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The Batman: Arkham series, developed by UK-based Rocksteady Studios, has become a benchmark for superhero video games. Surpassing expectations, the series redefined the genre, offering a compelling representation of the iconic DC Comics character. Like Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed The Dark Knight trilogy, Rocksteady decided to conclude their narrative with a third installment (excluding Arkham Origins, which they didn’t develop), leaving fans both saddened and eager to witness the fate of Batman in the Arkhamverse. Batman: Arkham Knight, released in 2015, promised a thrilling conclusion, and for the most part, it delivered.

Arkham Knight

Embracing the Batman One Last Time

Rocksteady’s marketing leading up to the game’s release emphasized the phrase “Be the Batman,” promising players a truly immersive experience. Arkham Knight achieves this, evoking a range of emotions as players navigate the familiar streets of Gotham. This final chapter showcases the multifaceted nature of the Dark Knight, highlighting his prowess as a fierce combatant, a brilliant detective, a wealthy technologist, and ultimately, a symbol of justice. The gameplay builds upon the strengths of its predecessors while introducing new elements to enhance the experience.

Refined Gameplay Mechanics

The signature Free-Flow combat system returns, allowing for fluid and dynamic takedowns reminiscent of previous entries. Counters, gadget utilization, and environmental interactions create visually stunning combat sequences. The introduction of Dual Play adds a fresh dynamic, allowing players to seamlessly switch between Batman and his allies (Nightwing, Robin, and Catwoman) during combat. While the allies’ movesets lack significant differentiation from Batman’s, the tag-team takedowns are a welcome addition for fans of the DC universe.

Arkham Knight

The Predator mechanics also make a return, allowing players to utilize gadgets and the environment to silently incapacitate enemies. However, the improved enemy AI, now capable of detecting Batman’s Detective Mode, presents a greater challenge and demands more strategic planning. The removal of Dual Takedowns, replaced by the louder Fear Multi-Takedown, further emphasizes the need for careful execution.

A Desolate Gotham

Arkham Knight presents a drastically altered Gotham City. Scarecrow’s devastating chemical attack forces a city-wide evacuation, leaving only Batman, the GCPD, and his allies to confront the remaining criminal elements. The narrative, while predictable in its portrayal of Scarecrow as the ultimate antagonist, introduces a vast roster of both heroes and villains, including Penguin, Two-Face, Harley Quinn, Riddler, Firefly, Man-Bat, Deathstroke, Deacon Blackfire, Hush, Professor Pyg, and Simon Stagg. On the side of good, we see Commissioner Gordon, Oracle, Robin, Nightwing, Catwoman, Azrael, Poison Ivy, Alfred, and Lucius Fox. This impressive lineup underscores the game’s ambitious scope.

Arkham Knight

The most surprising returns are the Joker, presumed dead after Arkham City, and the introduction of the titular Arkham Knight. These characters, and their respective motivations, add intrigue to the narrative, posing questions that drive the story forward. Despite utilizing the older Unreal Engine 3, Arkham Knight boasts impressive visuals, rivaling even newer titles. The detailed character models, particularly the Batsuit V8, and the realistic environmental effects, create a visually stunning experience.

The Batmobile: A Game Changer

The Batmobile, heavily featured in pre-release marketing, proves to be a significant addition to the gameplay. Offering both Pursuit and Combat modes, the vehicle functions as both a high-speed pursuit vehicle and a heavily armed tank. The Batmobile combat, while initially engaging, becomes repetitive due to its overuse in Most Wanted side missions.

Arkham Knight

Minor Shortcomings

Despite its many strengths, Arkham Knight falls short of perfection. The main narrative’s simplicity and the repetitive nature of the Most Wanted side missions, particularly the Riddler trophies, detract from the overall experience. The requirement to complete a certain number of these missions to unlock the true ending feels unnecessarily tedious.

Arkham Knight

Conclusion

Batman: Arkham Knight, while not without its flaws, provides a satisfying conclusion to the Arkhamverse. The refined gameplay, expanded cast of characters, and the introduction of the Batmobile offer a compelling experience. However, the repetitive side missions and the overreliance on the Batmobile prevent it from reaching true greatness. While not a perfect game, Arkham Knight is a worthy sendoff for Rocksteady’s Batman.

Arkham Knight