Be honest. You all saw this review coming, didn’t you? I’d be very surprised if you didn’t, considering my three previous entries on Rocksteady’s Arkham series. This post will officially bring us up to date and to the end of this saga. Well, for now anyway. Of course I am aware of the rumours that a fifth Arkham game is in the works, just as I am aware of them having recently been upgraded from “rumour” status to “likely in development already” status. But as has become typical with me on here, I digress…
Batman: Arkham Knight was perhaps the most highly anticipated game of the Arkham series. By the time it was announced, the series had well and truly established itself as a fan favourite, an offering of games that stayed true to the comic origins of the source material, had incredible stories and were incredibly fun to play. Rocksteady released little teasers of info and hints of what we could expect leading up to the release, sending Batfans like myself into an absolute frenzy of excitement.
By the time it finally dropped, fans had a pretty fair idea of what to expect, but there were still a few mind-blowing surprises thrown in. We knew we were going to get to finally drive the legendary Batmobile, but none of us ever could have imagined just how heavily the versatile combat tank of a vehicle would feature within the game’s story and associated side challenges. Some complained that there was too much Batmobile. I respectfully and whole heartedly disagree. We’d been waiting three games to drive our dream car, and Arkham Knight made sure that it was worth the wait. And oh my god driving the Batmobile and enjoying full-on combat with it is so much fun. I can’t imagine anyone getting tired of it.
The game itself is huge. And I’m not just talking about the massive download size. The story is enormous that surpasses all expectation and will leave you with feels that stay with you long after you’ve finished playing. For those who’ve not played it, you’ll find no spoilers here. Regular readers of my blog know that I don’t do spoilers. Ever. But if you’re keen to find out what happens without playing it through (note I don’t recommend this), you can no doubt find it online.
No review of this game would be complete without commenting on the graphics. This game, by far, contains the most impressive and beautiful graphics I have ever seen. The level of detail is beyond remarkable, taking an already immersive gaming experience and pulling you in even deeper. Gotham City is perfectly reconstructed here, with views for miles in all directions and doesn’t skip a beat with even the tiniest features and minute details.
The rogue’s gallery in this one is so delightfully unexpected. You’ll never know who’s going to pop up next and that makes for a wildly fun and unpredictable story. I can’t say much more without risking spoilers, so I won’t. All I will say is enjoy the twists and turns of a plot that will keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat from the moment you start until the staggering finale.
The combat is amazing, taking the concept of freeflow from the previous instalments and kicking it up to the next level, by increasing enemy complexity and really putting your skills to the test. Gadgets, there’s plenty. Because let’s be real. It wouldn’t be a Batman game without gadgets. All your favourites are here, plus some new ones thrown in aiding you in adapting your strategies and giving you a whole new way of taking down the bad guys. There feels like less emphasis on detective mode with this one. Don’t get the wrong idea, it’s still very much there and critical for completing the story and side missions. But it has become more a part of Batman’s repertoire, rather than feeling like his only edge outside direct combat. I like this subtle shift, as it feels… more like Batman from the comics.
Every Batman fan needs to play this game. While I’ve recommended all games in the Arkham series so far, this one is an absolute must-play. It’s got everything we know and love about our beloved Dark Knight and his enormous universe, and more.
Harley's Madhouse 