Should You Play Arkham Before Gotham Knights? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of whether you should play the Batman Arkham series before diving into Gotham Knights is a common one among DC fans. The short answer is: no, you don’t need to play the Arkham games before Gotham Knights, but there are some advantages. While Gotham Knights is not a direct sequel or connected to the Arkhamverse, understanding the history of Batman and Gotham City within that established universe can enrich your overall experience, even though the two games are set in separate continuities.
The Disconnect: Gotham Knights and the Arkhamverse
It’s crucial to understand that Gotham Knights exists in its own separate continuity. This means the events, character arcs, and overall history are different than what you experienced in Batman: Arkham Asylum, Batman: Arkham City, and Batman: Arkham Knight. The core event that underscores this difference is Batman’s death. In Arkham Knight, his fate is ambiguous, but in Gotham Knights, his death is a catalyst for the game’s events. So, don’t expect a continuation of the Arkhamverse narrative. Characters in Gotham Knights may reference familiar events and storylines, but these are homages rather than direct connections.
Advantages of Playing Arkham Before Gotham Knights
Despite being set in different universes, playing the Arkham games before Gotham Knights offers some benefits:
1. Familiarity with the Batman Universe
The Arkham games provide a rich and detailed depiction of Gotham City, its inhabitants, and, most importantly, Batman’s rogues gallery. Familiarizing yourself with these elements, even if they’re different in Gotham Knights, provides a solid foundation for understanding the context and character motivations. Knowing characters like Harley Quinn, Penguin, or Mr. Freeze through the lens of the Arkham games can add an extra layer of appreciation in Gotham Knights.
2. Understanding the Legacy
The Arkham series deeply explores the themes of legacy and burden that Batman shoulders. This provides a thematic context for Gotham Knights, which focuses on the next generation of heroes attempting to fill the void left by his absence. Understanding the weight of Batman’s mantle as portrayed in the Arkham games can make the challenges faced by Batgirl, Nightwing, Robin, and Red Hood in Gotham Knights feel more impactful.
3. Combat and Gameplay Foundations
While the combat systems differ, the Arkham games provide a solid primer on the type of rhythmic combat and predator scenarios that define Batman games. While Gotham Knights features different gameplay mechanics like the incorporation of momentum and elemental abilities, players familiar with the core principles from the Arkham games may find the combat easier to grasp initially.
4. Appreciating Design Differences
Playing the Arkham games first lets you appreciate the design differences of Gotham Knights. You’ll notice changes in traversal methods, combat systems, and character mechanics, which can lead to a deeper appreciation of the design choices made for Gotham Knights. You’ll also understand the distinctions that make the two series distinct.
Why You Don’t Need the Arkham Games
Despite these benefits, Gotham Knights is designed as a standalone experience. You won’t be lost or confused if you haven’t played the Arkham games.
1. Self-Contained Narrative
Gotham Knights tells its own unique story with a new threat and focuses on different aspects of Gotham City’s underworld. You’ll learn about the world, characters, and lore as you play, with no prior knowledge required. The game introduces its own version of key characters like Talia al Ghul and establishes its own rules.
2. Unique Gameplay Mechanics
Gotham Knights introduces unique gameplay systems that are distinct from the Arkham series. Features like elemental abilities, unique character specialties, and the emphasis on cooperative gameplay set it apart, negating the need for familiarity with previous games.
3. No Direct Story Connection
Since the stories are set in separate universes, understanding the intricate web of the Arkhamverse isn’t necessary for understanding the narrative in Gotham Knights. You can jump straight into the game and enjoy it without having played the Arkham games.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while playing the Arkham games can enrich your experience with Gotham Knights, it’s not a prerequisite. Gotham Knights stands alone as a distinct story with its own unique set of characters, plot, and gameplay. If you’re interested in a rich DC universe experience, playing the Arkham series first can be a great way to familiarize yourself with the world of Batman. However, don’t hesitate to jump straight into Gotham Knights if that’s what you are excited about.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Gotham Knights a sequel to Arkham Knight?
No, Gotham Knights is not a sequel to Arkham Knight. It exists in its own continuity separate from the Arkhamverse.
2. Does Gotham Knights have a connection to the Arkham games?
While Gotham Knights is not directly connected to the Arkham games, it may feature references to familiar events and characters, but these are not part of the same story or timeline.
3. Do I need to know Batman’s history from the Arkham games to understand Gotham Knights?
No, you do not need prior knowledge from the Arkham games to understand the story in Gotham Knights. The game is self-contained, and you’ll learn about the necessary history through its narrative.
4. What should I play first, Gotham Knights or Arkham Knight?
You can play either game first. If you’re aiming for a richer understanding of the Batman universe before delving into Gotham Knights, you might consider playing the Arkham series first. Otherwise, Gotham Knights is perfectly enjoyable as a standalone game.
5. Is Gotham Knights a grindy game?
Yes, Gotham Knights does have some loot and gear grinding aspects to it, which can be a central component of the gameplay loop.
6. How long is Gotham Knights?
The main story of Gotham Knights is around 16.5 hours long, while completionists may spend around 48 hours to achieve 100% completion.
7. Can you play as only one character in Gotham Knights?
Yes, you can play the entire game with only one character, though you can switch between them at any time. Playing as different characters does not impact progression.
8. Who is the best character to start with in Gotham Knights?
Batgirl is often recommended as a good starting character due to her early abilities that increase health and provide a self-revive.
9. Is Red Hood a bad character in Gotham Knights?
While some players feel he is slightly underpowered compared to the other characters, particularly in his ranged combat, he is a viable character that some players enjoy. Red Hood does not appear to be bad, but perhaps requires a buff.
10. What is the max level in Gotham Knights?
The max level in Gotham Knights is 30.
11. Is the map in Gotham Knights big?
Yes, Gotham Knights features a large and dense open world version of Gotham City, and it is often regarded as the largest version of Gotham in video games.
12. Is Gotham Knights better than Arkham Knight?
Whether one game is “better” than the other is subjective and dependent on personal preference. Arkham Knight has been lauded for its polished combat and performance, while Gotham Knights brings a different feel with its cooperative, loot-based gameplay.
13. Is the story in Gotham Knights canon to any other DC material?
The story in Gotham Knights is not considered canon to the main comic book storylines or other DC properties, including the Arkhamverse.
14. Can I switch characters often in Gotham Knights?
Yes, you can switch between the four playable characters at any time. You are not locked into a single character and can freely explore the game as each of them.
15. What are the key things I should know before playing Gotham Knights?
Some key things include prioritizing the “Knighthood” quest line to unlock vital abilities, trying to time your attacks, incorporating momentum abilities, and knowing that skill points are non-refundable.