What is the Longest Batman Arkham Game? A Comprehensive Guide
The question of which Batman Arkham game reigns supreme in terms of length is a common one among fans of the critically acclaimed series. While the perception of game length can be subjective, based on the data and consistent reports from players and sources, Batman: Arkham City stands out as the longest game in the core Arkham series. While Arkham Knight boasts a larger map, the core narrative and completion time for Arkham City including the main campaign and its rich side missions surpasses that of Arkham Knight. Let’s delve into a more detailed comparison and explore other related aspects of the Arkham series.
Comparing Playtimes Across the Arkham Series
To understand why Arkham City takes the crown, let’s examine the estimated playtimes of each main game in the series:
- Batman: Arkham Asylum: This is often cited as the shortest game in the series. Its relatively linear structure and single-player focus result in completion times in the range of 7-8 hours for the main story, with a little extra time for side content.
- Batman: Arkham City: The consensus is that Arkham City has a gameplay time around 40 hours. This includes approximately 25 hours for the main campaign and another 15 hours devoted to its numerous side missions. The sheer volume of side content, featuring prominent Batman villains, contributes to its extensive playtime.
- Batman: Arkham Origins: While some players find Origins slightly longer than Asylum, it generally sits in a mid-range of playtime, estimated to be between 12-15 hours for the main story and added time to complete side quests. It also has an optional multiplayer mode which also increases the game’s playtime, but not the main or single player’s story.
- Batman: Arkham Knight: Despite having a considerably larger open world (reportedly five times larger than Arkham City), Arkham Knight’s main story is more focused, resulting in a typical playtime of around 15-20 hours. The side missions and collection aspects increase the overall time but not in proportion to its expanded world.
The differences in these playtimes are significant, showcasing why Arkham City is generally considered the longest game in the main series, primarily due to the depth and number of side missions. While the playtime can vary based on play style, completing all the content in Arkham City will consistently take longer than any of the other Arkham games.
The Role of Side Content in Game Length
A critical factor contributing to Arkham City’s extended playtime is its expansive side content. Unlike Arkham Asylum, which has minimal side quests, Arkham City is brimming with optional missions that feature beloved Batman villains. These side missions aren’t just filler content; they’re often crafted with the same care as the main story, adding depth and breadth to the game. This makes it very compelling to complete these side missions.
Arkham Knight also has a generous amount of side content, such as the various most wanted quests and the riddler challenges. However, the side content in Arkham City and its main storyline consistently make its game completion length longer than Arkham Knight. Arkham Origins also features various side missions, but its overall playtime still falls short of that of Arkham City.
How Replayability Affects Perceived Length
While Arkham City may have the most content, replayability can also affect how long a game feels. Each game in the Arkham series offers unique reasons to return to them, including challenge modes, collectibles, different difficulty levels, and alternate suits.
While Arkham City is also the most replayable of the series (according to several rankings) due to the large number of side quests, this does not equal it’s base gameplay being longer than the other Arkham series. This means that its base single-player gameplay is the longest of the series, and its high replayability does not change this.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 15 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to provide further clarity and information about the Arkham series:
1. What is the shortest Arkham game?
Batman: Arkham Asylum is the shortest of the main Arkham games, with an estimated main storyline completion time of 7-8 hours.
2. Is Arkham City a long game?
Yes, Arkham City is a long game, with approximately 40 hours of gameplay. This includes about 25 hours for the main campaign and 15 hours for side missions.
3. Which Arkham game is the hardest?
Opinions vary, but many consider Arkham Origins to be the most difficult, especially due to its multiplayer element. Some also find Arkham Asylum challenging due to the difficulty of its challenge maps. Arkham Knight is also considered harder than City by many.
4. What is the longest combo in the Arkham series?
The longest recorded combo is a staggering 4,042 hits in the Iceberg Lounge VIP Room map on Batman: Arkham City.
5. Which Arkham game is the most replayable?
Batman: Arkham City is often ranked as the most replayable game in the Arkham series.
6. What is the hardest boss fight in Arkham City?
The Mr. Freeze boss fight in Arkham City is widely considered one of the most challenging in the series.
7. Which Arkham game has the best gameplay?
Many fans agree that Batman: Arkham Knight has the best gameplay, primarily due to its refined combat and predator sections.
8. Which Arkham game has the most Riddler content?
Arkham City has the most Riddler trophies, with 282, whereas Arkham Knight has 243.
9. Which Arkham game has the best Riddler missions?
Batman: Arkham Knight is noted for having the best and most engaging Riddler missions in the series.
10. Is Batman infected with Joker’s blood in the Arkham series?
Yes, in Arkham City, Batman is infected with the Joker’s tainted blood, which leads to his increased violence and instability in Arkham Knight.
11. Is Arkham Knight larger than Arkham City?
Arkham Knight’s world is significantly larger, about five times bigger, but this does not make it the longest to play through.
12. Who is the main villain in Arkham City?
While there are many villains in Arkham City, Hugo Strange is the primary antagonist who keeps the lockdown on the city.
13. Which Arkham game should you play first?
The recommended order to play the Batman Arkham games in story order is Arkham Origins, Arkham Asylum, and then Arkham City.
14. Which Arkham game has the best Batsuit options?
Batman: Arkham Knight offers the most varied and stylish Batsuit options.
15. Which Arkham game has the best open world?
Batman: Arkham Knight is often praised for its highly detailed and expansive open-world Gotham City.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while other games in the series may boast their own strengths, Batman: Arkham City is the undisputed longest game in the main Arkham series, thanks to its expansive main story and significant side missions. Its rich content and high replay value make it a must-play for any fan of the caped crusader and video game series. This combined with it’s high replayability, and its position as the middle of the trilogy makes it a fantastic all-rounder of the Arkham series.