Summary
WhenBatman: Arkham Asylumreleased in 2009, it broke new ground for superhero video games. While standouts likeMarvel Ultimate AllianceandSpider-Man 2had come out years before,Batman: Arkham Asylumboasted a level of quality and production value that hadn’t really been seen in superhero video games to that point.Batman: Arkham City,Arkham Origins, andArkham Knightall continued to cement theArkhamfranchise as one of the best series in gaming, and now, there are high hopesBatman: Arkham Shadowcan live up to that legacy.
A Meta Quest 3 exclusive,Batman: Arkham Shadowis a VR game that will see players take control of the Caped Crusader during the early days of his career once again. Based on the recent Summer Game Fest story trailer, it seems as thoughBatman: Arkham Shadowis returning the Arkhamverse to its roots, something that’s sorely needed after the most recent Arkhamverse entry.
Batman: Arkham Shadow Could Forge a New Path for the Arkhamverse
After nearly a decade without a new mainline entry, the Arkhamverse received its long-awaited revival earlier this year, but it wasn’t nearly the home-run fans wanted it to be. A live-service 4-player co-op looter shooter,Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguewas a major departure from previous Arkhamverse entries when it came to gameplay and tone. WhiletheBatman: Arkhamserieshas always tried to remain grounded while still being authentic to the source material,Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueleaned a little too closely into satire, resulting in a game that didn’t feel like a true continuation of the Arkhamverse.
There were quite a few plot threads inSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguethat also didn’t meet fan expectations. Batman was brought back to life with little explanation, which felt anticlimactic afterArkham Knight’s dramatic ending. The Justice League was introduced tothe Arkhamverseoff-screen, again with very little explanation. And by the timeSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leagueends, the entirety of the Arkhamverse is left in a sort of limbo, with Batman and the Justice League now seemingly out of the picture, and the introduction of the multiverse inherently implying that there are no longer any real consequences for the Arkhamverse moving forward.
Batman: Arkham Shadow Can Put The Arkhamverse Back on Track
Confirmed to be set betweenBatman: Arkham OriginsandBatman: Arkham Asylum,Batman: Arkham Shadowcould chart a new course for the Arkhamverse followingSuicide Squad’s problematic narrative. According to a recentinterview with Game Rant,Batman: Arkham Shadowwill follow the origins of villains like Harley Quinn, Scarecrow, Ratcatcher, and an original antagonist, the Rat King. This should fill in a lot of gaps in the lore of the Arkhamverse, and it might be a good idea to stay in this time period for futureArkhamentries.
WhileSuicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leaguemay have left the future of the Arkhamverse in a tricky spot, its past is still rife with lore that’s worth exploring. Though, followingSuicide Squad’s treatment of the Arkhamverse, fans have cause to scrutinize any new additions to the lore thatBatman: Arkham Shadowmakes, which puts a lot of pressure on developer Camouflaj.
Batman: Arkham Shadow
Become Batman in this official new entry into the Arkham franchise.It’s the Fourth of July, and Gotham City is under attack by a new threat: the mysterious Rat King and his cultish devotees. As widespread rioting engulfs the city, Batman races to prevent this so-called “Day of Wrath” before it all goes wrong.Experience the World of Batman Like Never Before:Immerse yourself in all the grit of Gotham City with the power of VR, and take down its most notorious criminals.Hard-Hitting Arkham CombatRealized exclusively for VR—choose from fan favorite gadgets and bold fighting styles reimagined from the beloved Arkham franchise.Friends, Foes and Other Familiar Faces:Meet Dr.’s Quinzel and Crane before they became Harley Quinn and Scarecrow, as well as other iconic characters including Harvey Dent, Jim Gordon, and Ratcatcher.
