Summary
Gotham Knightsfailed to land with many DC and Arkhamverse fans. While the game suffered from a range of technical issues, its biggest detractor was its uneven setup and narrative. Despite being developed by WB Montreal and sharing key gameplay mechanics,Gotham Knightshad no connection totheBatman Arkhamseries, which famously ended with the supposed death of Batman. Regardless, the very Arkham-esqueGotham Knightstook place in a world where the hero was canonically dead. The Arkhamverse has since released another chapter, in which its hero’s fate was sealed once and for all. Were an Arkhamverse-setGotham Knightssequel to see release, it would be able to sell the original game’s premise much better.
Gotham Knightsfeatured an all-new original story, where Batman’s absence saw Gotham’s criminal underworld take hold of the city. Players could swap between four unique members of the Bat Family to take the city back, with Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood, and Robin offering distinct playstyles and narrative twists to the campaign. The game was unfairly compared to theArkhamgames in the lead-up to release and failed to step out of the series’ shadow due to its clearly similar elements and vague storytelling. However, a sequel set within the Arkhamverse could flourish, thanks to the events ofSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
Gotham Knight’s opened with a scene in which a mortally wounded Batman and Ra’s al Ghul are killed off, leaving Gotham’s safety in the hands of a mourning Bat Family. With the title telling an original story, this scene simply existed to set the tone, as the state of Gotham, its rogue’s gallery, Batman, andthe Bat Familyare simply assumed once the game begins. However, this enormous sacrifice is unraveled by the time its final act occurs. When the credits roll inGotham Knights, Batman is dead again, the Bat Family is mourning, and things are largely back to where they started when players began the campaign.
In February 2024, Rocksteady Studios and WB Montreal released the firstArkhamtitle in over 8 years —Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.The title saw the titular Task Force X villains face off against a brainwashed Justice League, leading to the untimely death of many of the heroes. Chief among these was the canonical death of the Arkhamverse’s Batman, who faked his death five years earlier atthe end ofBatman: Arkham Knight.Before turning evil under Brainiac’s control, Bruce leaves notes on how to defeat each member of the Justice League, which the Squad then uses to dispatch each corrupted member. Near the campaign’s end, Batman is canonically killed off by Harley Quinn, ending a legacy that began in 2009’sBatman: Arkham Asylum.
Kill the Justice League Sets the Stage for a Compelling Gotham Knights Sequel
WhileGotham Knightsfailed to make its intended mark, given its one-shot narrative, an Arkhamverse-set sequel, or spiritual sequel, could deliver a compelling spin-off adventure. The death of Batman inSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueset the stage for a Bat Family adventure far better thanGotham Knights' two sacrifices, and withSuicide Squadrestricting the action to Metropolis, there’s ample room for a compelling narrative that continues that ofArkham Knight. What’s more,the next three seasons ofSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguecould make room for Elseworld’s editions of the DC’s heroes and villains to make an appearance.
It remains to be seen what the future ofGotham Knightsand the Arkhamverse may respectively hold, as both left off in a similarly low spot. While the Arkhamverse is set to feature at least one more entry, Fall 2024’sBatman: Arkham Shadow, it’s believed to take placebetweenArkham OriginsandArkham Asylum. This leavesSuicide Squadas the definitive jumping-off point for any follow-ups, andGotham Knights’sequel as the perfect follow-up for fans. Until WB Montreal and Rocksteady Studios offer more insight, fans ofGotham Knightsand the Arkhamverse are left to speculate what comes next.
