Batman may be dead, but his mission continues as Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood take on the call to protect Gotham. Pulling mythology’s most well-known and beloved character out of the mix comes with some notable downsides, as much pathos and psychological drama accompanies him. The young generation of heroes, however, manages to put on a relatively good show even without their mentor, albeit one that feels like it’s not quite in the same league as the Dark Knight’s greatest adventures.
Gotham Knights isn’t part of the acclaimed Arkham series, but there are enough similarities to be excused for thinking otherwise. Players will take their chosen hero on nightly patrols through a large but not particularly bustling Gotham, stopping crime, aiding allies and hunting for clues. The freedom to explore a vast cityscape is inviting, but the space feels empty and lacking in memorable locations.
There’s plenty to do on your Patrols, from collecting lost Batarangs to racing your Batcycle. But as the hours went by, I felt more and more that the gradual leveling and mission structure was hard work and unoriginal and exciting moments or reveals.
Several more established mission locations are scattered throughout the game, where storytelling and structured encounters are more common. But even these felt extremely linear and lacked the genius encounter problem solving that the game needs. Still, it’s fun to see some of the most entertaining villains emerge, from individuals like Harley Quinn and Penguin to groups like the mysterious Court of Owls.
Combat and stealth work well mechanically, but lack the creativity that makes predator-style combat experiences so enjoyable. I had too few tools to manipulate and scare my enemies while in hiding, and combat was too often relegated to the same timed button press combos. Momentum abilities (unlocked over time) add lightning and flexibility to combat. However, even with these particular tricks up their sleeves, as the game nears its peak, it increasingly takes too long to knock down enemies and fights become awkwardly drawn out. Despite knowing this is a different game, I’ve always yearned for the more nuanced encounters of previous Arkham games.
It’s interesting to see how a cast of characters who were originally sidekicks band together to take on the lead roles. The sense of family camaraderie works, and all characters can hold their own as they venture out on solo missions. But from the dialogue to the rhythm of the narration, I couldn’t help but feel like I was experiencing Batman Jr. with a tone that didn’t keep up with the dark setting. Nothing has the gravity it needs to land.
A rewarding progression system offers plenty of opportunities to tweak your characters; The abundance of great suit designs is a lot of fun. I enjoyed crafting new weapons and modifying them with my favorite bonuses. Each character also has a unique skill tree; The more I explored the game, the more each character felt different in playstyle. I liked most of them, except for Red Hood, whose slightly slower movements and focus on ranged weapons didn’t really click.
Warner Bros. Montreal deserves kudos for their approach to two-person cooperative play. The drop-in, drop-out experience is seamless and enjoyable, with the difficulty easily adjustable so both players are on an equal footing. Players can work together in tandem in a single battle, or roam across the city far apart from each other – with no problems. It’s a multiplayer system that works so smoothly that you won’t notice any complications other than the chance to beat up some baddies with a mate – and that’s the way it should be.
Gotham Knights didn’t impress me with its all-too-familiar objectives, combat, and activities, but it didn’t piss me off. It’s fun to control some new heroes as they roam over Gotham from its building overhangs and uncover hidden conspiracies against its populace. These heroes rightly wonder if they are living up to a cherished legacy. And even if they’re not quite up to speed, Gotham has enough baddies to beat to make whoever you are have a good time.
