Is the Arkham Series Over? Exploring the Fate of Rocksteady’s Batman Legacy
The question on many fans’ minds since the release of Batman: Arkham Knight is a simple one: Is the Arkham series over? The short answer is yes, the main series, as we know it, has concluded. Batman: Arkham Knight was intended to be the final chapter in Rocksteady Studio’s core Batman saga. However, the universe itself continues to evolve and expand through other games and mediums, making the full picture a little more complex.
The End of an Era: Why the Main Arkham Series Concluded
Rocksteady’s Vision
The decision to conclude the Arkham saga wasn’t imposed by Warner Bros. or DC Comics, but rather was a creative choice by Rocksteady Studios themselves. Dax Ginn, a key figure at Rocksteady, explained that the studio had a vision for how the story should end, and both Warner and DC supported this decision. This indicates a deliberate and planned conclusion, rather than a cancellation, solidifying Batman: Arkham Knight as the intended final chapter in the primary narrative arc.
High Production Costs and Time Commitment
Another significant factor is the sheer expense and time required to develop games of the quality associated with the Arkham series. Kevin Conroy, the iconic voice of Batman, highlighted the immense cost and years of development needed for these titles, using Arkham Knight’s two-year development time as an example. The level of detail, the scale of the open-world environment, and the complex narrative components all contribute to the massive investments required. This makes the creation of a direct sequel a significant financial and logistical undertaking.
A Shift in Focus
Rocksteady, having completed their initial vision for the Batman story, moved on to new projects. They are now focusing on the Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League game, set in the same Arkham universe after the events of Arkham Knight. While the story is related, it doesn’t focus on Batman, signaling a shift in the studio’s creative output.
The Arkham Universe Continues to Expand
While a direct Batman: Arkham 5 is not in the works, the universe established by Rocksteady lives on. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is a crucial piece of this puzzle. Set five years after the events of Arkham Knight, the game, while not featuring Batman as the main protagonist, does include him as a posthumous character voiced by Kevin Conroy in his final role as Batman. This shows that the narrative threads of the Arkham universe are still being explored and developed, although through different characters and storylines.
The Batman: Arkham Trilogy compilation for Nintendo Switch brings the first three games to a new platform, further cementing the legacy of the games and providing fans with an opportunity to revisit them. There is also the Batman: Return to Arkham collection for other platforms that includes remastered versions of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, ensuring that the early entries in the series stay relevant and accessible.
The Evolving World of Batman Games
The legacy of the Arkham series has had a major influence on other Batman games. Gotham Knights was an attempt to bring a different perspective to the Batman universe, focusing on the Bat-family rather than Batman himself. Although not directly connected to the Arkham series, it clearly draws inspiration from the success of those games and has tried to explore new gameplay mechanics and stories within the larger Batman world.
However, Gotham Knights and games like Injustice that feature Batman, do not follow the continuity established by the main Arkham series. They often exist in separate universes with different takes on the Batman mythos.
Conclusion
The core Batman: Arkham series, as envisioned by Rocksteady, is indeed over with Batman: Arkham Knight marking the end of that storyline. However, the Arkham universe persists through new narratives like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League and remastered collections, ensuring that the legacy of Rocksteady’s groundbreaking games endures. While a Batman: Arkham 5 is not in development, the rich world built by Rocksteady continues to evolve and inspire, offering different takes on the beloved characters and their stories. Therefore, while the main series is concluded, the overall Arkham experience is far from over.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will there ever be a Batman: Arkham 5?
There are currently no plans for a direct Batman: Arkham 5. Batman: Arkham Knight was the intended conclusion to the main story arc created by Rocksteady Studios. While the universe continues in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, it is not a traditional sequel featuring Batman as the main character.
2. Is Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League a sequel to Arkham Knight?
Yes, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is considered a sequel in the Arkham universe, taking place five years after the events of Batman: Arkham Knight. However, it shifts the focus from Batman to the Suicide Squad and their mission to stop the Justice League.
3. Is Gotham Knights part of the Arkham series?
No, Gotham Knights is an entirely new story and experience set in DC’s Batman universe, but it is not connected to the Batman: Arkham games. It features different characters and a unique plot, focusing on the Bat-family after the presumed death of Batman.
4. Did Batman die in Arkham Knight?
In Batman: Arkham Knight, Batman appears to die at the end of the story. However, the new trailer for Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League shows Batman alive, though his role is different from his previous appearances in the series. It is not clearly stated how he survived and why it appeared he was dead.
5. What is Batman: Return to Arkham?
Batman: Return to Arkham is a compilation that includes remastered versions of Batman: Arkham Asylum and Batman: Arkham City, featuring enhanced visuals and all previously released downloadable content (DLC).
6. What is the Batman: Arkham Trilogy on Nintendo Switch?
The Batman: Arkham Trilogy for Nintendo Switch is a compilation that brings Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight to the Nintendo Switch platform in one package.
7. Why was the Arkham series not continued?
Rocksteady Studios chose to end the Arkham story with Batman: Arkham Knight. The development of these games is incredibly costly and time-consuming, requiring large investments and extensive periods of development.
8. Who developed the Arkham games?
The main Arkham series games (Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight) were developed by Rocksteady Studios. Batman: Arkham Origins was developed by WB Games Montreal, but is not considered a core entry to the overall Arkham narrative.
9. Is Kevin Conroy in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League?
Yes, Kevin Conroy provides the voice of Batman in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League posthumously, making it his final performance as Batman.
10. Is Arkham Asylum still present in Gotham?
In the storyline of the series, the old Arkham Asylum is destroyed and replaced by a new facility, however, it is not a prominent location in the later games. The amusement park rides are being re-themed.
11. How old is Batman in the current DC film universe?
Batman in The Batman is around 30 years old, depicted as a younger and less experienced crime fighter than in previous iterations. The new DC film universe is expected to feature a different Batman in the future.
12. What will replace the Arkham Asylum ride?
A new precinct themed around the Wizard of Oz will replace the Arkham Asylum rollercoaster in an amusement park. It is pegged to open in 2024 with new rides.
13. Why is Arkham Asylum considered better than Arkham City by some fans?
Some fans prefer Arkham Asylum for its stronger story, more compelling characterization, and a more focused atmosphere. The villains generally play a more meaningful role in the narrative.
14. Was Deadshot arrested again after Arkham City?
After the Arkham City incident, Deadshot, being a contracted killer rather than an actual inmate, was released and his gear was confiscated by GCPD. There is no mention of a later arrest.
15. Will there be a Batman reboot?
Yes, a new version of Bruce Wayne/Batman will be included in the new DCU, with the film Batman: The Brave and the Bold, that was announced by new DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran. This new Batman will exist outside of the continuity established in the Arkham games.