DC Fandome finally unveiled Gotham Knights, the anticipated spiritual successor to the Batman: Arkham series. The Arkham games were renowned for transforming the superhero video game genre and many consider Batman: Arkham City the best adapted video game ever. Since its inception in 2009, superhero games have been held to a higher standard.
Gotham Knights is a game that features a Gotham City absent of it’s perennial protector Batman. Instead, gamers will be able to control one of four of Batman’s proteges: Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood. Each of the vigilante heroes feature different skill sets and abilities and fans will be able to choose which of the heroes they’d like to control.
DC Fandome confirmed that there will be solo and co-op play with at least two players. The game will be released for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, and PC in 2021.
It is important to note that Gotham Knights is being produced by the WB Games Montreal and not Rocksteady, the producer of Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight. Warner Bros. Games Montreal was the producer of Batman: Arkham Origins, which many consider a downgrade to the other games. Arkham Origins looked like a beautiful Batman game but it certainly lacked the depth that made the other entries so special.
The new game looks to be more energetic than its predecessors; perhaps a reflection on its subjects. Batman is often portrayed as overly serious and dour; his sidekicks are often shown as fun and jovial. The Arkham games were expansive in their exploration of Batman, they tapped into every aspect of his formidable tool kit. Gamers were forced to use Batman as a scientist, detective, and martial artist. In Gotham Knights, those duties could be split among Batman sidekicks, with each individual bringing different strengths, but we haven’t seen enough gameplay to confirm that.
One thing we do know about Gotham Knights is the inclusion of the Court of Owls storyline. The Court of Owls, and their assassins known as Talons, are a relatively new addition to Batman lore. They were first created and introduced in 2011 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. The Court of Owls is an Illuminati like organization that has held control of Gotham City for centuries. This secret society has near unlimited resources and savage assassins that cause trouble for the Bat family.
In the comics, the Bat family takes on the Court of Owls with Batman at the helm but in Gotham Knights we’ll see how the Bat Family fares without their patriarch. DC Fandome tells us that the game will go beyond the Court of Owls. “The mystery of Gotham Knights is way bigger than the Court of Owls”.
Time will tell what mysteries will unfold in Warner Bros. Games Montreal’s newest project.