#2 Batman: Arkham Knight

"This is how it happened. This is how The Batman died."

Batman: Arkham Knight is the fourth installment and conclusion to Rocksteady's critically acclaimed Arkham series. The previous games (Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Origins) were very well received, so the pressure was on Arkham Knight to cap off the series with a bang. While it is not the best game in the series by any means, it certainly doesn't disappoint (unless you're attempting to play it on the PC, but I'll address that later). Arkham Knight is the experience that you will want if you are a fan of Batman or even action games in general. Let's break it down.

Story

Scarecrow will hold nothing back in his quest to break you mentally.

One of the most impressive parts of Rocksteady's Arkham games is that they provide a fresh and exciting take on the Caped Crusader. While Arkham Knight probably has the weakest story of the bunch, it definitely doesn't miss the mark by much.


Nine months have passed since the events of Arkham City. The Joker's reign of terror on Gotham has come to an end, as he died at the end of the last game. These nine months have been surprisingly peaceful and quiet by Gotham's standards, But that all changed when the Scarecrow breaks back on the scene. He unleashes his new and improved fear toxin on an unsuspecting Gotham diner. Soon, the whole city is forced to evacuate, and Gotham is left with criminals, police officers, and of course, Batman and friends. However, Batman isn't the only one with allies, as he is soon introduced to a mysterious enemy, with an army behind him: The Arkham Knight.

The Mysterious Arkham Knight

The voice acting is outstanding, with Kevin Conroy returning to his famous role as Batman. Those who have played the previous games, or are familiar with Batman beforehand, will appreciate the unique relationships he has with each character. Rocksteady also does a good job providing exposition, so that those who may be new to Arkham can still enjoy the game. The story will keep you on your toes and is a very satisfying conclusion to a great series.

Still, with that said, there are some parts that can be slightly predictable and unbelievable, even by comic book standards. These are kept to a Minumum however, so it doesn't take away much from the final product.


Story 8.5/10

Gameplay

The most impressive aspect of the Arkham series has been the combat system. Arkham Knight is no exception. The is more fluid than ever this time around and it has never felt more akin to The Dark Knight. It provides the perfect balance between easy and challenging. As Batman, you can take out two or three thugs at a time with no problem. However, as you start to get to ten to twenty thugs at a time, you start having to think on your feet, adding to the fun factor. As you progress, you will face tougher enemies and you will be forced to evolve your tactics to defeat them, just like Batman would.


In addition to combat, another impressive aspect of Arkham Knight is the stealth elements. As the Dark Knight, you literally hunt your prey, pick them off one by one, and then disappear into the shadows. Enemies panic as their number slowly diminish and they find unconscious bodies of their comrades. The stealth sequences are some of the most challenging parts of the game to pull off perfectly, but also the most satisfying.


With Batman, It's not just about beating up bad guys. You have to remember that you are portraying not only The Dark Knight but also the World's Greatest Detective. The game provides you with many challenging but not overly difficult puzzles and problems to solve. Some of the most interesting parts of the game come from these sequences.

The Batmobile was a letdown

New to this game is the addition of the Batmobile. This was probably the worst part of the game, as the sequences that feature the Batmobile are mundane and repetitive. They are too frequent and seem like a chore to get through. One positive aspect of the Batmobile is that it is fun to drive through Gotham, and it's faster than the typical grappling hook method. All in all the game could do well without the Batmobile.

Poison Ivy, The Riddler, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, and Penguin All return in Arkham Knight

There are lots of side quest and minor villains to take on. The typical run-of-the-mill Batman Villians make their appearances. Two-Face, Penguin, Harley Quinn, and much more make their appearances in side quests. There are a couple of villains that make their debut, but I will hold off on those to avoid spoilers.



Gameplay 9/10





Gotham City and It's Protector



Graphics/Audio

There isn't much to say here as both the audio and graphics are stunning. Nick Arundel returns as the lead Audio director and provides an amazing score for this game. Gotham city looks beautiful and alive. Most complete part of the game by far.


Graphics/Audio 10/10





Conclusion

Arkham Knight is a great game that lived up to a solid portion of its potential. It fell short in a few areas, but the pro's definitely outweighed the cons. It is a nice conclusion to an industry changing series.


Overall 9/10