Summary
One of last year’s most controversial releases,Gotham Knightshas had a lackluster reception largely due to the ways it managed to disappoint fans of the legendaryBatman: Arkhamseries. WhileGotham Knightsis firmly set in a brand-new continuity totally removed from Rocksteady’s Arkhamverse, the comparisons to Batman’s prolific outings were inevitable. It cannot be argued that protagonists Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Hood, and Robin are all favorites of many die hard comic fans, but perhaps their own title strayed too far from the adventures of their mentor.
Following the indomitable legacy of theArkhamseries,Gotham Knights' distance from theBatmangames provided the title with its own sense of identity but may have ultimately only hurt it in the long run. Operating as a “looter” type game in the vein of titles likeDestiny 2, the focus on customization and enemy levels cements the game as quitedistant from theArkhamtitlesthat popularized reactive brawler combat throughout the 2010s. Focusing on its own interpretation of both combat and traversal mechanics alike,Gotham Knightsleft manyBatmanfans wanting more of the past instead. Thankfully, some modders have provided just that.
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Gotham Knights' Batman Mods Evoke a New Arkham
With concerns having built up even prior to the game’s release,Gotham Knightshas always been seen in a skeptical light by players wary of the trendy live service model. While the game doesn’t legitimately participate in the ever-growing business model itself, the presence of gear and skin based mechanics within the title has caused many to speculate on major changes that could have occurred midway through development. Under these circumstances, it’s no wonder that fans of the measured and well-paced singleplayer experiences under theArkhamwing havefoundGotham Knightsto fall short.
While the actual base game may have let many outspoken fans down, this hasn’t stopped some passionateGotham Knightsplayers from taking matters into their own hands by creating custom content. There are several impressive mods available for the game, but the majority of the most popular involve bringing Batman back into the streets of Gotham. The “Batman Reborn” modification made waves when it replaced Nightwing’s appearance with that of the caped crusader’s, and more recent replacements for Robin like mod creator Spacedasher’s Batman: The Enemy Within have continued to showcase the game’s missed potential when it comes to one ofDC’s flagship characters.
Batman Could’ve Added a New Perspective to Gotham Knights
As the popularity of playable Batman mods has grown in the wake of the mixed reception toGotham Knights’ own new set of protagonists, it has only become clearer that the game could have seriously benefited from the actual presence of Bruce Wayne. TheArkhamseries may already seem saturated to some, but2015’sArkham Knightconcluded the saga nearly a decade ago already. None of the titles were set in a normal version of the city as is seen inGotham Knights, and Batman could have made perfect sense as at least a post-game unlock as opposed to the fate he met in the story’s conclusion.
Several titles released in the years followingArkham Knighthave featured Batman, but none have truly managed to live up to Rocksteady’s groundbreaking series. WithSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueset to feature an elseworld-style, Brainiac-controlled, evil Batman, fans are likely to warmly receive a step back into the shoes of the Dark Knight after all this time.
Gotham Knightsis available now on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X.
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