Batman is dead – but do we have to miss him?

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2. Gaming News

Created: 10/06/2022 2:24 p.m

Of: Aileen Udovenko

Gotham Knights will be released on October 21st, but without Batman. Can the game convince without the dark knight? We’ll tell you in the preview.

Hamburg – This month, on October 21st, Gotham will open its doors again. But the crime-ridden city has to do without its dark knight this time. Because Batman is dead. Gotham’s protection is now in the hands of his former pupils. In the Gotham Knights preview, we’ll tell you whether a game in the Batman universe can work without the iconic bat.

Gotham Knights Preview: Enough with Batman – Become your own version of the Dark Knight

Gotham Knights Story: Batman is dead. This is the starting point of the Gotham Knights story. So it’s up to his former sidekicks to save the city from the criminal underworld. As a player, you can take on the role of Batgirl, Nightwing, Red Hood and Robin to save Gotham from falling into chaos.

Both tricky puzzles to be solved in the old detective manner and epic confrontations with well-known villains await you. Little by little you uncover the secrets of the city and can prove yourself as a suitable successor to Batman.

Gotham Knights Preview: Focus on Legacy Characters – More Sidequest than Main Game?

The Bat Family: In Batman films, the dark knight is usually shown as a loner, but actually Batman rarely acts without assistants. As early as 1940, Batman had his first Robin (aka Dick Grayson) at his side in the comics, who later became Nightwing. And since then, the bat has had budding superheroes under its wing time and time again.

At times during the gameplay, we got the feeling that we were only being presented with sidequests from a full-fledged Batman game. One constantly expects Batman to come around the corner with wise words and help his trainees.

Focus is on legacy: But you should get rid of this thought, because in Gotham Knights legacy is clearly in the foreground. It’s about establishing Batman’s sidekicks as strong and emancipated heroes who may have to struggle with the death of their role model, but are by no means helpless on their own. Comic fans in particular could get their money’s worth, because the Batfamily has long been considered the heart of the Batman series.

Gotham Knights Preview: Influence of the Batman Arkham series is noticeable

Parallels to the Arkham series: Gotham Knights doesn’t tie into the events of the Batman Arkham Games, but you can still clearly see that the games in the series are based on them.

Because the combat system and the look of the game are very similar. Although you also have the opportunity to use different fighting techniques by selecting the different characters, these give you the same feeling as the popular free-flow system from the Arkham games.

Gotham also impresses again with its gloomy appearance. However, this time you can even interact with civilians in the open world, because unlike Batman: Arkham City, for example, the city is not yet overrun by gangsters. This makes Gotham feel much more alive than in the parts of the Arkham series.

Gotham Knights Preview: Gotham Without Batman – The Verdict

Is the game worth it? In the two hours of play, it was not yet possible to see whether the characters really manage to step out of Batman’s shadow and carry Gotham Knights alone. But we’re very optimistic that Batman’s legacy will fall into the right hands. And if you don’t know what to do with the story elements, you can still enjoy the super smooth fights and there are really a lot of them.

Now if you’re keen to try the game, you can buy Gotham Knights here.