While the Batmobile was a fantastic addition, I can’t help but feel that other elements of the franchise ended up taking a backseat (no pun intended). If there’s any criticism I can level, it’s that with so many mechanics, it was hard to feel like we got enough of each one. In Arkham Knight, Batman can team up with allies Nightwing, Robin, and Catwoman, crushing enemies with new Dual Team Takedowns.
The Batmobile is the centerpiece of this game – used to speed madly around the city, shoot down walls, solve puzzles, chase down enemy vehicles, battle bosses, and bring the hurt to anyone that challenges it’s complete ownership of the road. As the various thugs of Gotham don’t hesitate to point out, the Batmobile is more a tank than a car, transitioning instantaneously from a high speed pursuit mode that has you screeching around corners and destroying anything in your path, into a battle mode that allows the vehicle to move laterally and bring down enemy drones with a wide array of destructive weapons. Rocksteady knew what fans wanted, and set to the gargantuan task of completely redesigning Gotham and the way Batman interacts with it to allow the Batmobile to shine. The Batmobile is the one thing that’s been missing from the Arkham franchise. Rocksteady gathers together all of these elements, and then drops a Batmobile right smack in the middle.
On full display are the seamless freeflow combat system, the strategically-minded predator mode, the infinitely satisfying city traversal, and the trademark puzzlers and crime scene reconstructions that remind you why Batman is the World’s Greatest Detective. Gameplay 9/10Īrkham Knight returns with all of the gameplay mechanics that made the Arkham series revolutionary by allowing you to feel like you are the Batman.
In short: Arkham Knight is the perfect ending to one of the past decade’s most popular franchises. Having achieved 100% completion and played through the main storyline twice, I now feel comfortable giving my opinion on Rocksteady’s final entry in the Arkham franchise.