 |
| A screengrab from Gotham Knight's multiplayer mode |
For over a decade, one name has been synonymous with superhero gaming excellence: Batman: Arkham. It’s a series that didn’t just raise the bar—it became the bar. It all started in 2009 when WB Games unleashed Batman: Arkham Asylum upon the world. This wasn't just another licensed game; it was a revelation. The tight, metroidvania-style exploration, the freeflow combat that made you feel like the Dark Knight, and a story dripping with gothic atmosphere captivated players and critics alike.
Its success was so monumental that it earned a Guinness World Record for the "Most Critically Acclaimed Superhero Videogame." Incredibly, that crown was passed just two years later to its own sequel, the genre-defining open-world masterpiece, Batman: Arkham City. To this day, the series collectively holds the Guinness World Record for the "most critically acclaimed superhero videogame series", a testament to its unparalleled impact on narrative, gameplay, and its iconic, gritty portrayal of Gotham City and its infamous rogues' gallery.
A New Chapter in a World Without Batman
In 2022, the Bat-signal went dark. WB Games presented a new vision with Gotham Knights, a game that walked in the shadow of a giant but aimed to tell its own story. Moving beyond Bruce Wayne, the game puts players in the boots of the Bat-family—Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood—tasked with protecting a grieving Gotham after Batman's apparent death.
The premise was compelling. Each hero brought a unique playstyle, arsenal, and abilities to tackle a sprawling, open-world Gotham. The core loop involved patrolling the city, tackling criminal activities in side-missions, and leveling up your characters while unraveling the central mystery: what truly happened to Batman, and who is pulling the strings in his absence? You can see the core quartet in action in the official launch trailer here.
Facing the Weight of Expectations
Launching in the wake of the Arkham legacy was a double-edged sword. Gotham Knights received a mixed but warm reception. Many fans, drawing direct comparisons to Rocksteady's tightly crafted worlds, felt it didn't meet the lofty standards set by its spiritual predecessors. Criticism often focused on mission repetition and a gameplay loop that, while familiar, felt less potent in a larger, more traditional open world compared to the curated zones of Arkham.
However, a strong contingent of players and critics argue that Gotham Knights is best enjoyed on its own terms. When viewed not as "Arkham's successor" but as a cooperative-focused, live-service-lite RPG about a family of heroes finding their way, the game finds its stride. The dynamic between the four Knights, the deep customization, and the fresh take on Gotham offer a distinct experience that has cultivated a dedicated fanbase.
This is reflected in its "Mostly Positive" rating on Steam, based on over 16,000 positive reviews. And for those who haven't yet answered the call, there's never been a better time to step into the legacy. Gotham Knights is frequently on sale, and you can currently check out the latest deal and add it to your Steam library to see if this new guard has what it takes to protect Gotham.
The Verdict: Two Sides of the Same Coin
The journey from Batman: Arkham to Gotham Knights showcases the evolution of the superhero genre in gaming. One is a near-universally acclaimed, single-player narrative masterpiece that defined a generation. The other is a ambitious, multiplayer-driven evolution that, despite its stumbles, carves out a unique identity in a post-Batman world.
Whether you're revisiting the hallowed halls of Arkham Asylum or patroling the neon-drenched streets of Gotham Knights' open world, one thing is clear: the legacy of the Dark Knight and his protégés continues to be one of the most compelling experiences in gaming. The baton has been passed; it's up to players to decide if they embrace the new direction.