As a seasoned gamer and Batman enthusiast with a soft spot for virtual reality experiences, I must say that the upcoming Arkham Shadow (2024) is something I’m genuinely excited about. With my trusty VR headset ready to go, I can’t wait to immerse myself in the world of Gotham and kick some baddies to the kerb, all while solving puzzles and unraveling mysteries.
Batman has a huge history in video games that dates all the way back to 1986.
Since the Arkham series, the Batman Universe games have generally been satisfactory (check out our Gotham Knights review), yet they haven’t managed to reach the heights of greatness that characterized those earlier game launches.
If you’re similar to us, you likely play these games every year. However, if you’re new to this, you may be unsure about how to get started.
Let’s take a look at all the games, and their corresponding DLCs.
How to play the Batman Arkham games in story order
To fully immerse yourself in the mindset of Bruce Wayne while maintaining the story’s continuity throughout the Batman Arkham series, follow this sequence:
- Arkham Origins
- Arkham Shadow
- Arkham Asylum
- Arkham City
- Arkham VR
- Arkham Knight
Here are four main games, along with a few VR side-games, will surely provide you with plenty of entertainment! By the time you complete these, you might even find yourself in a Batman-like state, dreaming headfirst and scolding an invisible butler.
The most recent addition to the series is Batman: Arkham Shadow which is exclusively available for Meta Quest users. It’s believed that the game slots into the Arkham timeline between Origins and Asylum.
Where does the Arkham DLC fit in?
Indeed, you may find yourself curious about the different DLCs associated with certain games. It’s important to note that sequence plays a significant role here. If you wish to experience them all in narrative order, below is their placement relative to the main game releases:
- Arkham Origins DLC: Initiation
- Arkham Origins
- Arkham Origins DLC: A Cold Cold Heart
- Arkham Origins DLC: Blackgate
- Arkham Knight DLC: Batgirl – A Matter of Family
- Arkham Asylum
- Arkham City
- Arkham City DLC: Black Mask Challenge Campaign
- Arkham City DLC: Catwoman
- Arkham City DLC: Harley Quinn’s Revenge
- Arkham VR
- Arkham Knight DLC: Batgirl
- Arkham Knight DLC: Harley Quinn
- Arkham Knight
- Arkham Knight DLC: Catwoman’s Revenge
- Arkham Knight DLC: Red Hood
- Arkham Knight DLC: Robin – A Flip of a Coin
- Arkham Knight DLC: Nightwing – GCPD Lockdown
Batman Arkham games in release date order
As a film enthusiast appreciating the evolution of a series, if you prefer experiencing each game in the sequence they were originally released to witness the progressive enhancement of graphics and gameplay, following this chronological timeline will certainly cater to your needs.
Arkham Asylum (2009)
Available on: PC, Mac, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Among many, this Arkham game is still considered the cream of the crop, and for good reason. Limiting the action to the walls of the title and iconic asylum was a masterful decision that immerses players deeply into the dark operations that the Joker oversees within. Upon its initial release, it left us spellbound, and even today, it continues to be an engaging re-playable experience.
Arkham City (2011)
Available on: PC, Mac, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Wii U
Stepping away from the confines of the asylum, I find myself thrust back into Arkham City, where once more, I face off against the Joker, alongside numerous other adversaries, in the gritty streets of Gotham. This latest installment dwarfs its predecessor in scope and shares the same esteemed status among fans as Asylum did. The narrative is as gripping as ever, maintaining a strong hold from beginning to end. Furthermore, the Riddler’s challenges have been elevated with this expanded playground.
For this game, additional content (Downloadable Content) introduced a couple of iconic villainesses from the DC universe – specifically, the Catwoman Expansion Pack and Harley Quinn’s Vengeance DLC. These weren’t launched immediately but were later released, making them worth checking out.
Arkham Origins (2013)
Available on: PC, PS3, PS4, PS5, Xbox 360, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Wii U
In contrast to Rocksteady Studios, who developed the Arkham series, it was WB Games Montréal that assumed control for Arkham Origins. It’s worth noting that this game isn’t typically among people’s favorites, but it shouldn’t be dismissed as a poor quality production. While it doesn’t quite capture the magic of the earlier games, we did enjoy the focus on Batman’s detective abilities in this prequel.
In Origins, the downloadable content was titled “A Cold Cold Heart” and “Blackgate.” Particularly captivating is Blackgate, featuring its unique 2.5D side-scrolling gameplay style.
Arkham Knight (2015)
Available on: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
In summary, the last installment of the series was the most expansive, yet not necessarily the finest. Arkham Knight has many captivating aspects, particularly its engaging storyline, and it boasts several impressive sequences that remain thrilling upon replay. However, certain problems, predominantly related to the excessively used Batmobile (we’ve had some nightmares about tank battles), have left a sour taste for some gamers. Despite these flaws, Arkham Knight manages to deliver enough quality to leave a satisfying impression overall.
In the sole downloadable content for Arkham Knight, titled “A Matter of Family“, Batgirl, otherwise known as Barbara Gordon, steps into the Batsuit to team up with Robin in a mission to rescue her father, Commissioner Gordon.
Arkham VR (2016)
Available on: PC, PS4, PS5 (PSVR, HTC Vive or Meta headset required)
In the initial installment of this series that integrates virtual reality, Batman: Arkham VR offers an unprecedented opportunity to immerse yourself in Detective Mode. By adopting a first-person viewpoint, you will tackle puzzles and employ gadgets to uncover a mystery surrounding missing sidekicks.
This game is quite brief, taking less than two hours to complete its primary narrative, so it might not be considered essential. However, if you own a VR setup, you could certainly give it a try! It’s worth noting that this is the final installment in the Arkham series with ‘Arkham’ in its title, but it falls within the storyline between City and Knight.
Arkham Shadow (2024)
In a simpler, more conversational style: Arkham Shadow is the second game to take advantage of virtual reality technology for an even richer experience. You’ll not only be solving puzzles to uncover secrets but also have the chance to give those pesky villains a good old-fashioned kick off the sidewalk!
This game is brief yet delightful, so you don’t absolutely need to grasp the entire Arkham series chronology to enjoy it. However, if you own a Meta Quest VR headset, it’s definitely worth giving it a try.
What about Gotham Knights?
Available on: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
In the year 2022, developers at WB Montreal unveiled a new game titled Gotham Knights. This storyline features Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Red Hood as they strive to restore order in Gotham City without the presence of The Dark Knight.
If you’re intending to play through all the Batman video games, it might be wise to save Gotham Knights for last. Gotham Knights is actually set in a different storyline compared to the Arkham series, so you can enjoy it at any time. However, it does presuppose a good understanding of Batman’s history and his companions, which you might have gathered from playing earlier games in the series first.
What about Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League?
Coming to: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S
In 2023, the creators behind all previous Arkham series, Rocksteady, will launch a game titled “Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.” Given that this new game is speculated to be set within the same continuity as the Arkham games, following the storyline of Arkham Knight, it would be wise to play it after you’ve completed the other titles in the series.
Prior to its release, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly where the game fits or how much it references previous titles. The game’s trailers appear to take creative liberties with the finale of Arkham Knight. Therefore, for a better understanding and potential connections, play the Arkham series games before diving into this spin-off.
- Pre-order Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League at GAME (prices from £69.99)
Check out these topics: Does Suicide Squad support cross-platform play? | Additional content for Suicide Squad (DLC) | Is the game Suicide Squad currently experiencing issues? | The storyline of Suicide Squad | The character Batman in Suicide Squad | Latest reviews on Suicide Squad | System requirements for playing Suicide Squad on PC | The cast featured in Suicide Squad.
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2024-10-22 20:15