The video game “Gotham Knights” is in many ways mistaken to be a follow-up to the popular “Batman: Arkham” game trilogy, causing it to be a controversial subject among DC fans. Those who have grown to love the new addition to the Batman universe complain on social media that too many people critically compare it to the aforementioned trilogy, rather than appreciate it as a singular entity. The aim of this review is to give information and a review of the game without bias from the trilogy. Note: Writer has played and completed all games in the “Batman: Arkham” trilogy, and is going to keep this review unbiased by that experience.
Story (No Major Spoilers):
Batman and Ra’s al Ghul are dead. Batman’s proteges- Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin -answer his pre-recorded message and return to the city of Gotham to aid in its protection. The group is faced with an old and cryptic case(the same that Batman had been investigating before he died). The case reveals a massive, centuries old plot affecting all of Gotham city, and the proteges scramble to uncover every bit of it. During this objective, we’re introduced to side characters Alfred Pennyworth (who joins the proteges permanently in the “Belfry,” or base), Lucius Fox (a former ‘WayneTech’ employee turned CEO of his own company), and Detective Montoya (previous police partner of the late commissioner Gordon). Side stories are introduced when the player returns from their first encounter with Talia Al Ghul. As character levels progress, more side quests and missions are introduced.
Gameplay:
The gameplay is easily adapted to multiplayer. The player can choose one of four characters, and can switch between them every time they return to base (returning to base is completely optional, though quests that require the characters to do research will not progress until you do). When the character you play as levels up, the other three do as well, so the player needn’t worry about switching to a low-level character. Each character has their own unique fighting styles and traits. This becomes more apparent as you level up, as the character’s upgrades and equipment are vastly different. The game is set in an open-world Gotham, and the player can traverse any place on the map. Players can investigate, stop, or prevent minor to major crimes at any time, provided they find them. There are multiple options for multiplayer: quick match, joining a friend, etc. Multiplayer is not required to progress in the game, but all players advance in any quests they complete together. Note: Certain boss fights and missions have recommended player levels(Ex: Recommended to be level 31-33 for the Clayface boss fight, “extremely difficult otherwise”).
Notable side missions(All end with boss fights):
- Harley Quinn starts a new, strange empire under the code name: “Dr. Q.” She enlists the help of a gang called “The Freaks.” The characters must stop her and discover the full scope of her motives.
- Clayface is discovered to be alive after falling into a wind turbine years prior. He has split himself into his own sort of gang. The “Batman Family” must venture into the city’s reservoir to stop him from harming Gotham.
- Mr. Freeze has hired a gang of hackers called “Regulators” and equipped them with weapons, the group must discover why he’s returned to crime and what his endgame is.
- Smaller side quests come in the form of known Gothamites (Penguin, Lucius Fox, etc.) asking the Batfamily to take down criminal hideouts, rescue citizens, and other like activities.
Opinions:
The main characters work extremely well together, and show moments where they wish for Batman’s guidance. A small part of the script for the main quest has a dry air to it, but the voice-actors did well regardless. The plot does well, despite the many story arcs in the DCU where Batman dies and Gotham is pulled into a frenzy and power struggle. The visual effects were absolutely gorgeous(something I never expected). There’s a certain feeling that the city gives with its lighting, and it seems to perfectly capture a similar tone to the comics. The sound and audio effects portrayed the mood perfectly, depending on where you are on the map or in the story. I particularly enjoyed an ominous sound effect that sounds almost like a guitar riff. The music is nice, and certain melodies get stuck in your head. I found myself enjoying the dynamics between the main four characters and side characters. For example, Harley Quinn is less antagonistic towards Jason Todd (Red Hood), and jokes with Dick Grayson (Nightwing). I’m very happy that the game brought back the concept from the original comic series where Batman is a good father, as there was really no point or reasoning for him to be otherwise.
Notes/internal monologue whilst playing:
— Really good character development, we see the characters become more trusting of each other as time progresses in-game
— Ooooo you can choose suit designs
— Amazing visual effects, audio and music was much better than expected
— Character personalities were great, they fixed robin some
— YAYYY ALFRED 😀
— Customization and upgrades are unique for each character
— EW CLAYFACE WHY.
— Why is Alfred just the best?
— Good atmosphere between the late Commissioner Gordon and Detective Montoya, really sad, makes me mad about the Gotham police department
— Tim Drake is a gremlin and it’s amazing
— Why are some of the emails so ominous…?
— Really good attention to detail
— Nightwing stop telling dad jokes-please-
— Red Hood’s boss fight dialogue is savage-
— Harley, why are you so weird? Please sit down, take a nap.
She’s so nice to Jason I’m crying.
— Joker sucks
— Every time Superman emails Robin I think they’ve busted him for hacking their satellite so he can teleport 10 ft.
— Alfred just out-sassed a group of teenagers.
— Clayface is actually mean during his boss fight- He looks like a booger.
— Multiplayer is amazing
— Talia stop stalking children- I don’t care who your father is.
Major characters in Gotham Knights:
- Barbara Gordon (Oracle, Batgirl) –Voice acted by: America Young
- Richard “Dick” Grayson (Robin I, Nightwing) –Voice acted by: Christopher Sean
- Jason Todd (Robin II, Red Hood) –Voice acted by: Stephen Oyoung
- Timothy “Tim” Drake (Robin III) –Voice acted by: Sloane Siegel
Side characters:
- Bruce Wayne (Batman) (Deceased) –Voice acted by: Michael Antanakos
- Alfred Pennyworth(Wayne family butler, Agent A) –Voice acted by: Gildart Jackson
- Detective Montoya –Voice acted by: Krizia Bajos
- Jacob Kane(The Voice of the Court) –Voice acted by: Tommie Earl Jenkins
- Talia Al Ghul –Voice acted by: Emily O’Brien
- Harleen Quinzel (Harley Quinn, Dr. Q) –Voice acted by: Kari Wahlgren
- Basil Karlo (Clayface) –Voice acted by: Brian Keane
- Dr. Victor Fries (Mr. Freeze) –Voice acted by: Donald Chang
- Oswald Cobblepot (Penguin) –Voice acted by: Elias Toufexis
- Ra’s Al Ghul –Voice acted by: Navid Negahban
- Catherine Kane –Voice acted by: Liz Burnette
- Lucius Fox –Voice acted by: Peter Jay Fernandez
Mentioned Characters:
- Commissioner James “Jim” Gordon (Deceased)
- “Justice League” members
- “The Outlaws” members
- “Young Justice” members
- “Teen Titans/Titans” members
- Other miscellaneous heroes and vigilantes… Oh, and Moth-Man- It’s kinda a joke.
Directors:
Patrick Redding
Geoff Ellenor
Designer:
Stéphane Brochu
Programmer:
Marc Moulis
Artist(s):
Jay Evans
Daniel Kvasznicza
Wilson Mui
Writer(s):
Ceri Young
Ann Lemay
