Catwoman DLC: Arkham City review

Platform: PS3
Released by Rocksteady

It’s a big year for the Bat – and also the Cat.

With the final part of Christopher Nolan’s take on the Batman franchise, The Dark Knight Rises, likely to chew up a huge chunk of box office glory, it’s fair to say there’s a lot of expectation on the Caped Crusader’s cowl.

But it’s also a big year for Catwoman – with Anne Hathaway under pressure to deliver a memorable performance as Selina Kyle.

And she’s got some big shoes to follow – Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer – and the latest digital Catwoman in the downloadable content section of last year’s smash hit game, Batman: Arkham City.

The slinky Cat makes some brief appearances during the main storyline of Arkham City but for those willing to splash out, there’s a chance to run riot as the cat suited Kyle, in a series of side adventures set within the same environment and skylines of Arkham.

This consists of four chapters within a sub section of the game – as well as the chance to unleash feline hell in the Riddler’s challenge sections. Armed with whip, throwing balls and spiked caltrops - plus the chance to upgrade, this Cat's got a lot to play with.

The animators have gone to town on Cats – she’s got quite the voluptuous form squeezed into (and occasionally bursting out of) a leather catsuit, whose design is very in keeping with the original look of the costume. But they’ve also given her one hell of a fluid feel when it comes to running, jumping and leaping through Arkham’s skyline; it’s thrilling to play and is such a different style to Batman himself that it makes it fun to do.

If you’re thinking that Cats won’t have as much to do as the Bat, well, you’re sort of right – but with red Riddler trophies scattered around, four mini episodes which pit her against the likes of Two Face, Poison Ivy and searching for thieves who’ve made off with her stolen loot, there’s certainly enough to distract away from the main game for a while. Plus her combat moves are stunning to watch and completely different from Batman’s rougher approach.

Throw in the chance to upgrade Catwoman’s suits and weapons as well as Riddler’s Revenge challenge maps, it’s more than substantial enough content to warrant the download.

Batman: Arkham City continues to offer up hours of gameplay and entertainment, long after the main storyline’s done – and this download really does mean that it’s a game which continues to build its own mythology and offer a lot to those willing to invest the time – and a little money.

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