Should You Play Arkham Knight First? A Comprehensive Guide
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No, you should not play Arkham Knight first. While technically a standalone game, Arkham Knight is the culmination of the Batman: Arkham trilogy. Playing it without experiencing Arkham Asylum and Arkham City will rob you of significant narrative impact, character development, and a proper understanding of the Batman/Joker dynamic that fuels much of the story. Starting with Arkham Knight would be akin to watching the final season of a TV show without having seen any previous episodes; you’ll be lost and miss out on crucial context.
Why Starting with Arkham Knight is a Bad Idea
Many factors contribute to the experience of playing the Arkham games.
Narrative Loss
The Arkham games boast a rich and complex overarching storyline that builds upon itself with each installment. Arkham Knight directly references and concludes plot threads introduced in Arkham Asylum and continued in Arkham City. You’ll miss out on knowing why characters behave the way they do, understanding the significance of certain events, and appreciating the evolution of Batman’s relationships with his allies and enemies. The Arkham Knight himself, as a character, loses much of his impact without the history provided by previous games. His identity and motivations are intrinsically linked to events from Arkham Asylum.
Character Development
Over the course of the trilogy, Batman, Joker, and other key characters undergo significant development. Starting with Arkham Knight means you’ll be dropped into their stories without witnessing their transformations. For example, the Joker’s role in Arkham Knight is deeply rooted in his actions and impact in Arkham Asylum and, more importantly, Arkham City. Understanding the history between Batman and the Joker, particularly the events of Arkham City, is vital to appreciating the psychological torment Batman endures in Arkham Knight.
Gameplay Evolution
Each Arkham game introduces new gameplay mechanics and refines existing ones. Arkham Knight, while building upon its predecessors, expects players to be familiar with core mechanics like the Freeflow combat system and the Predator stealth sequences. Jumping straight into Arkham Knight’s more complex gameplay systems, including the Batmobile combat, without mastering the basics can be frustrating.
Spoiling Previous Games
Arkham Knight contains major spoilers for both Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. Experiencing these games after knowing the outcomes of key events will diminish their impact and reduce the enjoyment of discovering the story for yourself. Certain character deaths and major plot twists are revealed or alluded to in Arkham Knight, ruining the surprises of the earlier games.
The Ideal Order: Playing the Arkham Games Chronologically
To fully appreciate the Arkham universe, the best approach is to play the games in chronological order:
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Batman: Arkham Asylum: This is where it all began. Experience the claustrophobic setting of Arkham Asylum and meet the rogues’ gallery of villains that plague Batman’s life. It establishes the foundation for the entire series.
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Batman: Arkham City: Expand the scale to a sprawling prison city and delve deeper into the complex relationships between Batman and his enemies. This game features a particularly significant plot development that directly impacts the events of Arkham Knight.
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Batman: Arkham Origins: Although not developed by Rocksteady, it’s a prequel that explores Batman’s early years. It’s optional, but it does provide additional context and character development, especially regarding Batman’s relationship with Alfred and certain villains like Deathstroke.
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Batman: Arkham Knight: The grand finale, bringing together all the threads and offering a darker, more mature story with a focus on Batman’s psychological state.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Playing Arkham Knight
1. What if Arkham Knight is the only Arkham game available to me?
If Arkham Knight is your only option, you can still play it, but be aware that you’ll be missing out on a significant amount of context and will likely be confused by certain plot points and character motivations. Try reading summaries of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City beforehand to familiarize yourself with the core storyline.
2. Does Arkham Knight recap the previous games?
While Arkham Knight does provide some brief flashbacks and references to previous events, it does not offer a comprehensive recap. These flashbacks are intended for players already familiar with the previous games, not as a replacement for experiencing them.
3. Is the gameplay in Arkham Knight significantly different from the other games?
Yes, Arkham Knight introduces the Batmobile as a central gameplay element, changing how you traverse the city and engage in combat. However, the core mechanics of Freeflow combat and Predator stealth remain largely the same, though more refined.
4. What about Batman: Arkham Origins? Where does that fit in?
Batman: Arkham Origins is a prequel developed by WB Games Montréal. It is technically optional but provides a good insight into Batman’s early career and his relationship with some key figures in his life. It is set before Arkham Asylum.
5. Are the DLCs in Arkham Knight important to the main story?
Some DLCs in Arkham Knight add to the overall experience, but they are not essential to understanding the main plot. The story-based DLCs offer additional perspectives on what happened after the main events of Arkham Knight and explore the fates of some key characters.
6. Will I be completely lost if I start with Arkham Knight?
You won’t be completely lost, as the game does attempt to establish the basic premise and characters. However, the emotional impact and narrative depth will be greatly diminished without the context of the previous games.
7. Is it worth playing Arkham Asylum and Arkham City after Arkham Knight?
Absolutely! Even knowing the outcomes, Arkham Asylum and Arkham City are still incredibly well-designed and engaging games with compelling stories. Playing them after Arkham Knight will give you a deeper appreciation for the characters and events that led to the finale.
8. Does Arkham Knight explain the origin of the Arkham Knight character?
Yes, Arkham Knight does reveal the identity and backstory of the titular character. However, this reveal has significantly more impact if you’ve played Arkham Asylum and understand the character’s connection to those events.
9. What is the significance of the Joker in Arkham Knight if he’s seemingly dead?
The Joker plays a central role in Arkham Knight, despite his apparent death in Arkham City. Understanding the events of Arkham City and the relationship between Batman and the Joker is crucial to understanding his role in Arkham Knight.
10. Are the Arkham games connected to any other Batman media?
The Arkham games are largely self-contained, but they draw inspiration from various Batman comics and movies. While familiarity with other Batman media can enhance your appreciation for the games, it is not required to understand the story.
11. Is it better to play the Arkham games on a specific platform?
The Arkham games are available on multiple platforms, including PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The best platform depends on your personal preference and the hardware you have available. The PC version offers higher graphical fidelity, while the console versions are optimized for their respective hardware.
12. Will I miss out on important story elements if I skip side missions?
While the main story is the focus, some side missions in the Arkham games provide additional context and character development. Completing these side missions will enrich your understanding of the world and the characters that inhabit it.
13. How long does it take to beat each Arkham game?
Arkham Asylum typically takes around 12 hours to complete the main story, Arkham City around 25 hours, and Arkham Knight around 20 hours. Completionists can expect to spend significantly more time exploring the open world and completing all side missions.
14. Are there any remasters or collections of the Arkham games?
Yes, there are several collections available, including Batman: Return to Arkham, which contains remastered versions of Arkham Asylum and Arkham City. These collections are a great way to experience the first two games with improved graphics.
15. Should I read any Batman comics before playing the Arkham games?
Reading Batman comics is not necessary to enjoy the Arkham games, but it can enhance your appreciation for the characters and the world. Key comic storylines like The Killing Joke, Knightfall, and No Man’s Land share thematic elements with the games.