Should You Play A Matter of Family Before Arkham Knight?
Fast answer first. Then use the tabs or video for more detail.
- Watch the video explanation below for a faster overview.
- Game mechanics may change with updates or patches.
- Use this block to get the short answer without scrolling the whole page.
- Read the FAQ section if the article has one.
- Use the table of contents to jump straight to the detailed section you need.
- Watch the video first, then skim the article for specifics.
The question of whether to play the Batgirl DLC, “A Matter of Family,” before diving into Batman: Arkham Knight is a common one for fans of the Arkham series. The answer, however, isn’t as straightforward as a simple yes or no. While chronologically “A Matter of Family” takes place before the main events of Arkham Knight, the experience is best enjoyed after you’ve completed the main story of Arkham Knight. So, the short answer is: No, you should not play “A Matter of Family” before Arkham Knight. It’s best experienced as a post-game DLC.
Why Chronology Isn’t Everything
The chronological timeline of the Arkham games can be a bit confusing. “A Matter of Family” takes place before the events of Arkham Asylum and Arkham Knight. In this DLC, you play as Batgirl, and it’s meant to show a pivotal moment in Barbara Gordon’s past. However, the DLC’s design, mechanics, and its narrative weight are all intended to be experienced after players have completed Arkham Knight. Here’s why:
- Gameplay Familiarity: The core mechanics of “A Matter of Family” are built upon the gameplay engine refined in Arkham Knight. Playing the DLC first would essentially be jumping into a mechanics-heavy experience before mastering the basics within Arkham Knight. You’ll be more comfortable with the combat, predator sections, and overall flow if you’ve experienced the main game first.
- Narrative Impact: “A Matter of Family” relies on the player having an understanding of the characters and their relationships established in Arkham Knight. Playing it beforehand can diminish the impact it has on your understanding of events during the main game. The DLC provides context to Barbara Gordon’s character, but the payoff is more satisfying when you already appreciate what she endures in Arkham Knight.
- DLC as a Reward: Consider DLC as additional content designed to extend the experience. After you’ve completed Arkham Knight and are hungry for more of the Batman universe, the DLC feels like a reward or an extended epilogue. Playing it before can rob you of this feeling.
The Recommended Playing Order
For the most rewarding experience, follow the recommended release order with this caveat:
Play the main story of Arkham Knight first, then the DLCs, including “A Matter of Family.”
A Complete Playthrough of the Arkham Saga
If you are planning a complete series playthrough, here’s the optimal order:
- Batman: Arkham Origins (This is chronologically the first, but is often considered optional for new players)
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Batman: Arkham City
- Batman: Arkham Knight (Play the main game before any DLCs)
- Batman: Arkham Knight DLCs
- A Matter of Family
- Harley Quinn Story Pack
- Red Hood Story Pack
- GCPD Lockdown
- Catwoman’s Revenge
- Nightwing
- Batgirl
- Season of Infamy
This approach ensures you experience the evolution of gameplay mechanics and narrative threads in a way that feels most natural and fulfilling. You’ll have a better grasp of the overall story arc and be prepared for the nuances of each game.
FAQs: Delving Deeper into the Arkham Universe
To provide further clarity, here are 15 frequently asked questions about playing the Batman Arkham games, with a focus on “A Matter of Family” and Arkham Knight.
1. Is it okay to skip Arkham Origins?
While Arkham Origins is chronologically first, it’s often considered skippable if you just want to follow the core narrative. However, it offers some great boss battles and expands on the world, so it’s worth playing if you’re a completionist.
2. Can I play Arkham Knight without playing the other Arkham games?
You can play Arkham Knight without playing the others, but you’ll miss out on crucial story context, character development, and some gameplay elements that carry over from previous titles. Playing at least Arkham Asylum and Arkham City is highly recommended before Arkham Knight.
3. What’s the best order to play the entire Arkham series?
The best order is generally considered to be: Arkham Origins, Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, and Arkham Knight. Release order (minus Origins, as it came out third) is also a great approach. However, always play Arkham Knight and then any DLCs
4. Is Gotham Knights connected to the Arkham series?
No, Gotham Knights is a completely separate game set in its own continuity. It is not related to the Batman Arkham universe.
5. What is the best Arkham game DLC?
The “A Matter of Family” DLC for Arkham Knight is often considered one of the best, along with the Harley Quinn Story Pack. However, player preferences vary greatly. The DLCs offer unique storylines and playable characters.
6. Do I need to play Arkham Asylum before Arkham Knight?
Yes, playing Arkham Asylum provides a foundation for many of the story elements and character relationships, including Scarecrow’s role.
7. Should I play Arkham City before Arkham Knight?
Absolutely. Arkham City is crucial for understanding the events leading up to Arkham Knight. Character arcs and plot points are directly connected.
8. Are the Batman: Arkham VR games important to the main story?
Arkham VR is not essential to the core story. It’s a unique, immersive experience that offers some interesting character interactions, but not crucial for the mainline Arkham games.
9. Why is Arkham Knight considered the best in terms of gameplay?
Arkham Knight’s refined combat, predator sections, and the inclusion of the Batmobile make it arguably the most fluid and engaging from a gameplay perspective, despite the polarizing effect of the Batmobile.
10. Are there any differences in the DLCs across platforms?
No, the content of DLCs like “A Matter of Family” is consistent across all platforms on which they are available.
11. Does the order in which I play the DLCs in Arkham Knight matter?
The order in which you play the Arkham Knight DLCs doesn’t matter greatly, as they are generally standalone experiences. However, some prefer the “A Matter of Family” before all the other DLCs because of it being chronologically the earliest.
12. Will there be another Arkham game?
Currently, there are no official plans for another mainline Arkham game.
13. How many endings does Arkham Knight have?
Arkham Knight has two endings that occur after completing the main storyline and specific side missions.
14. Can you play as Catwoman after beating Arkham City?
Yes, after completing the main story in Arkham City, you can explore as Catwoman and switch between her and Batman.
15. Is Joker alive in Gotham Knights?
No, in Gotham Knights, The Joker is dead, having been killed by Batman, setting it apart from traditional adaptations.
Conclusion
While “A Matter of Family” is chronologically positioned earlier, it’s best enjoyed after completing the main narrative of Batman: Arkham Knight. Following this approach will lead to a more rewarding and cohesive experience. The gameplay mechanics, the narrative weight, and the overall pacing of the game are designed with the expectation that the player has already played the core game before delving into the DLC. Enjoy your journey through the Arkham universe!