Rocksteady Games and Eidos have just announced the development of Batman Arkham Asylum for the PC. The game, which will also be released for the PS3 and the Xbox has a tentative 2009 launch date.

The initial screenshots for Arkham Asylum look promising. Note that the Joker has the Heath Ledger “look”. Meanhwile, the game runs on the Unreal Engine 3. 1Up has reported that it is played “from a third-person, over-the-shoulder view, with emphasis both on combat and detective work.” 

Check out the screenies, girls…

More Arkham Asylum Screenshots

Lastly, the game’ fighting system works “with just three buttons — attack, stun, and throw. There will also be stealth (or as the developers call it, “predatory”) elements to the action, and some boss fights will even incorporate Zelda-like puzzle solving, with Batman needing to use his gadgets in certain ways to take down foes. The detective elements will also focus on puzzle solving, with gameplay features similar to Metroid Prime’s scanner visor — Batman will use a visor that’ll highlight “points of interest,” as well as forensic devices that, as one example, will allow him to detect and follow trails of fingerprints.”

Via 1Up