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After the immense success of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, Rocksteady Studios passed the torch to Warner Bros. Games Montreal to develop the next chapter in the Batman Arkham series. Naturally, skepticism arose amongst gamers, echoing the doubts Rocksteady faced with Arkham Asylum. Creating a quality debut title is challenging enough for a young studio, but inheriting a beloved franchise adds immense pressure. Could Warner Bros. Games Montreal live up to Rocksteady’s legacy? Could Batman: Arkham Origins stand alongside its predecessors? Let’s delve into this prequel and explore its strengths and weaknesses.

Batman fighting enemies in Arkham Origins

A Captivating Christmas Crime

Wisely, Warner Bros. Games Montreal chose not to directly follow Arkham City’s narrative. Instead, Arkham Origins explores a younger, less experienced Batman early in his career. While still honing his skills, Batman has already made a significant impact on Gotham’s criminal underworld, attracting the ire of Black Mask. To eliminate the burgeoning threat, Black Mask hires eight deadly assassins: Deathstroke, Deadshot, Bane, Copperhead, Electrocutioner, Firefly, Lady Shiva, and Killer Croc, to hunt down Batman on Christmas Eve. The game follows Batman as he attempts to uncover Black Mask’s plot while simultaneously fending off these relentless assassins.

The plot unfolds at a deliberate pace, unraveling mysteries and conspiracies that culminate with the arrival of Batman’s arch-nemesis, the Joker. The narrative’s twists and turns, interwoven with thrilling action sequences, create a cinematic experience that keeps players engaged until the very end.

Batman grappling in Arkham Origins

Exploring the Emotional Depths of Gotham

Beyond the main storyline, Arkham Origins delves into smaller, interconnected narratives that add emotional depth to the game. We see the origins of the Joker’s madness, the complex relationship between Batman and James Gordon, and Harley Quinn’s descent into villainy. These interwoven stories create a rich tapestry of character development and emotional resonance.

Close up of Batman's face in Arkham Origins

Audio-Visual Excellence in a Familiar Engine

Utilizing the Unreal 3 engine, Arkham Origins builds upon the visual foundation of its predecessors, incorporating new effects and technologies to create a stunning visual experience. Surprisingly, the game achieves this graphical fidelity without demanding high system requirements and maintains a stable frame rate. Gotham City is significantly larger than in Arkham City, yet retains impressive detail. The Christmas setting imbues the city with a chilling atmosphere, and smaller areas within the game are meticulously crafted.

Arkham Origins cityscape at night

Character models are meticulously detailed, with Batman sporting a full suit of armor, a departure from the tighter suit of previous games. Villains like Deathstroke, Joker, Bane, and Copperhead are reimagined with striking new designs. The impressive visuals are complemented by a stellar soundtrack and voice acting. While Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill are absent, Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker deliver compelling performances as Batman and Joker, respectively, capturing the essence of these iconic characters. The supporting cast also delivers strong performances, contributing to the game’s immersive quality.

Batman fighting Copperhead in Arkham Origins

Extensive Gameplay and Replay Value

Completing the main storyline takes approximately 15 hours, but achieving 100% completion requires significantly more time. The “Most Wanted” side missions feature notorious criminals like Mad Hatter and Penguin, each with unique storylines that expand the game’s world. Riddler is replaced by his predecessor, Enigma, and Enigma Data Packs take the place of Riddler Trophies, scattered throughout Gotham. Numerous challenges further extend the game’s replayability.

Batman using detective vision in Arkham Origins

A Younger Batman, Yet Too Experienced

While portraying a less experienced, more impulsive Batman was a sound decision, the execution falls short. This younger Batman still exhibits a level of combat prowess and tactical thinking beyond his years. He battles Deathstroke, a formidable assassin capable of matching Batman blow for blow, on nearly equal footing, which feels inconsistent with the premise. The challenge from enemies only becomes apparent towards the end of the game. Disappointingly, only six of the eight assassins are featured prominently, with the remaining two relegated to underwhelming “Most Wanted” encounters.

Batman gliding in Arkham Origins

A Disappointing Debut for Multiplayer

Arkham Origins introduces the first multiplayer mode in the series, developed by Splash Damage. Players are divided into two teams led by Bane and Joker, while Batman and Robin operate as a neutral stealth faction. The multiplayer suffers from a significant imbalance. Bane possesses overwhelming strength, and Joker wields a deadly pistol, while Batman and Robin are easily dispatched by even basic enemies. Furthermore, the combat system is clunky, with rudimentary cover mechanics, stiff animations, and awkward shooting controls.

Multiplayer screenshot from Arkham Origins

Familiar Gameplay, Glitches, and a Deserted Gotham

Arkham Origins largely retains the gameplay mechanics of its predecessors. While the “Free-flow” combat remains engaging, the additions of a couple of new gadgets don’t offer significant innovation. Even the upgrade system is essentially identical, with only a superficial change in the interface. The detective sequences, intended to add depth, are too brief and linear. Batman’s Detective Vision allows him to reconstruct crime scenes, but the game provides excessive hints, leaving little for the player to deduce.

Multiplayer screenshot from Arkham Origins

Perhaps the most jarring flaw is the absence of civilians in Gotham. While the absence of citizens in Arkham City was justified by the city’s status as a quarantined prison, no such explanation is offered here. This lack of population deprives Gotham of vitality. The game also suffers from numerous glitches that disrupt gameplay, ranging from minor inconveniences to progression-blocking bugs, such as the inability to crawl through a vent during a mission involving Penguin.

Batman looking over Gotham in Arkham Origins

Conclusion: A Flawed but Entertaining Prequel

Batman: Arkham Origins, while flawed, provides an engaging prequel story with a captivating narrative, stunning visuals, and satisfying combat. However, its shortcomings in character portrayal, multiplayer execution, and technical issues prevent it from reaching the heights of its predecessors. Despite these flaws, Arkham Origins offers a worthwhile experience for Batman fans and those seeking a thrilling action-adventure.