Is Gotham Knights a Failure? Examining the Mixed Reception and Legacy of the Game
The question of whether Gotham Knights constitutes a failure is complex and doesn’t yield a simple yes or no answer. While the game achieved some commercial success and has elements that resonate with players, its critical reception and the shadow of the Arkham series loom large, ultimately preventing it from reaching its full potential. In short, Gotham Knights cannot be deemed a complete failure, but it certainly fell short of expectations, resulting in a somewhat disappointing release. Let’s delve into the nuances of this performance, exploring both its strengths and shortcomings.
The Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag
Gotham Knights faced a barrage of mediocre reviews upon its release, landing with a 67 Metascore (later slightly improved to 69). This placed it among the worst-reviewed major games of 2022, an unenviable position for a highly anticipated title. Critics and players alike couldn’t help but draw unfavorable comparisons to the highly acclaimed Arkham Trilogy. Common criticisms focused on repetitive gameplay, subpar graphics, and a seemingly nonsensical crafting system. This immediate comparison, while perhaps unfair, ultimately defined the game’s narrative in the public eye, setting it on a course of uphill battles.
Design Shortcomings and Technical Issues
The technical aspects of Gotham Knights also faced considerable scrutiny. Many reviews highlighted a mixture of lighting problems, odd technical hangups, and strange design choices that ultimately detracted from the overall experience. These issues undermined what should have been an attractive game, especially when juxtaposed with the visual polish of its predecessor, Batman: Arkham Knight, which was released in 2015.
Commercial Performance: A Silver Lining
Despite the harsh reviews, Gotham Knights saw moderate commercial success. It was the second best-selling game in its first week of release in the UK, indicating initial player interest. In Japan, the PlayStation 5 version sold a respectable 3,125 physical copies during its release week, ranking it as the thirteenth best-selling retail game. These figures suggest that while critics were less than enthusiastic, there was still a consumer base eager to explore the world of Gotham without Batman.
The Weight of Expectation
The core issue for Gotham Knights seems to be the heavy shadow of expectation cast by the Arkham series. Many critiques boil down to comparisons like “The combat isn’t as complex,” “The traversal isn’t as fluid,” or “The bat bike isn’t the batmobile.” While valid points, these highlight the fact that Gotham Knights is not trying to be an Arkham game. The developers clearly stated it wasn’t connected, opting for a different direction. Unfortunately, for many players this change was not seen as an evolution or a unique take, but a downgrade. This resistance to the game’s distinct identity likely contributed to its mixed reception.
What Went Wrong?
The game certainly has its merits. Its sandbox approach to exploring Gotham has been praised, with many enjoying the freedom of movement and detailed environments. The narrative also manages to keep players engaged, even if it doesn’t reach the storytelling heights of other Batman-related games. However, the repetitive gameplay loop, combined with technical issues and the constant comparisons to Arkham, led to a sense of underachievement. The game offered a new take on the universe, but it struggled to justify its own existence outside of its more successful predecessors.
Is Gotham Knights Worth Playing?
Despite its flaws, Gotham Knights can still be an enjoyable experience, particularly for those willing to approach it with an open mind and free from the Arkham comparisons. While not a revolutionary title, it offers a decent superhero action adventure with unique traversal mechanics for each playable hero, a moderately engaging story, and plenty of content for completionists. Its merits are there for those who seek them, and there is no reason to fully discard Gotham Knights, but manage the expectations.
The Cancellation of the TV Series
Adding insult to injury, the Gotham Knights TV show was cancelled after only one season. The show, seemingly unrelated to the game, was axed by The CW, further compounding the somewhat negative narrative surrounding the Gotham Knights brand. While the show’s cancellation was likely due to a number of factors unrelated to the game itself, it certainly did not help the game’s overall reception.
Conclusion: Not a Failure, But a Missed Opportunity
Gotham Knights is not an outright failure, but it is not a success either. It is a missed opportunity. While it had strong commercial interest, the game was held back by harsh criticisms, and comparisons to better titles within the same genre. While it offers an interesting sandbox with a story that can keep the player engaged, the overall execution did not live up to expectations, resulting in a somewhat disappointing experience for many players.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 frequently asked questions about Gotham Knights to provide additional clarity:
1. Why was Gotham Knights disliked?
Gotham Knights was primarily disliked for its repetitive gameplay, subpar graphics, and the fact that it was often compared unfavorably to the Arkham series. The game’s design choices were scrutinized, with many finding it not as complex or fluid as the Arkham counterparts.
2. Did Gotham Knights sell well?
Yes, Gotham Knights achieved moderate commercial success. It was the second best-selling game in its first week in the UK and the thirteenth best-selling retail game in Japan during its release week.
3. Is Gotham Knights worse than Arkham?
Gotham Knights and the Arkham games are different in design. Arkham Knight features a denser, more visually accomplished map, while Gotham Knights opted for a more sandbox experience. Many feel Arkham Knight is superior overall due to its tighter focus and execution.
4. Will there be a Gotham Knights 2 game?
Currently, there are no official announcements for a Gotham Knights 2 game. The cancellation of the Gotham Knights TV series might reduce the likelihood, however this does not mean that the game franchise is permanently shelved.
5. Will Gotham Knights have DLC?
Gotham Knights has released a Deluxe Edition with included DLC. This includes the Visionary Pack that features exclusive gear, cosmetics, and skins inspired by the Batman Beyond animated series.
6. Does Gotham Knights have an original story?
Yes, Gotham Knights features an original story separate from the Arkham games and other Batman-related narratives.
7. What is the controversy with the Gotham Knights game?
One major controversy arose from the game’s depiction of Barbara Gordon’s return to Batgirl. Some fans criticized the game for employing the trope of heroes overriding their disability to return to active duty, which is called “inspiration porn”.
8. Why wasn’t Damian Wayne in Gotham Knights?
It’s believed that the character of Turner Hayes was created primarily due to rights issues or narrative direction, and not necessarily the exclusion of Damien Wayne for story purpose.
9. Why is Red Hood considered bad in Gotham Knights?
Despite being designed for ranged combat, Red Hood is often considered outclassed by other heroes in terms of damage and speed. Some feel he could benefit from a small buff or tweak to his kit.
10. Who is the hardest boss in Gotham Knights?
The hardest boss in Gotham Knights is widely considered to be Talia al Ghul, the final boss of the game.
11. Who is the best solo character in Gotham Knights?
The best solo character in Gotham Knights is largely a matter of personal preference and play style, but Nightwing is often touted as an all-rounder. Batgirl is close-range focused and Robin is long range.
12. Is the Joker in Gotham Knights?
The Joker does not appear as a villain in Gotham Knights. However, there are numerous references to him sprinkled throughout the game.
13. Does Gotham Knights have multiple endings?
Yes, Gotham Knights features individual endings for each character. This means that the ending cutscene is different depending on which character you chose for your final mission.
14. Did Gotham Knights end on a cliffhanger?
Yes, the ending of Gotham Knights features a cliffhanger with the heroes ambushed by mercenaries speaking a foreign language.
15. Will Netflix pick up Gotham Knights TV show?
No, the Gotham Knights TV show will likely stream on HBO Max, as most of The CW shows are available there after airing.