No Video Game Has Better Combat Than This 15-Year-Old Game

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Batman: Arkham City is a truly exceptional game, seamlessly blending its immersive world, compelling story, and satisfying gameplay – and it remains excellent even today. The combat system is a particular highlight. Building on the foundation laid by Arkham Asylum, Arkham City significantly upped the stakes and broadened the scope, improving everything players already loved about the first game, especially the already strong combat, which became even more polished and responsive.

Later games built upon the combat system pioneered by Arkham City, with titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight clearly showing its influence. However, Arkham City perfected this style, turning it into something truly special. Even though most games now use a combat system similar to Dark Souls, Arkham City’s fluid, almost musical, approach to fighting and countering remains one of the best I’ve ever experienced. Fifteen years on, I still believe it has the most satisfying combat in any video game.

Why Batman: Arkham City’s Combat Is So Good

Building on the success of Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City refined the combat system that became a benchmark for modern games. Arkham Asylum introduced a unique fighting style focused on timing and flow, simplifying controls while still allowing for creative attacks. Players primarily used a single attack button, enhanced by Batman’s cape which could be used to create combos, stun enemies, and change attack direction. Gadgets like batarangs, grappling hooks, and explosive gel further expanded the possibilities, letting players easily link together diverse and effective attacks.

One of the best features of this combat system was its use of counters. With a single button press, Batman could deflect a standard attack, continuing a combo and avoiding damage. When timed well, this made fights feel incredibly fluid and powerful, letting Batman quickly defeat many enemies without losing control. This formed the foundation for the series, and Arkham City built upon it by introducing enemies that couldn’t be countered as easily. Players had to use a wider range of attacks and dodges to maintain their counter streaks. The game also expanded opportunities for using the environment to take down enemies, thanks to the larger, more open world of Arkham City.

The game’s combat is easily adjustable in difficulty. Instead of making fights more complex, the challenge can be increased by requiring players to pay closer attention to enemy attacks. Adding weapons like guns and swords, or introducing tougher enemies, doesn’t fundamentally change the core gameplay – it just adds layers of complexity. This creates a combat system that’s simple to pick up but rewarding to master, a hallmark of great games. Batman’s gadgets, weapons, and takedowns enhance the fast-paced action, encouraging players to engage in combat more often. This system not only provides experience and unlocks new abilities but also motivates players to experiment with different techniques to maximize their combo streaks and find their preferred fighting style.

I Still Haven’t Found Gaming Combat I Like More Than Arkham City

It’s been almost fifteen years since Arkham City came out, and I still haven’t found a game with a better combat system. Arkham Asylum established the core mechanics, and Arkham Knight made it more intricate, but Arkham City really nailed it. Attacks and gadgets flowed together perfectly, and the timing for counters felt just right. It let Batman move fluidly between enemies, stringing together impressive combos. I fondly remember spending hours as a college student trying to climb the Xbox Live leaderboards, fighting through waves of enemies to get the highest score in the Combat Challenge Mode.

One of the most exciting parts of the game was chaining together powerful attacks quickly, encouraging players to master the combat system. Many games, especially those inspired by the ‘soulslike’ genre, focus on timing counters and combos, often making combat very difficult with heavy damage. While some games offer powerful abilities or make you feel invincible, Arkham City stood out by letting you develop a combat style that suited your own preferences.

As a gamer, I always felt Arkham City nailed the combat. It kept me challenged and on my feet, but I still felt powerful and like I was really dishing out the hurt. Plus, adding characters like Catwoman showed how that awesome combat system could work for anyone, with different ways to fight. Honestly, it’s one of the most captivating combat systems I’ve ever played. And even after 15 years, with tons of games trying to improve on what Arkham City did, I still haven’t found a combat style I enjoy more.

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2026-05-30 22:13