Batman games are a lot like Batman movies: some are really good, while others just plain suck. Despite a few quiet years, things are currently looking up for the Dark Knight. On the movie front, we'll be getting a new director and a new actor as Batman, and the word on the streets is that Joel Schumacher will be shot on sight if he is within 2 kilometres of the set. So with the big-screen future fairly secure, fans of the Bat should have high-hopes for the other aspects of the franchise, and thankfully, Batman: Rise of Sin Tzu is a step in the right direction.

This latest caped-caper is a revolutionary moment in the history of the series, as it is the very first time an all-new super-villain has been introduced in a video game. Not only that, but it is The Scarecrow's first virtual appearance too, so for fans of the series, the Rise of Sin Tzu (ROST) is a piece of history and should have a definite spot in their collection.

What starts as a fairly dull night of pummeling petty purse snatchers takes a drastic turn as super-villain spot fires start breaking out across the city...mainly because the super-villains themselves have been broken out of Arkham Asylum by a shadowy figure known as Sin Tzu, who is the mastermind behind this axis of super-evil. Indeed, before you even get close to this diabolical new nemesis you will have to battle your way past the likes of Scarecrow, Clayface and Bane.

Thankfully, Batman will not face this tide of tyranny alone. He is joined by Batgirl, Nightwing, and the new Robin, all of whom are playable characters within the game. In fact, if you've got a favourite, you can play through the entire single-player campaign without ever using Batman, although he does show up in all the cutscenes regardless of who you choose. You'd better choose well too, because you will often be facing some very tough opponents and odds!

At this point the boss battles simply have to be mentioned, as they are the most well executed and enjoyable duels in a long time. Nowadays, less and less games seem to use the system of an end-of-level super baddie, but in a game based on Batman you just knew they would be present. Rather than being yawn or groan inducing however, facing off with your arch-nemeses has never been so much fun. For example, facing off against Scarecrow entails hunting an invisible enemy through clouds of fear gas, with only the ripples in the mist giving away his position.

While the boss battles are quite fun, there are some spots where the odds are just so high, or your time limit is so short, that you will be stuck replaying that level half a dozen times before finally succeeding. This can be extremely irritating, as some of the levels are quite long. While there are mid-mission checkpoints, these can be few and far between. Even on the normal setting, ROST can be a frustratingly difficult game in spots, so if you're one of those gamers who hates being stuck in a certain spot, be forewarned.

There is plenty of incentive to keep up the BIFF! SOCK! KABLAM! however, as there are plenty of unlockable goodies in the Rise of Sin Tzu, both in-game and extras. This Batman offering has an rpg-esque quality to it, as you can unlock dozens of new moves for your preferred hero. Think combos, throws and special weapons, with a nifty double-team move that can be unlocked for your co-op pleasure. Extras-wise you are mainly treated to artwork, such as concept art, comic book covers and similar eye-candy.

Speaking of eye-candy, ROST is a pleasant surprise visually, especially compared to some of the ho-hum earlier Batman games. The game looks very much like a 3D version of the animated Batman cartoon on TV, only even prettier. Fog will swirl and move as you run through it, puddles reflect the sky and nearby objects, and the lighting and shadows look excellent too. The boss battles are really the graphical showcase, and do a brilliant job of capturing the larger-than-life nature of your opponents, especially Clayface.

Batman: the Rise of Sin Tzu sports a somewhat out of place soundtrack, which may have you scratching your head at first at the unusual rock/techno music. Regardless of this, it sounds great and sets the mood far better than anything orchestral could. The voice acting in the game is pretty decent, but hardly memorable, and many of the one liners are cringe-worthy, made worse by incessant repetition. Thankfully, it is almost always drowned out by the staple smacks and cracks of cartoon combat, all of which sound absolutely spot on for this type of game.

A welcome addition to the game is the inclusion of full co-operative play support. You can take a sidekick through the entire campaign from start to finish, or add a partner midway through. On top of this, there are a number of special challenge modes that can be unlocked, which you can also tackle competitively against a friend. The only gripe is that both players must be on a single screen together, which means if one of you goes left and the other goes right, someone has to concede and follow the other or the game view will not shift. This can be confusing, and give your opponents cheap shots from off-screen. Nevertheless, both the multiplayer modes can be a lot of fun, and add a new dimension to the life of the title.