Gotham Knights

Ah yes, another Batman game is coming. The previous offerings of the caped crusade have been remarkable and managed to game near-universal acclaim. That's not something to take lightly, as plenty of games developed out of franchises range from the downright terrible to painstakingly average. Gotham Knights aim to continue where Arkham Knight left off in quality.

Poised for release in 2021, we have had the pleasure of an early access playthrough. Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, and Redhood all feature in place of Batman's stead - where the dark knight has passed away. An intriguing premise paired with the immersive gameplay of the past? Gotham Knights must be a winner.

No Batman, No Problem

Not giving any spoilers away, Gotham Knights on its storyline and setting are significantly different than Arkham Knight. The involvement of characters in this game compared to its predecessor is noticeably changed with slightly skewered backstories. This is to service the premise that in this Batman universe, the hero has passed away. Bruce Wayne and Commissioner Gordon are no more.

What remains the same in principle is that this is another open-world game set in Gotham City. The layout and design not the same as their predecessors. You will share the roles in the game of the 4 characters of the bat family. Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, and Redhood will all have unique skill sets and traits to traverse Gotham City. Their objectives are to crush crimelords and maintain Batman's legacy. Each character has their own application and can be used to handle challenges in the game differently.

The visuals and environments of Gotham City are just as stunning as years past, where developers have done a marvelous job in bringing the universe to life. Characters, animations, and dialogue flow very well - and the storylines are incredibly intriguing, serving as precursors to the underlying mysteries of Batman's death. Combat and stealth are very satisfying - with progression trees making them all the more interesting. All the factors are present to deliver another acclaimed Batman game.

It's Looking Good

Gotham Knights noticeably take a more RPG approach than Batman: Arkham City or Batman: Arkham Knight, which focused more on your combat style. The game will demand more focus on character development and preparing the right skills and counters for battles. While it's not the head-strong battle initiation of previous games, the amended style works incredibly well. The open world of Gotham City brings all your interactions to life no matter what capacity.

The game feels like a highly enhanced version of Prototype. Using the progressions systems makes missions, combat, and challenges all the more engaging. The detailing of characters with strong Batman lore will put you in tune with your surroundings. It all amalgamates well to deliver a very immersive experience.

Pros

• Fantastic visuals and environments of open-world Gotham City
• Character progression and combat is exciting
• Storyline and lore syncs magnificently

Cons

• Cartoony visuals may deter some players
• Combat less focused as games before