While Batman has risen to the height of popularity among superheroes in popular culture — making numerous appearances in film, television and games — the “Batman: Arkham” series is, so far, the best way to be the Dark Knight besides donning the caped crusader’s cowl yourself.

In “Batman: Arkham Origins,” the third game in this action franchise, you play a young and unrefined Batman, two years into his career. This character makes his way around Gotham City and fights for justice wherever he can. And players will be happy to learn this prequel actually plays better than its predecessors “Arkham Asylum” and “Arkham City.”

The improved feel comes courtesy of the FreeFlow combat style, as well as an enhanced detective mode. Adding to the enjoyable combat is a new gadget called a Remote Claw, which attaches enemies to one another or to an object for a quick takedown. However, the weapon’s efficiency and ease-of-use shows an obvious and unfortunate inconsistency — you wonder why Batman did not use it in the other games.

The premise is quite simple as well. Rather than exploring how Bruce Wayne became Batman, “Origins” explores Batman’s history after the story most fans know, and it focuses on some of his biggest foes like Killer Croc, Bane and Black Mask. The game opens with Batman chasing Black Mask through a prison but failing to catch him. But he soon discovers Black Mask hired eight of the world’s deadliest assassins to kill Batman. The hunter becomes the hunted, as Batman tracks Black Mask and his accomplices while fending off familiar faces like Deathstroke and lesser known foes like Electrocutioner.

The plot of the game fits the standard gauntlet format, where the player fights a series of adversaries before finally reaching the big boss. However, the beauty of the “Arkham” game series is the mystery of the story. In these games, players are left to wonder with whom Black Mask is working, who else is following Black Mask and who is a friend or foe. Players receive an intense action game with a lot of detective work sprinkled in as well.

But the game’s combat makes “Origins” shine. The FreeFlow fighting system puts the player through a fighting sequence so intricate it feels ripped from live-action “Batman” films. And while some players might be confused about their next move, the detective mode offers a thrilling challenge for seasoned fans. The new Case File system — where players use evidence to simulate what happened at a crime scene — improves on the franchise’s formula.

Ultimately, “Batman: Arkham Origins” works whether it is played by those familiar with “Arkham Asylum” or “Arkham City,” but it also appeals to Batman fans who have never experience the franchise’s games.

Marcus Jones is a staff writer. Email him at [email protected].