It’s been five years since Batman: Arkham Knight released and fans of the premium superhero game are patiently waiting for more. They’ve been scouring the internet after a mysterious tweet implied a Court of Owls adaptation. Fans finally got their first look at the next Batman game, Gotham Knights, during the DC FanDome on August 22.
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The trailer and short gameplay showed off the new multiplayer component and confirmed the Court of Owls. Many people met the trailer with a mix of excitement and worry. It revealed a formula change that may transition the series from its narrative-driven roots.
10 Excited: The Court of Owls
The Court of Owls, a Batman storyline by Scott Snyder, was one of the best comic runs of recent history for its deep examination of Batman’s idealogy. The Court of Owls is an organization that ruled Gotham in secret, putting a strain on Batman’s relationship with the city.
The Owls are a powerful threat that pushed Batman to the brink of insanity like no other antagonist before. The Gotham Knights trailer gave fans hope that the source material will be handled well. It successfully captured the horror and creepiness of these owl mimicking foes.
9 Worried: The Combat
The excellent combat system from the original Arkham games spawned a series of copycats trying to master Rocksteady’s mechanics. Every punch felt powerful and combat would turn into a fluent and addictive romp of bone breaking. It was simple on face value – attack and counter – but Rocksteady added different enemy types and gadgets to spice up the experience.
The Gotham Knights gameplay footage showed some combat that was less than promising. Enemies seemed more like bullet sponges with health bars, diminishing the brutality and free-flowing nature of the original’s combat.
8 Excited: It’s Not A Live Service Game
There was a trend in gaming where the single-player experience was getting less and less popular. Games like God of War put a pin in that idealogy but fans were worried that Rocksteady and Warner Bros would halt their focus on single-player narrative. Marvel’s Avengers, a live service game, has received a lot of criticisms about the lack of diverse gameplay across each character and it simply being a cash grab.
The introduction of Gotham Knights did not clearly define the type of game it will be. The gameplay, though, raised the live service flag: ranked enemies, co-op, and a focus on gear. Luckily, Warner Bros confirmed via an interview with IGN that their game will not be live service.
7 Worried: The Co-op
One of the biggest downfalls of a live service game is the narrative. The above confirmation eased some fears but co-op is still a worrisome feature. Co-op can be a great addition to the game if done right. Exploring Gotham and taking on missions with a friend sounds like a fun idea.
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The worry goes back to the narrative. It will be difficult to make a streamlined narrative when players can choose when they want to play certain characters. The hope is that each character will fit into the overarching narrative and the story would make sense no matter who you play as.
6 Excited: Gotham City
The Arkham games of the past had an empty world. Arkham City was a sectioned off part of Gotham where inmates roamed the streets, and Arkham Knight featured an evacuated Gotham. Gamers never got to experience Gotham fully, with its bustling streets, traffic, and relentless crime.
It was confirmed through a Game Informer interview that this new Gotham will feel much more alive than before. The current technology may allow players to explore a Gotham that is accurately realized from the comics. There will be five distinct districts, giving Gotham a variety of personalities and environments.
5 Worried: The Mr. Freeze Boss Fight
The Mr. Freeze fight from Arkham City defied the norms of a boss fight. It tasked players with using gadgets and the environment to take down Mr. Freeze. The catch was that the villain adapted to the player’s attacks by limiting Batman’s toolset with his freeze gun.
This caused players to think on their feet and find new avenues of attack. The boss fight from Gotham Knights lost all the creativity. Players simply had to punch Mister Freeze until his health bar went down. The brief segment is forboding because Gotham Knights may rely on tedious and mundane gameplay formulas.
4 Excited: The Bat Family
Batman usually steals the show from the other characters in the roster. In reality, the bat family features a long range of diverse and deep characters that don’t get the attention they deserve. Gotham Knights will allow players to be Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, and Red Hood. Each character will bring different characteristics to the gameplay.
Red Hood is notorious for his more violent approach and usage of firearms while Batgirl will probably focus on classic Batman tools. People complain that there is no Batman, but this provides the capability to fight crime in different and unique ways.
3 Worried: It’s WB Games
Batman Arkham Origins is not a bad game but it did not live up to Rocksteady’s standards. Some of the boss fights, like the one with Deadshot, were boring, there was a lack of new gadgets, and the counter system did not work too well.
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This causes some need for worry but not much. Gotham Knights is not in the same universe as the Arkham games so WB games has the opportunity to put a new twist on the formula. This could be for better or for worse … only time will tell.
2 Excited: A Gotham Without Batman
It’s always interesting to see what happens when the main hero is gone. It gives sidelined heroes the opportunity to step up and it gives villains the opportunity to strike without remorse. Hopefully, fans will get a good grasp of what Gotham turns into without its main protector.
Batman’s absence also adds a greater sense of mystery to the story. For the most part, players know how Batman acts and how people react to him. His death allows for an exploration of new surprises and concepts. Lastly, the question of “is Batman really dead?” leads to an intriguing story that may eventually lead to his dramatic return.
1 Worried: The Batcycle
In theory, the batmobile is a welcome addition to the Arkham games. Arkham Knight, though, disappointed players for its usage of Batman’s signature vehicle. It relied too much on the batmobile for environmental puzzles and vehicular combat.
The batcycle appears in the Gotham Knight’s gameplay but it wasn’t shown in great detail. Fans have to cross their fingers that it is utilized in a better fashion than the tanky batmobile from Arkham Knight.