Batman: Arkham Knight is a 2015 action-adventure video game developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. It is the fourth and final installment in the Batman: Arkham series, following Batman: Arkham Asylum (2009), Batman: Arkham City (2011), and Batman: Arkham Origins (2013). The game is set in an open-world version of Gotham City and is primarily focused on the character of Batman as he faces his most dangerous foes.
Key Features:
- Story:
- The plot centers around the emergence of the mysterious Arkham Knight, a new villain who harbors a deep grudge against Batman. The Arkham Knight is revealed to have a personal connection to Batman and plays a key role in the escalation of Gotham's chaos. The story also features Scarecrow, who is planning to release his fear toxin to terrorize the entire city. As Gotham is plunged into chaos, Batman must unite with his allies, including Robin, Nightwing, and the Batgirl (in the Batgirl: A Matter of Family DLC), to save the city.
- Gameplay:
- Arkham Knight builds on the gameplay of its predecessors, offering a mix of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving.
- Combat: The game is known for its smooth, fluid, and fast-paced combat system, allowing Batman to take on groups of enemies with counter-attacks, combos, and gadgets.
- Batmobile: One of the most notable additions to the game is the Batmobile, which is fully integrated into both the exploration and combat mechanics. The Batmobile can be used to travel across the city quickly, and it can also be used in combat sequences to take down enemies or solve puzzles.
- Gotham City: The game's setting is a fully realized, open-world Gotham City, which is expansive and filled with side missions, challenges, and collectibles. The open world is even more detailed and interactive than previous entries, with a more dynamic environment.
- Detective Vision: Batman’s detective mode, a staple of the series, allows him to analyze crime scenes, track enemies, and solve puzzles.
- Graphics and Sound:
- The game’s visuals were highly praised at the time of release for their level of detail and atmospheric design, from the rain-soaked streets of Gotham to the meticulously designed character models. The sound design, including voice acting by Mark Hamill (Joker) and Kevin Conroy (Batman), is top-notch.
- Character Cast:
- Batman/Bruce Wayne: Voiced by Kevin Conroy, Batman is the central character, working to stop the destruction of Gotham while dealing with his personal demons.
- The Arkham Knight: A new antagonist with a mysterious identity who is bent on destroying Batman.
- Scarecrow: A returning villain who threatens Gotham with his fear toxin.
- Joker: Although presumed dead, the Joker’s influence looms large, and his presence is felt throughout the story.
- Alfred, Commissioner Gordon, Robin, and others: Various allies help Batman during his quest to save Gotham.
- Endings:
- Arkham Knight features multiple endings based on the player's actions and achievements in the game. The true ending is unlocked if the player completes a set of challenges, which involves uncovering hidden elements of the story and defeating powerful enemies.
- DLC:
- Several downloadable content (DLC) packs were released, which expanded on the story and added new missions. Some of these focused on specific characters, like Batgirl: A Matter of Family, which is a prequel mission set before the events of the main story, and others introduced new skins and challenges.
Critical Reception:
Batman: Arkham Knight received universal praise for its gameplay, story, and graphics. Many considered it a fitting conclusion to the Arkham series, though some players criticized the Batmobile's heavy reliance in certain sections, feeling it detracted from the overall experience. Despite this, the game is often regarded as one of the best superhero games ever made and one of the standout titles of the PS4 and Xbox One era.