Which Batman Arkham Game Should You Start With?
The Batman Arkham series is a cornerstone of modern superhero gaming, renowned for its compelling narrative, satisfying combat, and meticulous world-building. But with four main entries in the series – Arkham Asylum, Arkham City, Arkham Origins, and Arkham Knight – deciding where to begin can be daunting for newcomers. So, which Arkham game should you start with? The most direct answer is: Batman: Arkham Asylum.
While Arkham Origins chronologically precedes Asylum in the story timeline, starting with Asylum is the most optimal way to experience the series for several reasons. Arkham Asylum serves as a perfect introduction to the core gameplay mechanics and introduces the iconic characters and world with clarity. It lays the foundation for the rest of the series and allows players to witness the evolution of Batman’s story and gameplay over time. Jumping straight into Arkham Knight or trying to begin with Origins will either spoil some narrative developments or skip over key introductory content, making your experience less impactful. Therefore, begin with Arkham Asylum for the most enriching journey into Gotham’s dark heart.
The Case for Starting with Arkham Asylum
A Masterful Introduction to the World
Arkham Asylum presents players with a brilliantly confined setting: the titular Arkham Asylum island. This setting, while limited in scale compared to later installments, is a masterclass in design. It allows players to thoroughly grasp the core gameplay of freeflow combat, predator encounters, and detective work. You’re introduced to Batman’s gadgets and his methods gradually, without overwhelming you with the series’ full arsenal.
The Story is Intact
Asylum also features a self-contained story, making it perfect to start with. It’s not reliant on previous plot threads or character arcs and allows you to experience the core themes of the Arkhamverse without prior knowledge. The character development and the narrative’s arc are meticulously crafted, laying down important roots for the later games.
Experiencing the Series’ Evolution
By starting with Asylum, you appreciate how the gameplay evolved across subsequent entries. You go from the claustrophobic corridors of Asylum to the expansive open world of City and finally to the vastness of Knight. Each step feels like a logical progression, enhancing your understanding of not only the world, but also the development of Batman’s skills. If you jump into the gameplay of later games, going back will feel clunky and underdeveloped.
Why Not Start with Arkham Origins?
Designed as a Prequel
Arkham Origins is a prequel developed by a different studio and was not designed as an introductory point. It tells a compelling story of Batman’s earlier days, but it doesn’t effectively set up the other titles. While its boss battles are indeed praised, it can disrupt the series’ narrative pacing for newcomers. Origins is best enjoyed after experiencing Asylum and City. It enriches the series for players already familiar with the core gameplay and character dynamics.
Potential Spoilers
Starting with Origins before Asylum and City may inadvertently spoil character developments and plot twists. Certain character relationships and arcs gain more impact when experienced through the lens of Asylum and City first.
Avoiding Arkham Knight as Your First Game
The Climax of the Series
Arkham Knight is designed as the culmination of the series. It brings together several plot threads and character arcs established in the previous games. Starting with Knight first would rob you of important context and emotional depth. Its narrative assumes familiarity with the characters, relationships and events from the prior entries.
Overwhelming Gameplay
The game’s mechanics are also more advanced and complex than earlier entries, particularly with the Batmobile gameplay. It can be overwhelming to dive into Knight as your first Arkham game. It’s far better to gradually learn these mechanics in Asylum and City.
In Short: Play in Release Order
Ultimately, it’s best to play the Batman Arkham series in the order it was released:
- Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Batman: Arkham City
- Batman: Arkham Origins (optional, but highly recommended)
- Batman: Arkham Knight
This method provides the most natural flow to the story and gameplay evolution and makes each game feel like a compelling step in Batman’s journey. Starting with Asylum is the best way to begin your adventure through Gotham and its iconic characters.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it OK to skip Arkham Origins?
While Arkham Origins is optional for understanding the core story arc, it adds significant backstory and features some of the best boss battles in the series. It enriches the experience, particularly if you’re invested in the lore. However, it’s not necessary to play before Arkham Knight.
2. Should I play Arkham Knight first?
No, playing Arkham Knight first is not recommended. It’s the concluding chapter of the Arkham story, and playing it first will spoil major plot points and leave you without important contextual understanding.
3. Does it matter what order I play the Batman Arkham games?
Yes, it does matter. Playing in the order of release (Asylum, City, Origins, Knight) is the best way to fully enjoy the games’ story and gameplay progression. You can play Origins after City, if you like, since it is a prequel.
4. Is Arkham Asylum still good?
Absolutely! Arkham Asylum remains a fantastic game with strong narrative, characterization, and atmospheric level design. It holds up remarkably well, despite its age. It is a must-play to understand the series’ roots.
5. Which is better: Arkham City or Arkham Knight?
This depends on preference. Arkham City is often praised for its tight story and open-world design, while Arkham Knight excels in its gameplay mechanics, especially the Batmobile integration and predator encounters. If you are new, start with City, you will see the improvements in gameplay when you get to Knight.
6. Is Gotham Knights a sequel to Arkham Knight?
No. Gotham Knights is a separate game set in the DC Batman Universe, but it is not connected to the Arkham series. It has a different story and is set after the apparent death of Batman.
7. Why is Arkham Asylum considered better than Arkham City by some?
Arkham Asylum‘s strength is in its focused narrative, stronger characterizations, and confined, atmospheric setting. Some players prefer its linearity and tightly woven storytelling to City’s more open-world approach.
8. How many endings does Arkham Knight have?
Arkham Knight has two different endings. One is the standard end after completing the main story and the other requires you to complete all “Knightfall” Protocol requirements.
9. Can you play as Catwoman after beating Arkham City?
Yes, after completing the main story of Arkham City, you can switch between playing as Batman and Catwoman. Her sections are woven into the main narrative as a unique element to enjoy.
10. Why is Arkham Knight always night?
The Arkham games each represent a single night of Batman patrolling Gotham. This thematic choice adds to the games’ tension and atmosphere. It is part of the tone they try to convey to the player.
11. How does Arkham Knight compare to Gotham Knights?
Arkham Knight generally excels in its story, world-building, combat system, and performance when compared to Gotham Knights. Gotham Knights is a very different experience, playing as the Bat family instead of Batman himself.
12. Which Arkham game has the best gameplay?
Arkham Knight often takes the title for having the best gameplay mechanics, particularly its enhanced combat, predator encounters, and integration of the Batmobile. It is the most refined experience of all the games.
13. Is Arkham Knight longer than Arkham City?
Yes, Arkham Knight has a considerably larger world than Arkham City, which translates to a longer playtime. It has more side missions and a larger open-world map.
14. Is the story in the games important?
Yes, the story in the Arkham games is a major factor in the franchise’s success. Character development and narrative threads are complex and rewarding to experience in order.
15. Do I need to play Arkham City before Arkham Knight?
Yes, it is highly recommended to play Arkham City before Arkham Knight. Knight is a direct sequel that continues storylines and relationships started in City. Playing City first ensures you understand the events leading to Knight.