Does Gotham Knights Carry On From Arkham Knight?
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No, Gotham Knights does not directly carry on from Batman: Arkham Knight. While it’s set in the same overall DC Batman universe, Gotham Knights is a completely separate entity with its own original story and continuity. It’s essential to understand that the game isn’t a sequel, a prequel, or even a spin-off in the traditional sense. Think of it as an alternate reality where certain events have unfolded differently than in the Arkham series. This distinction is crucial for understanding the narrative and appreciating the game on its own merits. The developers intentionally moved away from the established Arkham timeline to explore new storytelling opportunities with the Bat Family. Although the game takes inspiration from the Arkham series, it forges its own path and offers players a unique experience distinct from the beloved Batman games of the past.
Setting the Stage: A New Gotham
The core difference lies in the narrative premise. Gotham Knights begins with the apparent death of Batman, a scenario that dramatically alters the status quo from the end of Arkham Knight. Where Arkham Knight concluded the story of Batman battling his demons, Gotham Knights centers around his protégés — Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood — stepping up to protect Gotham in his absence. The change in focus to these four heroes is a core departure from the Arkham games’ singular focus on the caped crusader. The game’s story is not an extension or direct continuation of events from the Arkham games, despite the similarities in the game’s world and characters.
Inspiration, Not Iteration
While Gotham Knights does not continue the Arkham Knight’s narrative, the developers clearly drew inspiration from it, particularly in its combat, traversal and city design. This might lead players into feeling a connection between both, however, this is more on the feel of the game and not its continuity. However, it’s imperative not to consider this as a continuation. Gotham Knights presents its own unique tale, with different villain motivations and narrative conflicts. The game uses the rich history of Batman and Gotham, but it does so in a new and unexplored way, rather than piggybacking on the lore established in Arkham.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
To further clarify the relationship (or lack thereof) between Gotham Knights and the Arkham series, here are 15 frequently asked questions:
1. Is Gotham Knights set in the same universe as the Arkham games?
No, Gotham Knights is set in its own universe, separate from the continuity of the Batman: Arkham series. It’s an alternative reality, not a continuation of those games.
2. Does progress carry over from Arkham Knight to Gotham Knights?
Absolutely not. Gotham Knights is a completely new game with its own independent progress and save system. There is no connection to or transfer of data from any of the Arkham games.
3. Should I play Arkham Knight before Gotham Knights?
While not essential, playing Arkham Knight first might provide context and a deeper understanding of Batman and his world. However, the stories are completely unrelated, so you won’t miss any crucial plot points. However, you will get a grasp of the basic Batman storytelling, its world and characters. It also explains the lore of the death of Batman that starts Gotham Knights.
4. Does Batman die in Gotham Knights?
Yes, the game’s premise is that Batman is believed to be dead at the outset. However, he is later revived, albeit temporarily, under the influence of Talia al Ghul.
5. Is the Joker in Gotham Knights?
The Joker does not appear as a villain in Gotham Knights. However, there are references to him scattered throughout the game.
6. Why is Gotham Knights not a sequel to Arkham Knight?
The developers chose to set Gotham Knights in a separate universe to tell a new story, focusing on the Bat Family. This decision allowed them to move beyond the established narrative of the Arkham series and explore the dynamic of the heroes working as a team, a topic that was not extensively explored in previous games.
7. Can I play as all 4 characters in Gotham Knights?
Yes, you can switch between Nightwing, Batgirl, Robin, and Red Hood at any time after completing the first tutorial night patrol. You’re not locked into playing as just one hero.
8. Is it better to play as one character in Gotham Knights?
You can complete the entire game with just one character, without missing any content. However, each character has a unique playstyle and abilities, providing incentive to experiment with all four.
9. What carries over in New Game Plus in Gotham Knights?
In New Game Plus, you retain all your character progression (including skills and abilities), gear (suits, weapons, crafting blueprints), and crafted items. This makes subsequent playthroughs more engaging and efficient.
10. Who is the easiest character to play as in Gotham Knights?
Batgirl is generally considered the easiest character to play as. Her gliding ability makes traversal simpler, and she has skills that allow her to revive herself, making her more forgiving for new players.
11. Who is the weakest character in Gotham Knights?
Red Hood is considered by some players to be the weakest character due to his slower movement, limited traversal and less effective dodging capabilities when compared to the other heroes. However, each hero has a strength and weakness.
12. Is Jim Gordon in Gotham Knights?
Commissioner Jim Gordon is absent from Gotham Knights. In the game, it’s assumed that his duties in the police have been taken over by District Attorney Harvey Dent.
13. Does Arkham Knight look better than Gotham Knights?
While opinions vary, many consider that Arkham Knight might have better visual and performance quality than Gotham Knights. However, Gotham Knights is still a visually impressive game.
14. What is the best order to play the Batman Arkham video games?
The order for the Batman Arkham games by chronological events is: Batman: Arkham Origins, Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City and Batman: Arkham Knight. However, if you want to play according to release, the order is Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, Batman: Arkham Origins and Batman: Arkham Knight.
15. Why did Gotham Knights receive mixed reviews?
Gotham Knights received mixed reviews due to complaints about repetitive gameplay, subpar graphics, and a sometimes nonsensical crafting system. These issues led many players and critics to draw unfavorable comparisons to the Arkham series.
Conclusion
Gotham Knights is not a continuation of the Arkham series. It’s a brand new game, with its own story and continuity. While the game draws some thematic and aesthetic inspiration from the Arkham games, it should be experienced as an independent title. Understanding this distinction will allow players to appreciate Gotham Knights for its own merits and enjoy a new chapter in the Batman universe, centered on the combined efforts of the Bat Family.