In the Batman universe The Riddler has always (with the exception of the Hush series) been somewhat of a punching bag. A swollen bag of hot air, consistently talking a big game only to fall well short of fulfilling his grandiose diatribes.

In Batman: Arkham City, Rocksteady’s anticipated sequel, however Edward Nigma will be taking on a darker, more sinister role.

Hungarian website PC Guru received this exclusive look at The Riddler’s more involved role in the Dark Knight’s upcoming (Oct. 18 US/Oct. 21 UK) venture.

When we last saw The Riddler in Batman: Arkham Asylum he was a bubbling mess of a man having again been shown his intellectual place below that of the Dark Knight Detective. His trophies and queries while interesting and mildly thought-provoking amounted to little more than a distraction from the main quest.

Well nowadays Nigma’s inferiority complex is culminating in the taking of hostages. It would appear that our cute villain has become a bonafide psychopath.

We know that The Riddler trophies will be returning for Batman: Arkham City but this time around solving the brain-teasers will hold the lives of innocents in the balance.

Let us know what you think about the proposition of a darker, more involved Riddler.

For more Batman: Arkham City coverage check out 10+ minutes of gameplay footage and read up on some of the game’s finer details.