Gotham Knights Review

[Michael {United Critics}]

Arkham Knight Supremacy

Gotham Knights was a highly anticipated action-RPG game developed by Warner Bros. Games Montréal, released on October 21, 2022, for the PC platform, among others. Following the demise of Batman, it's up to the Batman Family - Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin - to protect Gotham City from looming threats. The game treads a bold path by removing Batman from the equation but struggles to escape the substantial legacy of the acclaimed Arkham games.

About This Game

Storyline

Before you start reading this segment, I would like to warn you that there will be a lot of spoilers. I’d recommend just skipping to the last two paragraphs if you prefer to experience the entire story on your own. I didn’t use spoiler tags since it would look a tad bit ugly.

Gotham Knights delves into a fresh narrative where the Batman Family steps up to protect Gotham City following Batman's demise. The storyline doesn't continue from the Arkham series but unfolds in its own continuity, taking players on a new journey, albeit with familiar faces like Nightwing, Robin, Batgirl, and Red Hood. Various sources affirm that Gotham Knights is set in a new universe, distinct from the Arkham series, despite the similar premise and aesthetics.

The central mystery in Gotham Knights revolves around the sinister Court of Owls, with the narrative unraveling the identity of the mastermind behind this secret organization. By the game's climax, it's revealed that Jacob Kane, Bruce Wayne’s uncle, is the one pulling the strings, although the satisfaction of defeating him is denied to players as Talia al Ghul assassinates him. The real antagonists, as unveiled, are the League of Assassins. In a surprising twist, Bruce Wayne, presumed dead, is revived through a Lazarus Pit by Talia al Ghul, but this resurrection is short-lived as Bruce sacrifices himself once again to rid Gotham of the Lazarus Pit's menace.

Concerning a sequel, the ending of Gotham Knights keeps the door ajar. The Bat Family's resolve to protect Gotham City solidifies, and with the Lazarus Pit destroyed, a significant threat is eliminated. However, the secret ending hints at a deeper preparation by Bruce Wayne for the Bat Family, foreseeing perilous times ahead. This setting leaves room for a sequel where the Bat Family could face new adversaries, possibly with the uncertainty of Bruce Wayne's fate looming. The narrative, although self-contained, has elements that can be explored in a sequel, making the prospect of a follow-up game plausible.

Interestingly, while Gotham Knights doesn't continue the story from the Arkham series, there's another game titled "Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League" by Rocksteady Studios, which is set to continue the Arkham narrative. This indicates that the Arkham story is being carried forward, but through a different title, not Gotham Knights.

Gameplay Mechanics

This is the main segment of the game which failed to impress me. I might have had high expectations for it after experiencing the beauty of Arkham Knight. Anyways, let’s continue.

1. Combat System:
   
   • The combat in Gotham Knights can be compared to the Arkham series, though it's seen as a slimmed-down version with a unique momentum meter that builds up through successful attacks and dodges, allowing for character-specific special abilities.
     
   • However, I have to highlight the lack of satisfaction in combat. It’s lackluster, with repetitive fighting cycles and a need for more combat variation.
     
   • The opponents, even the weakest ones, seem to require a lot of hits before they go down. This is similar to the “Bullet Sponge” feeling we get in FPS games which is a huge party pooper.
2. Stealth Mechanics:
   
   • The stealth gameplay in Gotham Knights provides us with options for silent or sudden takedowns, but it isn't as satisfying as it could be, lacking elements like vents or weak walls found in the Arkham games for enhanced stealth gameplay.
     
   • I’ve also seen clips where players are literally in the Field of View of the enemies but they fail to notice them. It’s not like the characters can literally become invisible, I am unsure on why this is even a thing. Stealth should have its limits when it comes to usability.
3. Exploration:
   
   • Gotham Knights has an open-world structure allowing for exploration, with missions and crimes spread across Gotham City. However, there is an evident lack of dynamic encounters which dampens the entire exploration experience.
4. Character Progression:
   
   • I am not really a fan of the progression tree this game offers. I have noticed perplexing progression design choices, which affect the gameplay experience.
5. Cooperative Gameplay:
   
   • Unlike the solitary gameplay of the Arkham series, Gotham Knights introduces cooperative gameplay, allowing players to control different members of the Bat Family, each with unique abilities. This adds a layer of teamwork and strategy to the gameplay, making it different from the solo play experience of previous Batman titles.

Comparison To The Fan Favorite Arkham Knight

Everyone who played the Arkham Series compare this title with Arkham Knight for obvious reasons. Let’s get a bit more detailed with the comparisons:

• Combat: The combat system in Batman: Arkham Knight is superior, offering a more fluid and engaging experience compared to Gotham Knights
  
• Exploration: The open-world exploration in Arkham Knight is also seen as more fully realized, with a buzzing city life that Gotham Knights seems to lack.
  
• Character and Story: Arkham Knight is often praised for its well-rounded characters, engaging storyline, and a well-realized Gotham City, areas where some players feel Gotham Knights falls short. It’s kinda obvious that Batman has a larger fanbase than the side characters which Gotham Knights uses.
  
• Performance: Performance stability is better in Batman: Arkham Knight, with Gotham Knights facing criticism for sub-30 frame rates and other technical issues. But I get it, Arkham Knight is an older game. But why does it look better than Gotham Knights? Have you seen how the water looks? Just take a look at this video!
  
• Graphics: When comparing the graphics of both games, noting that despite being an older title, Batman: Arkham Knight holds up well in terms of graphics and even looks better in some comparisons. Just check out the video I linked in the previous point.

In summary, while Gotham Knights brings new elements to the table like cooperative gameplay and character-switching mechanics, it often falls into the shadow of the praised combat system, narrative engagement, and technical performance seen in Batman: Arkham Knight.

Visuals & Audio

Gotham Knights showcases a stunning representation of Gotham City, with remarkable lighting, detail, and atmosphere. The steam, fog, and smoke effects around every building enrich the visual appeal of the game, making it a picturesque experience for players. However, the game has performance issues where your FPS drops below 30, impacting the gameplay experience negatively. Arkham Knight easily outclasses this title.

Pros

• Engaging character dynamics and interactions that deepen the storyline and add humor.
  
• Stunning representation of Gotham City with remarkable lighting, detail, and atmospheric effects.
  
• A variety of missions blending combat and stealth mechanics that keep gameplay interesting.
  
• The introduction of cooperative gameplay allows for a different, teamwork-oriented experience.
  
• Unique abilities and progression for each member of the Bat Family add a layer of depth.
  
• The inclusion of iconic villains adds zest and familiarity to the narrative.
  
• The sandbox approach to exploration offers a sense of freedom and discovery.
  
• Fresh narrative in a separate continuity, offering a new storyline to delve into.

Cons

• The combat often falls short, becoming monotonous with repetitive fighting cycles.
  
• Some progression design choices are perplexing and detract from the gameplay experience.
  
• There are a lot of performance issues, negatively affecting the gameplay experience.
  
• The game struggles with an identity crisis, especially in integrating RPG elements seamlessly.
  
• Exploration is hampered by a lack of dynamic encounters.
  
• Often falls into the shadow of the acclaimed combat system and narrative engagement seen in Arkham Knight.
  
• Various technical issues that hinder the overall gameplay experience.
  
• Some elements of the storyline are seen as predictable, undermining the narrative tension.

Conclusion

Gotham Knights presents a mixed bag of experiences, shining in character interaction and the visual portrayal of Gotham City but falling short in combat dynamics and exploration, especially when compared to the stellar experience delivered by Arkham Knight—a title I often find myself reverting to for its superior gameplay. Despite Gotham Knights' commendable attempt to diverge from the Arkham series, its execution in some gameplay aspects leaves room for improvement. The contrasting reviews underline its narrative and visual strengths, yet also highlight the weaknesses in gameplay mechanics and exploration, indicating that while Gotham Knights has its moments of brilliance, it often finds itself overshadowed by the well-rounded, engaging experience that Arkham Knight provided. It doesn’t hurt to give this game a try and see if your opinion on it varies from mine!

Rating: 7.5/10

Reviewer: Midplayz
I wanted to play as Catwoman. I know she is not part of the Batman family but still. 🙁