Summary
Rocksteady’s series ofBatmangames has proven to still be influential despiteArkham Knighthaving released nearly a decade ago, and there is one route for the studio to go that is more appropriate than ever if it returns to the series.Batmangames have generally relied on original plots that didn’t draw from a specific piece of source material, but following one comic story could be perfect for a reboot-style game that succeeds Arkham.
Following the events ofArkham Knightand now the upcomingSuicide Squadgame potentially being canon, there isn’t much room to continue the story ofBruce Wayne in Rocksteady games. Fans have begun to theorize that a clean slate in the form of a reboot could one day follow, or that another developer could even end up creating its own interpretation. No matter where the nextBatmantitle ends up being made, there is one highly influential story which helped to define the character’s dark side in the comics and could be perfect for his return to gaming.
The Potential for a Dark Knight Returns-Inspired Game
An Unexplored Area of Batman’s History in Gaming
One ofBatman’s darkest stories,The Dark Knight Returnsis a 1986 miniseries written by Frank Miller that came after the character had become light-hearted and goofier over time. Most importantly, the story focused on a much older Bruce Wayne returning to fighting crime years past his glory days in a way that could perfectly translate to his evolution in video games.
PreviousBatmangames have drawn from multiple comic series to form their stories, butThe Dark Knight Returnsis packed with so much source material, it could easily fill up an entire video game narrative. With the story’s focus on both The Joker and laterSuperman as a primary antagonist, however, there is even potential for splitting the adaptation up into two different games. The animated movie adaptation ofTDKRis split up into two parts, and it has been one of the most well-receivedBatmananimations. The older and darker Bruce Wayne stepping back into the mantle of Batman not only matches the character’s hiatus as the protagonist of his own game for a while, but it could bring a more violent edge to the gameplay that sets it apart from the theArkhamtitles.
Batman Beyond Could Introduce Another Saga
The Ending to a Bruce Wayne Trilogy
There was a sequel toTDKRin the form ofThe Dark Knight Strikes Again, but it has been regarded by many fans as too absurd and controversial, even when compared to the original’s level of violence, which would already prove tough to adapt. If there ever is an adaptation spanning multiple games, however, there could also be one alternative direction that makes perfect sense. It started as a short-lived animated series in 1999, butBatman Beyondhas had a dedicated cult following ever since its release. After playing as an aged Bruce Wayne in a set ofThe Dark Knight Returns-inspired titles, bringing Terry McGinnis into the protagonist role for anArkham-inspiredBatman Beyondtitlecould be the perfect way to wrap up a new trilogy ofBatmangames.
There have been skins for its suit in theArkhamgames, but it hasn’t ever really had a properBatman Beyondadaptationoutside a controversial side scrolling beat-em’-up from years ago. After Bruce Wayne fakes his death and goes into hiding, the perfect way to maintain this continuity would be to allow him to step into the mentor role that he takes inBeyond.TDKRoriginally released well before the series, but the potential ties the two could find in new games could lead to one ofBatman’s most cohesive trilogies ever.
Batman: Arkham Knight
WHERE TO PLAY
Batman™: Arkham Knight brings the award-winning Arkham trilogy from Rocksteady Studios to its epic conclusion. Developed exclusively for New-Gen platforms, Batman: Arkham Knight introduces Rocksteady’s uniquely designed version of the Batmobile. The highly anticipated addition of this legendary vehicle, combined with the acclaimed gameplay of the Arkham series, offers gamers the ultimate and complete Batman experience as they tear through the streets and soar across the skyline of the entirety of Gotham City. In this explosive finale, Batman faces the ultimate threat against the city that he is sworn to protect, as Scarecrow returns to unite the super criminals of Gotham and destroy the Batman forever.“Be The Batman” – Live the complete Batman experience as the Dark Knight enters the concluding chapter of Rocksteady’s Arkham trilogy. Players will become The World’s Greatest Detective like never before with the introduction of the Batmobile and enhancements to signature features such as FreeFlow Combat, stealth, forensics and navigation.
