopers as the game's heroes entirely non-ironically.

According to ESRB, this game contains: Blood and Gore, Strong Language, Intense Violence

Game Description: Urban Chaos: Riot Response puts you on the streets of a decaying city in modern day America. Gang warfare is destroying its interior, and you've been authorized by the government to meet them with a military response. Use a mix of lethal and non-lethal means to take the city's enemies down. Start out on your own, but as you play you'll recruit local police, firemen and EMTs into your unit, creating a local army that's powerful enough t o take the gangs down once and for all.