Is There a Game After Batman Arkham Knight? Exploring the Future of the Arkhamverse
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The short answer is yes, there is a game set after Batman: Arkham Knight, but it’s not a direct sequel in the traditional sense. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, developed by Rocksteady Studios, the same team behind the original Arkham trilogy, takes place in the same universe, five years after the events of Arkham Knight. However, it significantly shifts focus from Batman to the Suicide Squad. This raises some key questions and opens up a new chapter in the Arkham story, while also leaving room for interpretation on the classic “Arkham” experience. Let’s delve deeper into the implications and explore what this means for the future of the Arkhamverse.
The Evolution of the Arkham Storyline
From Batman to the Suicide Squad
While Batman: Arkham Knight concluded Bruce Wayne’s story as Batman, the Arkham universe didn’t end there. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League picks up the narrative thread, placing players in the role of iconic anti-heroes, such as Harley Quinn, Deadshot, King Shark, and Captain Boomerang, tasked with eliminating a Brainwashed Justice League. This game is a continuation of the world established in previous Arkham titles but focuses on a new perspective and style of gameplay.
The Timeline Connection
The critical point is that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is explicitly stated to be canon within the Arkham timeline. It directly follows the events of Arkham Knight, acknowledging the Knightfall Protocol and the apparent disappearance of Bruce Wayne. This confirmation solidifies its status as a continuation of the overall saga, even though Batman is no longer the central figure. It presents a unique opportunity to see the repercussions of Batman’s actions and the state of Gotham City from a different lens. It is important to note that while Batman does appear in the game it is posthumously and voiced by Kevin Conroy in his final performance as the character.
Understanding the Difference
Not a Direct Batman Sequel
It’s crucial to understand that Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is not a Batman Arkham 5 in the way that fans might have expected. The game shifts away from the single-player, action-adventure focus on Batman that the previous games were known for and introduces a multi-character, cooperative-focused experience. This means that the style of gameplay and storytelling differ significantly from the core Arkham trilogy.
A New Chapter, Not the Same Story
Rather than offering a continuation of Bruce Wayne’s personal story, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League expands on the overall Arkhamverse. It allows players to explore what happened after Batman seemingly vanished. The game explores the fate of the other characters who were part of the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League the Fifth Arkham Game?
Yes, it is officially considered the fifth main installment in the Batman: Arkham series, despite not having Batman as the main protagonist. It is set five years after the events of Batman: Arkham Knight.
2. Does Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League continue Batman’s Story?
Not directly. While it’s set in the same universe, it primarily focuses on the Suicide Squad’s mission, rather than Batman’s. However, his actions in Arkham Knight have significant implications for the events in the new game.
3. Is Batman Alive in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League?
Batman appears posthumously, with Kevin Conroy providing his voice for the final time, in Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
4. What Happened to Batman After Arkham Knight?
At the end of Batman: Arkham Knight, Bruce Wayne publicly reveals his identity and activates the Knightfall Protocol. The implications of this is that he has removed himself from the public eye.
5. Will there ever be a “True” sequel to Arkham Knight?
As of current reports and statements there are no plans to produce a “True” sequel to Arkham Knight that focuses on Batman. However, the future of the Arkhamverse is still open and Rocksteady may return to the character in a future title.
6. Why is Gotham Knights Not Part of the Arkham Series?
Gotham Knights is set in an entirely separate continuity from the Arkham games. It is a standalone story that is not connected to the universe established by the Arkham series.
7. Will There be a new Batman Arkham game?
Currently, no new Batman Arkham games focusing on Batman are in development at this time. Kevin Conroy, the voice of Batman, stated that there isn’t another Arkham game in the works and Rocksteady have made the decision to move on from the Arkham story.
8. Is there a Batman Arkham Remaster or Reboot coming?
The Batman Arkham Trilogy is launching on the Nintendo Switch in the fall of 2023. However, this is not a remake or reboot, it is a port of the original Arkham Trilogy.
9. What is Project Sabbath?
Project Sabbath was a canceled sequel to Batman: Arkham Knight. Leaked concept art revealed details about the intended game, but it was ultimately scrapped by WB Games.
10. Who is the developer of Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League?
Rocksteady Studios, the developer of the original Batman: Arkham trilogy, developed Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League.
11. What is the order to play the Arkham games?
The generally accepted order for playing the Arkham games is:
- Batman: Arkham Origins
- Batman: Arkham Origins Blackgate
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Batman: Arkham City Lockdown
- Batman: Arkham City
- Batman: Arkham VR
- Batman: Arkham Knight
12. What Happens to Jason Todd After Arkham Knight?
After the events of Arkham Knight, Jason Todd is held by the Joker for about a year and tortured, leaving him to believe that Batman had abandoned him.
13. What Happened to Scarecrow After Arkham Knight?
Scarecrow resurfaces nine months after the events of Arkham City. Following injuries from an encounter with Killer Croc, he has grafted his mask to the remains of his face.
14. Is Joker in Gotham Knights?
No, the Joker is not a main villain in Gotham Knights. However, there are references to him. The Joker has also been killed in the world of Gotham Knights, which is a major difference between this title and the Arkham universe.
15. How long does Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League take place after Arkham Knight?
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League is set five years after the events of Batman: Arkham Knight.
Conclusion
While Batman: Arkham Knight may have marked the end of Bruce Wayne’s arc in the Arkhamverse, it was not the end of the Arkham timeline. Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League serves as the next chapter in that universe, exploring the consequences of Batman’s actions and introducing a new perspective through the Suicide Squad. Though it’s not the direct sequel many anticipated, it continues the story, offering a fresh, but familiar, experience within this rich and expansive universe. For fans eager to know what came next, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League provides the answer, ushering in a new era for the Arkham series and proving that there is indeed a game set after the events of Arkham Knight, even if it is in an unconventional and unexpected form.