Is arkham asylum worth playing after arkham city?

IMO , AA is better in some way than Batman AC but there is no doubt that both are great games that should not be missed.

I definitely think AA is a game you should check out.

You spent money on a sequal without ever playing the first game?  That's like reading 'Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets' to see if you would like 'Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone', or going to see 'Transformers: Dark of the Moon' to find out if you'd like 'Transformers'.  Spending money on a sequal without actually playing the first game is stupid, especially if the game is story driven, which the vast majority are.

They are two different types of games. AC is open world, free roam, whatever one wants to call it. Not quite big enough to be called a sandbox game, but it has an open Assassin's Creed feel to it. AA however is much more defined as a Metroidvania game.--One of my favorite genres, it was done a little better that AC. In short, yes, its worth checking out. But remember, they do play differently.

I actually liked AA over AC and I'm not sure why. I think there was just less distractions which kept me sucked into the main story line rather than going on tangents and completing side stories or collectables, but yes I think it's worth it!

To me Arkham Asylum is the better game. It offers just enough freedom to give you a feel that it is there but not enough that you start to notice the repetitive nature of what you are doing.

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Arkham City has the problem that it's too open and too many distractions. Grappling around the city is fun initially but when you've beaten the thousandth identical thug you do start to get a big feel of deja vu.

I'm gonna give a different perspective. I liked AA but I felt it was kinda boring because it basically hand held you from objective to objective and enemies only respawned if something triggered it in the story. The game world felt limited and dead. AC is more action and better overall story/presentation imo. For some people it might be ok to play them out of order but I think for most people it will end up being a letdown.

Even all things aside, just the fact that you said you have always wanted to play it should be more than enough.(I always say go with your gut instinct!) As you can see, your fellow gamers are with you on this decision. It was an excellent game and i doubt you will be disappointed! Go for the game of the year edition since it comes with a 3d setting if you have a choice.  

I believe you can get five versions of Arkham Asylum on your gamercard.

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For the 360 you've got the regular and GOTY edition. Also I've been told the Japanese version counts as a separate title.

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Then you can play the regular and GOTY editions on the PC over Games for Windows Live.

ITS VERY WORTH IT. i played it 2 years later from its original realease, and i loved it, i recommend everyone to play it before arkam city