The reveal trailer for Gotham Knights began with one incredibly shocking revelation - Batman is dead. Instead of playing as the Dark Knight, players will be able to control four of his longtime crime-fighting allies: Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin and Red Hood. Without Batman alive to protect Gotham City, it is now up to these four heroes, controlled by the player, to fill in that massive gap.
Although multiple sources have indicated that Gotham Knights is set in a different universe than the Batman Arkham series, it's hard not to notice how perfectly this game fits within the Arkham narrative. Batman had seemingly died at the end of the series in much the same way he appears to at the beginning of this new game. At this point whether the game is technically a sequel to Arkham Knight is irrelevant - if nothing else, Gotham Knights is certainly a spiritual successor that gives fans the chance to live out what would have happened next after Batman's apparent death.
Killing off one of the greatest superhero heroes of all time is a big move. In of both video game story and gameplay, it is a move that will push Batman video games forward in a way that they have never been pushed before. The killing of Batman in Gotham Knights will do this in two ways - by diversifying gameplay and elevating the rest of the Bat-Family.
Diversified Gameplay In Gotham Knights
Although the Batman Arkham franchise revolutionized the way free-flowing combat worked in video games forever, by the fourth installment of the franchise, Batman: Arkham Knight, the gameplay had become predictable. By transitioning from the same old formula to a brand-new one, created by a different (but still connected) game studio and featuring a diverse set of characters, Gotham Knights is set to totally bring something new to Batman video games.
Elevating the Bat-Family In Gotham Knights
Batman has had plenty of time to shine in the Batman: Arkham series. By the final game, DC fans were itching to play as many of the caped crusader's most trusted allies, such as Robin and Batgirl. By elevating them, instead of yet again doing so to Batman, Gotham Knights will bring a new experience with fresh characters that all have their own unique fighting styles, weapons and gadgets.
With Rocksteady Studios leaving the arena of Batman video games, presumably for good, it is up to WB Montreal, the creators of Gotham Knights, to push the franchise forward. By killing off Batman and refocusing around his sidekicks, Gotham Knights is doing everything it needs to do to move Batman games into a fresh, new place.
Gotham Knights will be available in 2021 for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox One and PC.
