Batman: Arkham Asylum is set in a world where Batman has once again captured the Joker, but this time the inmates have taken over Arkham Asylum. The Caped Crusader must navigate through the asylum's grounds and wings to find the maniacal Joker and put an end to his plans. Gameplay involves using stealth, detective work, and combat elements to progress through the story. Batman will receive assistance from surviving guards and information from Oracle, while facing off against some of his deadliest foes along the way.
The game features a variety of gadgets and tools at Batman's disposal, such as the grappling hook, Batarangs, and explosive gel. As players progress, they can gain experience points and level up to unlock new abilities or upgrade existing ones.
Throughout the asylum, players will encounter 240 "riddles" to solve courtesy of the Riddler, as well as various achievements and trophies to unlock on their chosen gaming platform.