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The Batman mythos, a cornerstone of DC Comics, extends far beyond the Caped Crusader himself. His rogues’ gallery and the family he’s built are integral to his enduring appeal. WB Games Montréal capitalizes on this with Gotham Knights, an open-world action RPG centered on Batman’s proteges. While not a sequel to Rocksteady’s acclaimed Batman Arkham series (Rocksteady is currently developing Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League), comparisons are inevitable, especially given WB Games Montréal’s development of Arkham City: Armored Edition and Arkham Origins. This review delves into Gotham Knights‘ strengths and weaknesses, examining whether it stands on its own merits or remains tethered to its predecessor’s legacy.

Gotham Knights opening scene

A Gotham Without Batman: The Story

Gotham Knights opens with a shocking blow: Batman’s demise at the hands of Ra’s al Ghul, leader of the League of Assassins. A brutal confrontation culminates in Batman, weakened and recognizing his impending defeat, sacrificing himself and destroying the Batcave to prevent Ra’s al Ghul, empowered by the Lazarus Pit, from further devastation. He places his faith in his trained proteges: Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, and Red Hood, leaving them to protect Gotham in his absence. The game follows this quartet as they grapple with their mentor’s death, investigate the circumstances surrounding it, and strive to fill the void left by Bruce Wayne.

Strengths: A Narrative Focus and Character Development

Gotham Knights Characters

Gotham Knights excels in its narrative and character development. Batman’s death, though occurring early in the game, acts as a powerful catalyst, driving the story forward and impacting the emotional core of each character. The four playable characters are given equal weight and development, preventing any single narrative from overshadowing the others. Red Hood (Jason Todd) and Alfred Pennyworth are particularly compelling.

Jason, initially portrayed as impulsive and prone to violence, reluctantly collaborates with the team. His character arc showcases growth and vulnerability as he learns to work with his fellow Knights and offers support to Robin (Tim Drake) in coping with Batman’s loss.

Red Hood

Alfred, while not a biological relative, serves as a father figure to Bruce Wayne. His grief is portrayed with subtle power, choosing to support the Knights in their mission rather than succumbing to despair. He understands Gotham’s need for its protectors, even at a great personal cost.

The other Knights also experience significant growth. Robin struggles to forge his own identity beyond being Batman’s sidekick. Nightwing takes on a leadership role, and Batgirl confronts the earlier loss of her father, Commissioner Gordon. These interwoven narratives add depth and complexity to the characters, transforming them from mere avatars into fully realized individuals.

Alfred

Beyond the narrative, the distinct combat styles of each Knight are a welcome addition. Though all trained by Batman, their approaches to combat differ significantly. Nightwing utilizes agility and acrobatics, focusing on dodging and counterattacks to build Momentum for special abilities. Batgirl favors direct, powerful strikes, making her effective against bosses. The diverse skill trees and upgrade systems further enhance this variety, allowing players to tailor each Knight’s combat style to their preference.

Batgirl combat

The gear system, while largely cosmetic reskins with stat boosts, offers a wide array of costumes, ranging from modern military-inspired suits to classic comic book designs. The absence of microtransactions is also refreshing, allowing players to unlock all gear through gameplay. Seamless two-player co-op adds another layer of enjoyment, making challenging encounters more manageable through teamwork.

Gotham Knights Gear

Weaknesses: Falling Short of the Arkham Standard

Gotham Knights combat

Despite its strengths, Gotham Knights struggles to escape the shadow of the Arkham games. While the combat system is initially engaging, with a variety of moves and combos, it falters when facing specialized enemies. These enemies, while conceptually similar to those in Arkham Knight, are poorly designed, requiring specific counter strategies that disrupt the flow of combat. For example, large, ice-gauntlet wielding enemies create ice fields around them, punishing players who attempt instinctive counterattacks. This highlights a lack of polish in enemy design, failing to achieve the seamless combat flow of the Arkham series.

Gotham Knights combat encounter

The Batcycle, while a welcome departure from the Batmobile, lacks functionality. It serves solely as transportation, devoid of any combat or utility features. Even basic upgrades are absent, limiting player agency. Stealth mechanics are also simplified, potentially to highlight Robin’s skillset, but ultimately feel less impactful.

Batcycle

Missed Opportunities and Technical Shortcomings

Several missed opportunities detract from the overall experience. The inability to replay completed missions prevents players from experiencing character-specific dialogue and revisiting well-designed environments. The lack of a challenge mode limits opportunities to hone combat and stealth skills. While co-op is enjoyable, the absence of AI companions restricts the use of dual-character takedowns to multiplayer sessions.

Stealth Takedown

Finally, the game’s technical performance is disappointing. Targeting only current-gen consoles, the 30fps cap feels outdated for an action-heavy title. Many players would gladly sacrifice resolution for a smoother 60fps experience.

Gotham Knights environment

Conclusion: A Promising Foundation, But Room for Improvement

Gotham Knights Main Menu

Gotham Knights presents a compelling narrative and strong character development, successfully exploring the Batman mythos beyond the titular hero. However, it falls short in key areas, particularly combat and technical performance, struggling to reach the high bar set by the Arkham series. While it provides an enjoyable experience, addressing these weaknesses would elevate Gotham Knights from a good game to a truly great one.