Can You See Arkham Island in Arkham Knight? Unveiling the Geography of Gotham
Yes, Arkham Island is indeed visible in Batman: Arkham Knight. While it isn’t a playable area, and you can’t return to the Asylum itself, the island is a prominent feature in the game’s landscape. Specifically, you can see Arkham Island in the distance from the east side of Bleake Island, one of the three main islands that comprise the explorable Gotham in Arkham Knight. It serves as a poignant reminder of the series’ beginnings and the haunting events that transpired there. This visual connection to the past enhances the immersive experience, grounding players in the established lore of the Arkham universe. The developers intentionally included this to create a sense of continuity and to acknowledge the pivotal role Arkham Asylum played in the overall narrative. Now, let’s delve into the specifics and related questions that players often ponder about the locations in the Arkhamverse.
Understanding the Arkhamverse Map
The Batman: Arkham series, developed by Rocksteady Studios, features a distinctive geography that is central to its compelling narrative. Starting with the confined spaces of Arkham Asylum, the series progressively expands its horizons to encompass the wider cityscape. Each game builds upon the previous one, adding layers of complexity to the overall world-building. This makes understanding the relationship between Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Gotham crucial to fully appreciating the lore of this universe. Let’s explore this interconnected world further, tackling some frequent questions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 related FAQs to clarify the geography and timeline of the Arkham games, incorporating elements from the provided text:
1. Where Exactly Does Arkham Asylum Take Place?
The original Batman: Arkham Asylum takes place entirely on Arkham Island, where the infamous psychiatric hospital for the criminally insane is located. Although you can see the city skyline from the island, the game does not allow you to travel outside the island’s confines.
2. What Is the Setting for Batman: Arkham City?
Batman: Arkham City is set in a walled-off section of Gotham City, specifically designed to house the city’s criminal population. It’s not on Arkham Island but a designated area in the city itself.
3. Does Arkham Knight Feature Gotham City?
Yes, Batman: Arkham Knight allows you to fully explore Gotham City across three distinct islands: Bleake Island, Founders’ Island, and Miagani Island. This makes the playable area five times larger than that of Arkham City. Iconic locations from the comics and movies are featured, including the Lady of Gotham.
4. Can You Visit Arkham Asylum in Arkham City?
No, you cannot physically visit Arkham Asylum in Batman: Arkham City. However, a secret room contains a map that illustrates the distance between Arkham Island and the walled-off section of Arkham City. Also, it’s confirmed that Arkham Island is visible from Arkham City, further establishing its position within the game world.
5. Is Arkham City Featured in Arkham Knight?
While Arkham City is not explorable in Arkham Knight, it is visible in the distance. From the east side of Bleake Island, you can spot remnants of the walled-off city, serving as a constant reminder of past events.
6. Can You Explore Gotham City in Gotham Knights?
While Gotham Knights focuses on Gotham City, it does not include a playable Arkham Island. However, you can enter specific old cells inside Arkham, where references are made to characters like Jane Doe, Killer Croc, and Professor Pyg.
7. Why Is Arkham Asylum Abandoned in Gotham Knights?
Arkham Asylum is abandoned in Gotham Knights due to severe structural damage that deemed the building unsafe. Before sections collapsed, most inmates were moved to Blackgate Penitentiary, establishing its absence as a major location in this particular story.
8. How Far Apart Are Arkham Asylum and Arkham City?
Arkham City was created approximately a year and a half after the events of Arkham Asylum, and is a distinct part of Gotham, separated from the Island, but close enough for it to be seen in both games. The exact distance isn’t specified but the map in Arkham City and the view from Bleake Island in Arkham Knight give a sense of their relative proximity.
9. What Happened to Arkham Asylum After Arkham City?
After the shutdown of Arkham City, Arkham Asylum was also abandoned, and at that time, the damage caused by Poison Ivy’s vines was still visible from Arkham City, emphasizing the level of neglect of the old Asylum.
10. Is the Batcave Accessible in Arkham Knight?
The actual Batcave is not featured in Arkham Knight. However, there are three alternatives that serve the same function: The Clock Tower, Panessa Studios, and Bruce’s Office at the top of Wayne Tower.
11. Why Does Arkham Knight Appear Graphically Superior to Gotham Knights?
The superior art direction and denser map design are the reasons for Arkham Knight’s better visual quality, according to Digital Foundry. Gotham Knights, while providing more open spaces, sometimes feels less detailed, specifically regarding depth of field.
12. Is the Joker Actually Present in Arkham Knight?
The Joker encountered in Arkham Knight is a hallucination. This is a consequence of Batman being infected with Joker’s blood in the conclusion of Arkham City, thus the Joker is effectively dead in this game.
13. Were There Batman Skins in Arkham City?
Yes, Batman: Arkham City features various skins for Batman, Catwoman, Robin, and Nightwing. These skins can be used in story mode or challenge maps, adding customization options to the game.
14. Why Did Arkham City Get Shut Down?
Following the collapse of the law and order in Arkham City, martial law was overturned, and the GCPD took back jurisdiction of Gotham City. This led to the arrests of TYGER, the transfer of inmates away from Arkham City, the liberation of the falsely imprisoned, and ultimately, the complete shutdown of the site.
15. What Is Code Black in Batman?
Code Black is a contingency plan created by Batman in case of his death. Upon his passing, a transmission is sent to Nightwing, Batgirl, Red Hood, and Robin. The plan also involved the destruction of the Batcave, with the Belfry becoming their new base of operations.
Conclusion
While you cannot revisit Arkham Island in Batman: Arkham Knight in a playable form, the island remains a vital part of the game’s setting. Its visual presence in the distance serves as a powerful reminder of the series’ past and provides a sense of continuity within the Arkhamverse. The inclusion of the island, albeit non-interactive, reflects the detailed world-building that the Batman: Arkham series is known for, and enhances the overall immersive experience for players. This level of attention to detail, connecting the different iterations of the fictional setting, makes the franchise a compelling example of world creation within the video game medium.