A good script goes a long way in gaming. Look at GTA and Borderlands. Both series romp clear in the race for pin-sharp dialogue and are an example to studios who should know better.

This, the fourth in the Arkham series, sees development return to the studio responsible for the first two (Asylum and City), both far superior to the shonky third (Origins).

But the script... come on, Batman is one gruff, brooding loner, he does not gently lob an 'over my dead body' remark to Poison Ivy (who dutifully smashes back the obligatory 'that's the idea', surprising no gamer ever).

And there's something weird going on with Bats' eyeballs. He doesn't look right. A little simple maybe. That might explain some of his goofier 'here's where I describe the plot like a children's picture book' moments.

However, medium-sized whinges aside, Arkham Knight is a far better beast than the similarly arranged Origins, beefed up by a sweet Batmobile that throttles physics with its deft building-climbing abilities.

Also of note is just how tiny developers Rocksteady have chosen to make Poison Ivy's undies. I don't expect her to be given a full-length ballgown or corduroy knickerbockers, but the girl is practically naked, for plop's sake.

So the story concerns Brucie's longtime pal Scarecrow who's rather keen on turning Gotham's citizens into psychotic killers. One cafeteria demonstration later and six million people flee the city. Impressive, if a little rough on the smooth skin of reality.

This leaves Gotham free for the city's scum and villainy, but also for Batman's devil-may-care attitude to safe driving. No innocent citizens polluting the streets means anyone stuck on the Batmobile's tyres deserves all he gets.

And then there's the mysterious Arkham Knight, Scarecrow's chum in a grand plan to cast Batman into the afterlife or similar.

The main story is befriended by a screed of additional side missions, as befits a sandbox title of this nature.

Combat is a matter of the usual button-mashing combos, gliding in for flying kicks, picking off goons from the shadows and generally sneaking about in an effort not to get slapped about the chops.

Graphically Arkham Knight is a peach, with designs clearly ripped straight from a comic book, although which comic gives Batman the eyes of a laughing muppet is beyond me.

For the most part, AK is a gorgeous treat. It's just a shame more time wasn't spent plucking all the cliches from such a tired-sounding script.