Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Arkham Series

Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Arkham Series

As a seasoned Batman fan who has been through the highs and lows of the Arkham series, I can wholeheartedly say that the games have truly captured the essence of being the Caped Crusader. From the brooding atop Gotham’s towers to the exhilarating free-flow combat, each game offered an immersive experience that left me yearning for more.


For generations, Batman has stood as an enduring symbol of heroism. From numerous films featuring various actors to diverse video games and toys, this enigmatic figure, known as the Dark Knight, has left an indelible mark on popular culture since his inception by Bob Kane and Bill Finger back in 1939. Today, fans of gaming and comics are thrilled at the prospect of the upcoming Batman: Arkham Shadow VR game, developed by Camouflaj.

Before Batman, the Caped Crusader, returns to virtual reality once more, let’s pause for a moment and reflect on the games that have shaped the Arkham series into what it is today. These games offer captivating storylines, refined combat systems, and enhanced mechanics in every title. Here is a rundown of all the Arkham games, ranked from least to greatest.

Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate

Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Arkham Series

In contrast to other Arkham series games, Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate features a side-scrolling gameplay style that offers less complexity and immersion. Nevertheless, it contributes significantly to the Arkhamverse storyline and remains an engaging choice for those eager to delve deeper into the characters and franchise’s history.

Although Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate may not surpass other Arkham games due to its somewhat repetitive level designs, it holds a unique appeal as the initial Arkham game designed for handheld devices. This portability aspect enhances its playability, allowing fans to embody the Dark Knight anytime and anywhere, which many were delighted to experience.

Batman: Arkham VR

Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Arkham Series

In contrast to the action-packed Batman: Arkham Shadow, Batman: Arkham VR primarily focuses on puzzle-solving and crime scene investigations. While it offers a captivating immersion for those eager to delve into detective work as Batman, players seeking combat scenarios involving fighting thugs and criminals might find the game lacking in that regard.

Back in the day, when I first dipped my toes into the world of VR gaming with Batman: Arkham VR, it was like a trailblazer in its league, setting the stage for what a VR Batman experience should be all about. Although some critics had mixed feelings about it at launch, this game managed to sweep several awards under its cape. Now, as we eagerly await the arrival of Batman: Arkham Shadow, I can’t help but feel that the groundwork laid by Batman: Arkham VR allowed for Arkham Shadow to truly run and shine.

Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League

Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Arkham Series

The latest game in the Arkhamverse is titled “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League,” but it’s yet to surpass the greatness of other Arkham games. Unlike previous installments that feature characters from Batman’s family, this game focuses on villains instead. Five years after the occurrences depicted in “Arkham Knight,” players assume control of Batman’s adversaries, tasked with stopping Brainiac who has brainwashed the Justice League using his mind-control abilities.

Initially, the storyline and characters of the game caught my attention, but as I delved deeper into gameplay, missions, and level design, I found them disappointing. Numerous players and reviewers have voiced their displeasure with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, mainly due to its live service aspects. The process of acquiring characters was tiresome for many fans, leading them to label the game as monotonous and uninteresting.

Batman: Arkham Origins

Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Arkham Series

In “Batman: Arkham Origins,” which is the third installment of the series, players are taken back to the origins of the events in the Arkham universe. This game showcases a younger, less experienced Batman. A novel aspect introduced in this game is a crime investigation mechanic. Players can delve into crime scenes from a first-person perspective using Detective Vision. The Dark Knight has the ability to revisit these crimes when he returns to the Batcave.

In Arkham Origins, you’ll encounter Freeflow combat and find new additions to Batman’s toolkit, such as the Remote Claw, Shock gloves, and Concussion Detonator. These are some of the innovative tools that Batman acquires in Arkham Origins. Following the events of Arkham Origins, Arkham Shadow offers a chance to play as the avenging Batman, allowing you to witness his transformation into the character seen in later Arkham games.

Batman: Arkham Knight

Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Arkham Series

In the Arkham series, Batman: Arkham Knight stands out as the game that offers the most immersive and visually striking experience for Batman fans. However, its emphasis on the Batmobile in gameplay was met with varying opinions by other gamers. Despite this focus on the Batmobile, the representation of Gotham City in Arkham Knight is remarkable – whether you’re gliding, swinging, or driving the Batmobile, it truly captures the sensation of moving through the city. As a result, Arkham Knight can be considered an exceptional Batman simulation game. One particularly striking moment in the game is standing on a rooftop, listening to the crimes happening around Gotham – a truly brooding experience for the Dark Knight.

In Arkham Knight, there were side tasks called “Most Wanted” missions, where the main character confronted various villains from his rogues’ gallery. Most of these missions are highly praised for their quality, but some players find the Riddler’s challenges to be excessively laborious.

Batman: Arkham Asylum

Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Arkham Series

The initial installment in the Arkham series, Batman: Arkham Asylum, kick-started the entire franchise. Housed within the title asylum, this game offered an exceptional gaming experience while introducing innovative combat techniques and storytelling. Although subsequent games built upon its success, Arkham Asylum remains one of the top-rated Arkham games for many players, despite being the first game in the series.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but rave about Batman: Arkham Asylum and its revolutionary Freeflow combat system! This gameplay mechanic, using three buttons for attacks, dodges, and counters, made it feel like I was truly embodying the Caped Crusader. The seamless way Batman could take down multiple enemies at once, especially with the fluidity of this combat style, was a dream come true for fans. Arkham Asylum, on its inaugural release, was crafted to such an exceptional degree that it earned numerous Game of the Year awards from various media outlets and websites. To top it all off, it even scooped up the Best Game Award at the 2010 BAFTA Video Games Awards!

Batman: Arkham City

Ranking the Best and Worst of the Batman Arkham Series

As a gamer, stepping into Batman’s cowl after Arkham Asylum was nothing short of exhilarating. The moment I dove into Batman: Arkham City, I was blown away by the unprecedented freedom to explore the expansive cityscape of Gotham for the very first time. Armed with a suite of new combat abilities, I found myself wielding an enhanced Freeflow combat system, allowing me to send foes crashing to the ground and deploy most of my gadgets during battle.

Batman: Arkham City is widely regarded as the best installment in the series, earning numerous awards for its exceptional script, animation, voice acting, and technical aspects. Its compelling storyline, stunning visuals, and immersive audio design were highly praised, along with its intriguing cast of characters and overall Batman experience. Critics found it challenging to imagine a superhero video game surpassing the quality offered by Batman: Arkham City.

The Next Batman Title

On October 22, 2024, Batman: Arkham Shadow will make its debut on Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S. This release marks a fresh chapter in the beloved Batman franchise for fans, offering an entirely new experience. Throughout the Arkham series, the games have masterfully portrayed the feel of being Batman from a third-person perspective. With Arkham Shadow arriving in VR, players will now have the opportunity to truly immerse themselves and understand what it’s like to wear the cowl, experiencing Gotham City firsthand in a first-person view. Batman: Arkham VR was the franchise’s foray into VR gaming, but with Arkham Shadow, we can expect an even more captivating experience.

Regardless of which games you’ll play first before you grab a copy of Arkham Shadow or the best VR headsets out there, be sure to stay updated with the latest gaming news and stories by following Gfinity Esports.

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2024-10-17 16:43