What We Want from Rocksteady’s Next Arkham Game

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It appears that the Batman: Arkham games may not have reached their end yet, as rumors swirl of a new installment in development by Rocksteady, coupled with an enigmatic job posting for a game focusing on open-world combat. This points towards renewed interest in the Arkham franchise, suggesting that fans are eagerly anticipating its potential comeback.

What’s the following chapter of this series going to look like? Will we get to witness Bruce Wayne donning the Batman suit once more, or will it be a live-service looter-shooter game similar to Rocksteady’s misstep with Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League?

At Gfinity, we passionately discuss and predict upcoming gaming content, particularly from beloved series. I can hardly wait for the next installment of the Batman: Arkham franchise. Here’s a list of my top 5 expectations for Rocksteady’s upcoming Arkham game:

1. A riveting storyline that delves deeper into the complex world of Gotham City and its characters.
2. Improved combat mechanics, allowing for more fluid and strategic battles against iconic villains.
3. Expansive open-world exploration with intricate details and interactive elements.
4. Innovative stealth tactics, offering a greater sense of immersion and challenge.
5. Engaging side quests that flesh out the universe and provide additional insights into Batman’s world.

A New Caped Crusader

Admittedly, it’ll feel unusual playing a Batman game without the World’s Greatest Detective, but isn’t it past due for him to hang up the cape and cowl?

It’s going to be odd not having Batman’s world-class detective around in the upcoming game, but maybe it’s high time he took a well-deserved break?

One idea I have for the upcoming Arkham game is to include a new playable character, possibly Batgirl, Robin, Nightwing, or even Red Hood. The allure of this change comes from games like Gotham Knights, which highlighted Bruce Wayne’s other protégés instead of Batman. Regrettably, Gotham Knights faced several challenges that negatively impacted the gaming experience, such as technical issues and a less-than-satisfactory online co-op multiplayer attempt.

It’s an intriguing idea that Rocksteady might enhance their gameplay by introducing a fresh protagonist, with Batman taking on a mentor role instead. The primary character would then take center stage for the action, while Batman continues to work behind the scenes. This setup is something I find quite appealing and exciting to imagine playing.

An alternative approach would be to employ a two-lead character system, akin to that seen in Devil May Cry 4, where Nero takes on the role of the relatively inexperienced, younger protagonist, while Dante steps into the shoes of the seasoned, powerful hero.

A Unique Rogue’s Gallery

A Batman game is at its best when it features compelling villains, given the central role they play in the series’ narrative. It would be fantastic to explore more of Batman’s rogues gallery beyond the familiar cast we’ve seen so far. Frankly, I’m growing tired of The Joker dominating the screen time, although his supposed demise offers some consolation. Let’s also avoid going back to collecting 500 Riddler trophies in future games.

In the upcoming Arkham game, there’s a possibility of introducing a new villain who has not been fully explored in Batman lore but possesses the capacity to create chaos for both Batman and Gotham. It might be intriguing to see Calendar Man as the primary adversary, or perhaps the Mad Hatter is planning a unique form of retribution. Even the lesser-known character, Condiment King, could benefit from some attention!

No More Live-Service Slop

Let’s dive in once more. It appears that the underperformance of Suicide Squad has likely taught Rocksteady a valuable lesson – steering clear of live-service elements within their cherished series. The idea of a looter-shooter adaptation for Suicide Squad didn’t resonate with fans, despite impressive visuals and combat mechanics. However, the dwindling player base and waning enthusiasm from many gamers were challenges that even these strong aspects couldn’t overcome.

Should the subsequent Arkham game revert back to a standalone player mode, it might achieve significant success due to its alignment with the preferences of Batman Arkham series enthusiasts.

Enhanced Detective Work

In the Batman: Arkham series, I’ve consistently found delight in the detective aspects, even though they can veer into the fantastical at times. The joy for me lies in piecing together crime puzzles, locating drops of blood on the ground, or tracing Killer Croc’s spit trail, if you will.

It would be fantastic if I could assemble a personal detective board, accumulating sufficient hints to locate one of Batman’s criminal associates.

The upcoming game might introduce an exciting level of intensity with a range of innovative elements borrowed from modern gaming consoles. For instance, it could incorporate haptic feedback on PlayStation controllers, interactive touch controls, or something equally engaging that only Rocksteady Studios can reveal. With the aid of SSDs (Solid State Drives), we might even simulate a real-time crime scene of colossal scale.

Improved Predator & Melee Combat

The thrilling nature of Batman Arkham games lies in their intense combat sequences. There’s an undeniable sense of gratification when you shatter a thug’s bones with a powerful chest punch or knock off a villain’s head with a skillfully thrown Batarang. As gaming technology continues to advance, it’s reasonable to expect that Rocksteady Studios will refine and upgrade the combat system for the next installment in the Arkham series. However, one might wonder how they plan to do so.

It’s possible that the upcoming game may reintroduce the “Dual-takedown” feature like in Arkham Knight, or even more excitingly, allow for switching between two playable characters on the fly during Predator mode, which is the stealth mission aspect of the Arkham series.

In a more conversational manner: Batman’s got a ton of gadgets to mix things up on the field, and I bet he won’t limit himself to only using his Batarang when it comes to dispensing justice.

In the upcoming Arkham game, here’s what I believe Rocksteady Studios should strive towards achieving: Realistic goals that, while challenging, are crucial for the continued success of the beloved franchise. As a dedicated fan with years of investment in the series, I’m eager to see it thrive once more – even Origins, despite its flaws, managed to keep me engaged.

It’s just a question of when we’ll unveil the next Arkham game title, and I’m eagerly anticipating that day. Plus, it seems long overdue for r/BatmanArkham to have something fresh to discuss beyond their customary lively debates.

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2025-02-19 19:21