Review: Batman Arkham Knight

Super heroes have had quite a comeback recently, and when it comes to gaming, none is bigger than Batman. Arkham Knight marks Batman’s fourth outing recently, but this is not the first time Batman has tried to hit the controller screen, it just the only time it’s ever been remotely good. Arkham Knight follows that formula well, but doesn’t innovate as much as it’s predecessors. Arkham Knight adds the Batmobile into the fray for the first time, not only as transport around the games three large islands, but also adds it as a weapon to Batman’s arsenal. The main story beats have you tracking down Scarecrow who, as always, has a dastardly plan to ruin Gotham, and then the world! Mwahahah! But not only is Scarecrow loose, but pretty much any other villain Batman has faced that you know makes an appearance. These extra threats play out in side missions leading to the capture of your target. Lock up the bad guys, save the city, beat the game, pretty standard fare.

Batman is back, all his gadgets in tow. Batarang, grappling hook, explosive gel, it all returns. Plus he still hits dudes in the face with his fists. Not much has changed when it comes to combat. You still need to counter dudes, dodge others, and disarm some to take them out safely. Finishing fights results in experience which you can use to make upgrades to your gear, suit, or Batmobile. Being creative in fights leads to more xp, but that system is never explained. I found myself rather just finishing as effectively as I could rather than worrying about how to get more xp. Levels were gained from doing missions as well, which was much easier than elegantly punching dudes.

The main story is compelling, and even thought you are in an open world, you can mainline the story if you really want to. I only slowed down so I could enjoy the game longer, it was passing me by too quickly. But the creative level design and objectives felt fresh and never repetitive, well… except for the Cobra tanks. From time to time you’d get flanked by these Cobra tanks that only have one weak spot that you had to use lock on it hit. So you have to stay close but out of sight until you can lock on and make a shot. Once wasn’t bad, but by the last time they spring that trap on you I was pretty sick of it. Also on the talk of being repetitive, a lot of the side missions are just that. You are doing the same thing, just in a different part of the city. Sometimes it works, like blowing up road bombs, other times it’s annoying, like brawling with penguin’s gang, just to blow up his vault again.

Adding the Batmobile adds an interesting factor to the Batman games. It equips Batman with a deadly killing machine full of guns and thrusters. Being the humanitarian that he is, the Batmobiles exterior acts like a stun gun, shocking the psychopaths on the streets of Gotham away from the deadly collision that would await them. Also all the guns turn on a person friendly bean bag mode when the target is human rather than inanimate. But how boring would that be if they had the Batmobile and it couldn’t really destroy anything? Enter remote controlled tanks. No human life at stake, perfect! When these bad boys roll on to the streets Batman lights them up like there is no tomorrow (which there really isn’t since the whole game takes place over one night, no matter how long you play). Complete with Michael Bay explosions, the Batmobile tears down any machine in it’s path. Now if you’re getting my somewhat snarky bravado I’m trying to convey, you might be asking yourself why I’ve added it in. Well because the idea of randomly roaming remote controlled tanks is just downright ridiculous. Beside blowing up they serve no purpose. They do nothing to enhance the story. It’s like the fleet of robots fighting in Star Wars Episode One, those dudes were lame little robots, not cool like storm troopers. It’s the same thing here, fighting brutes and thugs is meaningful, blowing up robots is just picturesque for the sake of being picturesque.

Arkham Knight is to be expected, it’s another good game from Rocksteady Studios. It’s fun, it’s cool, it’s Batman. Adding in the Batmobile is a cool touch, but might not have been implemented as well as it could have been. It’s not bad, but not the top level performance we’ve come to expect from the innovations that have come before. The story is fun, and even compelling enough to play like a linear game, start to finish. If you’re just a batfan and want to brawl in Gotham, this game has you covered. This might be Rocksteady’s weakest outing so far, but that’s comparing this game to two of the best from the last generation of gaming.