The thing about Batman is that the various version of it such as comics, TV shows and movies etc have given us wildly different ideas about the hero. The 70's TV show and the more recent films have a more camp approach, but the first movies, and most of the comic books have his story painted in a much darker light. Thankfully, with Kemco's 'Batman: Dark Tomorrow' they're going for the darker side of the picture.

'Dark Tomorrow' promises to be the first Batman game based whole on the DC Comics, not the 4 movies, not the cartoon series, and not the ultra-camp 70's show (though I find the idea of a game based on this strangely appealing...). In fact, there's even a veteran Batman writer working on the project, Scott Peterson, along with former Square employee Kenji Terada (who worked on the original 3 Final Fantasy games) to ensure that the game has not only an intriguing plot, with plenty of twists, but that it also works as a video game.

The story puts you in a Gotham City swept by a crime wave. Four rival gangs fight for turf, with fires, shootings and murders commonplace. Worse still, Commissioner Gordon goes missing, and it is feared that he has been kidnapped. It's down to you, as the Dark Knight, Batman, to investigate, and save the Commissioner. Kemco describe the title as a "third-person action adventure with stealth elements, hand to hand combat and trap evasion." Which is quite a mouth-full. Creating a balance between stealth and combat should make for an exciting gaming experience. Do you find another way around a room full of foes, or go in and take them all out? If the game isn't too linear, and you're able to make choices like this then game play will certainly benefit.

Of course, Batman wouldn't be Batman without his utility belt full of gadgets, and 'Dark Tomorrow' gives you the chance to use them. Mini-computer, smoke pellets, Batarang, Batgrapple, Batcuffs and others will all make an appearance, and should add to many aspects of the game, from the combat to the more explorative parts of the game. Areas featured in the game will be familiar to Batman fanatics, from Gotham City to the Batcave, and from Gazette Square to the Arkham Asylum. The dark graphical style of the game brings these to life perfectly, with highly impressive character models and cut scenes. Many memorable villains also appear in the game to hinder Batman along the way, including Black Mask, the Ratcatcher, Killer Croc, Poison Ivy, the Joker and Mr. Freeze. Kemco are also suggesting there will be more surprises, though how they can include all villains of these to any depth and keep the story flowing along remains to be seen.

'Batman: Dark Tomorrow' certainly has potential. Third person action adventures have had problems with the camera in the past, so if Kemco can make this work adequately, and the story delivers all it promises it could be a big hit. Kemco have certainly had time to iron out any difficulties, with two huge delays so far. It was originally said to be a ready for the European GameCube launch line-up, then pushed back to November, now we're expecting it in March. Let's hope that it's every bit as good as it has the potential to be.